Do you have issues with professional self promotion?

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As a person, are you uncomfortable with the sort of brash self promotion that today's economy seems to require? Seems like today you need a freaking presence everywhere, you need to broadcast yourself endlessly, get "followers", get pingbacks, trackbacks, and God knows what else.

Personally it's all incredibly stupid to me. I have nothing against it per se, only that it has become a near requirement to "stand above the crowd" in this job market. Makes me kind of sick when I think about it: it's no longer good enough to be an ordinary person to have the right to make a living. The powers that be demand that you be "bester than the bestest" - or you don't deserve to succeed.

Anyone else find this offensive?

More importantly - is it a fad that will eventually go away? Or will at least one generation have to put up with this sort of stuff?

Admittedly, extroverts probably love this new trend and fit into it perfectly. For me it is a sore battle that I wish I didn't have to fight.

That's just the natural extension of our economy. It's always been like that to some extent or another, but since everything is hyper-competitive, and we have an obsession with being number one, it's inevitable that we would get to this point.

Yes, I have a big problem with this. The smooth talkers are getting what is out there since they can schmooze the HR people, who are likely also this.

Thanks for putting it that way. Pretty much exactly what I was trying to say, but you said it shorter and better.

People for whom this type of self promotion (disingenuous at times) does not come naturally are at a newfound disadvantage in the workplace, because the culture of looking for work has made those values its own - unjustly.

I find it particularly offensive. It seems showing up to work and doing your job well just isn’t enough anymore. You are expected to toot your own horn and spot light your accomplishments for all to see.

If you do not, you can expect to get pass over for promotion by others who are less accomplish then yourself and only seem to exceed at self-promotion. The same with raises if you don’t promote yourself you get little or no raises at all.

I understand the need to show your good points to others, some people do it well and with tact. But if you have a problem about sharing with others your strengths for fear you may come across as an ass then you’re probably going to have trouble advancing at your job.

Its not all hopeless there are exceptions sometimes you get a supervisor or a manager that notices you doing your work well and takes care of you.

Last edited by hyksos55 on 01 Aug 2012, 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

Yeah I know what you mean, that is one of the big issues I kind of have with this society....its like you can't just mind your own business and be a generally decent person and put honest hard work into finding a job or of course keeping the job its like you gotta be stepping on toes and fighting to be the best of the best of the best or some crap.

I mean it is probably still possible to get by without living up to all that, but certainly more difficult in this crazily competitive society, I mean why the hell does everything have to be a competition or battle anyways? I mean when I apply for work its like 'hey I'd like a job and I will do my best at the work.' not 'hey I want a job to spite all those other people looking for a job because I'm the best so you should consider me first.' I don't know I don't get it.