Millennials: Be Confident, Not Arrogant

How do you draw the line between confidence and arrogance? We struggle all the time to discuss our aspirations and accomplishments without sounding like self-promotional salespeople. While we want to sell ourselves, we fear driving our audiences away by sounding arrogant.

However, confident doesn’t always mean arrogant. Once millennials learn to use their confidence appropriately, they will stand out from their peers in professional settings and job applications.

Here are some tips for presenting yourself confidently, without the arrogance.

Believe in yourself.

Confidence starts from within. Though some degree of being confident actually depends on genetics, you must believe in yourself to show others your confidence. Know your strengths and your weaknesses and you won’t be brought down.

In interviews, know how to discuss your accomplishments without sounding egotistical. Talk about the results of your work–did you increase sales by a certain percentage? Were you able to sign any big clients? Or, were you able to manage a crisis for your company? Turn your achievements into talking points that can foster deeper conversation.

Make eye contact.

Making eye contact with someone shows that you care about what that person has to say. Maintaining eye contact exudes confidence and fosters better communication. Avoid looking past the person you’re talking to, this may suggest that you’re disinterested or arrogant.

The smaller the setting, the more important making eye contact is. If you’re having a one-on-one conversation with someone, be sure to lock eyes. If you’re at an informational session or some sort of larger networking event, try to make the most of your interactions. Whenever possible, try to be personable.

Support your own opinion.

Know about current issues in the world and form your own opinion of them. If you are knowledgeable about the issue and you can discuss in groups, voice your stance. If your view is not the most popular, don’t back down from the discussion–this is your chance to build confidence.

Midterm elections are coming up, #STOPTheGOP is trending and foreign affairs are a mess today. Every person is entitled to an opinion. Though politics is a touchy subject and should generally be avoided at networking events, if it does come up you should stand your ground. Are you particularly interested in border control or conflicts in the Middle East? Do you have a strong stance on an issue that you are knowledgable about? Make your voice heard! Not only will you impress (and maybe piss off) your audience, but most importantly, your firmness will prove your confidence.

Present yourself well.

As much as I hate to say it, appearance does matter. Dress the part for professional events. You don’t have to do anything over the top, but if you feel good about yourself, you will present yourself more confidently. Be careful not to overdress–you might come off as arrogant. Find balance.

I already covered the dos and don’ts for presenting yourself professionally, here, but it’s important to remember that different occasions call for different looks. The most important thing is to always appear well-put-together. That means avoiding wrinkly clothing, inappropriate logos, and overwhelming perfume or cologne. For more tips on how to present yourself professionally, click here.

Explore new ventures.

Not only will you have more talking points, but also you will improve your confidence. Try new things, explore life outside of your comfort zone. Once you explore new facets and force yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be more confident when presented in new situations. Join a local sports team or club; it’s also a great way to make new connections!

Next time you’re at a convention, a work dinner or an office party you’ll have more to bring to the table. Conversation is much more interesting when one has the real-world experience of a story and your new interests may fascinate your audience. What better way to boost your confidence than to be the life of the party?

Though the line between confidence and arrogance may be fine, it’s an important one to know. When applying for jobs or networking, confidence matters. Believe in yourself, expand your circles and you’ll be much better off.

Natasha Paulmeno

Natasha Paulmeno is an aspiring PR professional studying at the University of Maryland. She is learning to speak Spanish fluently through travel, music, and school. In her spare time she enjoys Bachata music, playing with her dog, and exploring social media trends. Contact Natasha at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.