How to Brag About Yourself Without Sounding Arrogant

The bad brag: “I’m a great salesman.”

The better brag: “This year, I exceeded my personal sales goals by 40 percent, which positively impacted my company’s revenue stream by 20 percent.”

Why it works: “Let the statistics and the numbers do the talking,” says career expert Nicole Williams, the former connection director for LinkedIn and author of Earn What You’re Worth. “Focus on your results and position your strengths as related to those so it’s not just your opinion, but factual information with a true number around it.”

Just don’t fudge the stats, Williams advises. You don’t want to get caught in a lie.

The bad brag: “I got promoted faster than any of my colleagues.”

The better brag: “I was able to drive growth and metrics against my key product goals, which gave me the opportunity to take on more responsibility, broaden my scope, and take on a bigger role.”

Why it works: You don’t need to compare yourself to others or put down former coworkers when sharing your success, says Fisher. Your goal should be to come off as a team player and give credit where it’s due, while still highlighting your own wins.

This shows your new boss that you work well with other people and you’re willing to share compliments, Williams says.

The bad brag: “I’m a really good writer.”

The better brag: “After I read my first J.R.R. Tolkien novel as a kid, I became hooked on reading and writing fantasy.”

Why it works: When you’re writing a cover letter or talking to a potential employer about why you’re passionate, you have to really show it, says Williams.

Go deep and talk about how and why you got into your career. You’ll come off as a guy inspired by the work he does, which weeds you out from others who can’t show the same enthusiasm, Williams says.

The bad brag: “A few other companies are interested in me.”

The better brag: “While I am exploring all of my options, I’m most excited about the opportunity to join your team.”

Why it works: This shows a potential employer that yes, you’re in demand, but your first choice is their company because it’s the best opportunity for you, Williams says.

The bad brag: “I’m a personable guy and love interacting with new people.”

The better brag: Let your social media presence speak for itself.

Why it works: You can only be so charming in a 20-minute interview.

Employers check your social media profiles before your interview, Williams says. So create a social presence that actually depicts who you are and what you like to do: Craft funny (albeit appropriate) tweets, post photos of you participating in your community on Instagram, and regularly share your achievements on LinkedIn and other social sites.

This makes you look like a real person—not a cookie-cutter version of the guy you think your boss wants you to be, says Williams.