How to Tell Your Story

It’s Not Narcissistic to Talk About Yourself

Despite allegations that the American society is full of narcissists raised on a steady diet of Instagram and reality TV, most people feel a little apprehensive about talking about themselves. Starting from when we’re children, we’re socialized to speak only when spoken to and minimize what we say about ourselves. The end result is that no one ever says anything but “fine” when asked how they are today, and it’s trendy to be either self-effacing or clinical in your social media bio.

If you’re trying to market yourself in any way — and we all are, whether we’re searching for jobs, pitching our startup idea, or trying to get a date — you’re shooting yourself in the foot if you insist upon this detached view of yourself. Consider the following scenarios:

You’re writing a cover letter or answering the dreaded “Tell me about yourself” question in an interview. You say, “I received my degree from University A, and I interned at Company B. I’m currently looking for a job in Industry C.”

You’re trying to convince someone to invest in your big idea. You say, “This company will solve problems for people. It’s a passion of mine, and I believe that our hard work will lead to success.”