After you have made up a list of your competencies, start to strike cruelly everything unnecessary off: facts that are related to the matter indirectly or are not related at all; things that many people or everyone can do; things that you cannot do professionally; facts that are represented with different words, but in fact were already mentioned. Having finished, begin to search your own zest, or, as marketers say, USP (unique selling proposition). Think what you can do better than other things or better than other people. It is wonderful if you can do something that no one else can. If at the end you have several items, read them attentively and try to combine them into one short phrase.

Examples of good statements:

  ·   I work as a lawyer. I specialize in difficult cases, I can solve the knottiest juridical problem.

   ·   I am a HR manager. I know, how and where to find the rarest specialist.

   ·   I am a sales manager. I can sell anything to anybody.

   ·   I work as an image consultant. I can teach anyone to dress stylishly and be irresistible.

Black PR

Honour is above all! Never leave attacks of your enemies on your reputation without response. In most cases people believe rumours with pleasure. People are people. You should just keep this in mind and be ready to protect yourself. In the case of such “sabotage” act quickly, without any delay. Do not wait till the gossips are spread. Try to prove your case. Do it calmly and confidently not to give the impression that you are trying to justify yourself. Operate with facts, give proofs, appeal to the common sense. If the enemy is self-assured and does not expect anything from you, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to attack. Astonish your opponent with a sudden onslaught, point out his mistakes and failures. But do not come down to mutual insults. Be above this. It is enough to bare your teeth just once for everyone to see that you can stand up for yourself.

It can also happen that everything that was said about you is not a lie. In this case you should not keep it to yourself. Try to find positive features in what has happened, to convince the “jury” that this experience will help you not to make similar mistakes in future. Conduct yourself with dignity, do not overact in demonstrating repentance, be calm and constructive. This will be surely appreciated, and most likely you will be forgiven.

Shine all the time!

Image maintenance is not only a large work, but also permanent. Do not think that if you once presented yourself, you would become famous forever. Though this can also take place. In most cases one’s reputation requires constant support and attention. Otherwise you will be forgotten very quickly. Nature abhors a vacuum. Do not lose the chance to make a show of your values, wherever you are. Use every opportunity for doing this, even if you are not sure that people want to know anything about you. Develop professionally and tell your friends, acquaintances, colleagues and relatives about your achievements – in general, everything that can make you famous outside your circle. If you did something remarkable or achieved something really significant, let it be noticed by others. People will remember it and tell about it.

Create your own web-page! Even if your specialization seems to you unimportant and not so interesting to the crowds, surely there will be people interested in your activity. Put your “medals” onto your website, show yourself in the most favourable light. Give information about your e-mail address or make a guestbook. And do not forget about a good photo. Update your site constantly, adding new information and deleting old one.

Make it easy to get in to touch with you, if someone wishes to do it. Be approachable for new contacts and offers. After all, you can and you need to advertise yourself! Each of us is unique and should, even must, represent himself as perfect. You just need to do this skillfully and tastefully!

Test

Can you sell yourself?

People often estimate us not according to our real values and advantages, but to the fact, how much we manage to make an advantageous impression, demonstrate our valuable qualities and influence others. Many nice people are not held in respect because of their shyness and timidity. Others, on the contrary, try to do their best to create vivid impression, but go too far and annoy everybody with their ambitions. Can you present yourself properly in communication with other people?

When answering the questions or agreeing/disagreeing with the statements choose “yes”, “no” or “sometimes”.

- Having read a witty opinion or a funny joke, you try to remember them in order to use them in conversation on occasion.
- On celebrations you naturally get a part of a master of ceremonies.
- It is easier for you to forgive mockery, than cold indifference.
- Can you easily start a conversation with a stranger?
- Would like to be on the place of quiz programs participants and compete for the big prize?
- You spend a lot of time on taking care of your appearance.
- Can you easily formulate your thoughts and find necessary words?
- You prefer expensive and effective jewelry.
- People willingly listen to your words and consider your opinion.
- You try to be aware of all current political and cultural events to be able to keep up the conversation on any topic.
- At school, at university and at work you were more than once elected to public work.
- Did you dream early in life of a movie star career?
- Are your pleased with your appearance?
- Can you easily find common interests with representatives of another profession, of another generation?
- Do you like to tell jokes?
- You can have your will without infringement of others’ interests.
- Do your colleagues and acquaintances ask you for help, for advice?
- If you like another person (especially of the other sex), you openly let him or her know that. 
- You can perform in public quite well.
- Do you agree with the statement “Modesty must be a value of people who have no more values”?

Every “yes” gives you 2 points,

“sometimes” gives you 1 point,

“no” gives you 0 points.

Over 30 points. You are a person with high self-appraisal and big pretensions. You value the attention of others and aspire to get it. But it makes you vulnerable, since sympathy and praises flatter you, but disapproval can hurt. Your behavior is demonstrative, and, sorry to tell you, can be even indiscreet. To establish really good relations with people try to let others show their worth, but do not forget about your own advantages.

20-30 points. You know how not to get lost among other people, but do not tend to narcissism and aplomb. You can easily find common language with people. Most of your friends and acquaintances think you are a nice and charming person and they are surely right.

Less than 20 points. You are too diffident, and it distinguishes you. It prevents you from defending your point of view, to gain respect and sympathy of others. You learnt to hide your weaknesses, but at the same time disguised your values. After all everybody has values, including you!

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