How To Stop Selling Yourself Short At Work (With Examples)

No one wants to be “that person” who boasts excessively about themselves, but in today’s workplace, being overly modest can be just as harmful. Consistently undervaluing your contributions can hinder your career progression and, ironically, frustrate your colleagues as much as someone who brags incessantly.

In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to stop undervaluing yourself at work—without coming off as arrogant—and provide examples of what it means to undervalue your contributions.

Key Takeaways

• Being confident and transparent about your skills fosters trust and propels your career forward.

• Undervaluation often stems from a lack of belief in your skills, ideas, and experiences.

• Downplaying your achievements or avoiding opportunities to challenge yourself can lead to self-sabotage.

How to Stop Undervaluing Yourself at Work

For those who find themselves undervaluing their worth, whether intentionally or not, it can be difficult to identify the next steps. After all, this behavior may have been a long-standing habit. Even when aware of the issue, knowing how to shift your approach can be elusive.

Here are some actionable strategies to help you better represent yourself and your accomplishments:

1. Be accurate, but confident. When discussing your skills and achievements—whether in person or digitally—project confidence. While you should never claim credit for something you didn’t do, this is not the time to downplay your qualifications.

2. Own your achievements. When you accomplish something significant or add substantial value to your organization, take note of it. Consider maintaining a “kudos folder” for all positive feedback you receive. This can serve as a morale booster when you need a reminder of your worth.

   Storing screenshots of impressive metrics or links to successful projects can reinforce your sense of achievement.

3. Seek constructive feedback. If you feel your efforts aren’t being recognized, proactively request a performance review from your manager. This can help you understand how to better showcase your contributions.

   Check out this article on tooting your own horn for insightful tips on gaining recognition without seeming boastful.

4. Accept compliments graciously. Resist the urge to diminish compliments. Practice simply saying thank you while maintaining eye contact. Additionally, remember to give genuine compliments; they can uplift others and create a positive work environment.

5. Embrace new challenges. When opportunities arise to take on new responsibilities, seize them. Learning from these experiences will bolster your confidence in both familiar and unfamiliar situations.

   You can start small by acquiring new skills during your leisure time or contributing more actively in meetings, especially if public speaking is a challenge for you.

6. Ensure your resume is updated and clear. This is particularly crucial if you’re in the job market. Your resume is often the first impression potential employers have of you, so it should accurately reflect your qualifications.

7. Acknowledge your weaknesses. While it’s commendable to strive for improvement, don’t let your weaknesses define you. Aim for others to remember your strengths and successes instead of your shortcomings.

What Does “Undervaluing Yourself” Mean?

The term “undervaluing yourself” draws from the concept of stock market short-selling, where traders borrow and sell stocks they predict will decline in value. Once the price drops, they repurchase the stock at a lower rate to replace what they borrowed.

In essence, short-selling indicates a lack of belief in the value of an asset—whether that’s a stock or, in this context, yourself.

When someone suggests you’re undervaluing yourself, it implies they believe you’re not presenting yourself accurately in relation to your achievements, accomplishments, or potential.

Ultimately, it’s not about others doubting you; it’s about the doubts you hold about yourself—or at least, how those doubts manifest to others.

Ways You’re Undervaluing Yourself at Work

You might have been told recently that you’re undervaluing your worth. This can happen even to individuals with high self-esteem.

It often stems from a disparity in perception—specifically, when your self-assessment of achievements or worth contrasts with reality or others’ perceptions.

Here are several common behaviors that can lead others to perceive, justifiably or not, that you’re undervaluing yourself:

1. Minimizing personal achievements. Whether in conversation or on a resume, downplaying your work accomplishments can project insecurity. While modesty is admirable, it’s essential to acknowledge both your successes and shortcomings. Accepting praise can be challenging, but it’s a crucial step in ceasing to undervalue yourself.

2. Qualifying your statements. Using phrases like “maybe…” or “I feel like…” can weaken your assertions about your abilities. Avoid prefacing your ideas with disclaimers such as “this probably won’t work, but…” Allow yourself to share ideas freely without self-censorship. If you don’t value your ideas, others won’t either, leading to a cycle of diminished confidence.

3. Concealing achievements. A poorly formatted resume can hinder job seekers. Even if you’re confident, if your accomplishments aren’t presented clearly, you’re still undervaluing yourself. Boldly showcasing quantified achievements on your resume is essential, as it highlights your value to potential employers.

4. Declining opportunities. It’s easy to remain in your comfort zone. Once you’ve mastered your primary job responsibilities, tackling new challenges can be intimidating. However, stepping outside your comfort zone is vital for growth. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and embracing new challenges is the best way to learn and gain confidence.

5. Shying away from conversation. While being an active listener is valuable, it’s important to engage in conversation as well. When discussing your work, be enthusiastic and confident. If you consistently defer to others, people may question your ability to handle responsibilities independently.

6. Failing to communicate your needs. Whether it’s asking for a promotion or requesting support, not articulating your desires can have real consequences. Hesitation in contributing ideas during meetings can hinder future opportunities for advancement, creating a detrimental cycle.

7. Ignoring external perceptions. Remember, undervaluing yourself isn’t solely about your self-perception; it’s also about how others perceive your contributions. If they fail to recognize your value due to how you present your work, you are, in effect, undervaluing yourself.

8. Neglecting to negotiate salary offers. If you receive a job offer and don’t negotiate the salary or benefits because you assume the employer knows your worth, you’re undervaluing yourself. Not making reasonable counteroffers can lead to missed opportunities for better compensation. Many employers anticipate negotiations, so don’t hesitate to advocate for your worth.

9. Only applying for jobs you’re overqualified for. Limiting your applications to positions you know you can secure easily prevents career growth. Many employers are open to considering candidates who don’t meet every criterion, so don’t hesitate to apply for roles that challenge you. The worst that can happen is they say no, so it’s worth the risk.

Final Thoughts

Talking about your accomplishments can be uncomfortable; no one wants to be perceived as the coworker who constantly brags. However, downplaying your achievements only serves to undermine your self-esteem and can lead to a lack of respect from others. In the workplace, this combination can be detrimental to your career growth.

While it’s important to avoid narcissism, it’s equally essential to recognize your value and feel good about your contributions. Remember, acknowledging your worth is a vital part of professional success.

Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.