JeremyWong
New member
A career coach gave me feedback that stuck: "You tell me you're a leader, but you never show me." I was using all the right adjectives—hardworking, creative, detail-oriented—but none of them meant anything without proof. That's when I learned the power of "show, don't tell."
Instead of "I'm a great communicator," I started writing "I presented weekly updates to stakeholders and simplified complex data into actionable insights." Instead of "I'm organized," I wrote "I managed schedules for a team of eight and coordinated five successful events."
The difference is evidence. Anyone can claim to be hardworking. Not everyone can describe a time they stayed late to meet a deadline or reorganized a chaotic system. Specific stories create trust.
Now when I write cover letters, I challenge every adjective. If I can't back it up with an example, it doesn't belong. Show them what you've done, and let them conclude you're amazing. It's so much more powerful than just saying it.
Instead of "I'm a great communicator," I started writing "I presented weekly updates to stakeholders and simplified complex data into actionable insights." Instead of "I'm organized," I wrote "I managed schedules for a team of eight and coordinated five successful events."
The difference is evidence. Anyone can claim to be hardworking. Not everyone can describe a time they stayed late to meet a deadline or reorganized a chaotic system. Specific stories create trust.
Now when I write cover letters, I challenge every adjective. If I can't back it up with an example, it doesn't belong. Show them what you've done, and let them conclude you're amazing. It's so much more powerful than just saying it.