I promise, I'm not arrogant.

Self-presentation is defined as the process that we take to shape what people think of us and what we think of ourselves. The methods in which self-presentation is utilize include: what we do, what we say, how we dress, and how we act. I just wanted to share some ways that I consciously try to present myself in a positive manner by using self-promotion (i.e., an attempt to gain respect through competence).

First, I make lists and keep a planner. By doing these things, I am trying to come off as extremely organized, and it works. I get comments about how organized and on top of things I am quite often, but in all honesty, I really don’t think I’m that organized. I do get my things done when they need to be done, but just because I can cross things off of a list and plan out my time doesn’t make me awesome. It just means I know how to focus my attention, but if you’re going to be impressed with my ability to do this, then by all means, I welcome it. Although, I would also like to add that these lists and color coded planner pages do keep me sane.

Second, I don’t really want to admit this, but I will. I think that I am really qualified at my job. As the appointed off-campus marketing coordinator, I have done a great job at securing some radio ads as well as online ads. My failure, though, was in interviews. It’s extremely difficult when the artist’s publicist doesn’t do much, and when people won’t return your phone calls, but I am not attributing this to anyone. It’s like a mutual fault if that is possible. Back to me being qualified, it has paid off enough to where I am trusted to do things that professional staff is responsible for. Also, the day of Large Act, I have been given the title of being the “manager”. I will really be working under Jaime, but either way, I’m the big boss’s right hand woman. If that doesn’t elicit some feeling of respect or intimidation, then I don’t know what will.

I really do not enjoy that this sounds like I am patting myself on my back, but that’s what self-promotion is. I am completely guilty of utilizing this form of self-presentation to gain the respect and confidence of the professional staff.

Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2008). Self-Presentation.. In Social Psychology (7th ed., pp. 82-83). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.