Toot toot!: Why your Brag Book is for more than a job search or raise

Regina George and the Plastics had the burn book.

You need a brag book. And not just for getting a new job.

Most people only think of listing their accomplishments for two reasons:

1) They're in job search mode. Gotta update that resume and optimize the ol' LinkedIn profile.

2) They're planning to ask for a raise. Gotta qualify and quantify that ask, baby!

Both are very valid reasons. You should absolutely have an accurate, updated list of all the things - big and small - at which you rock if you're planning a career move or need to make a case for yourself with the boss.

But having that awesome list helps with something a lot of high achievers rarely think about - their bio/intro.

It could be for your own website or for your company's. Or an internal marketing piece. Maybe you won an award or have been asked to speak at an event/webinar. (Go you!) Wouldn't it be great to have a handy dandy list of recent wins to make your intro as awesome as you are?

If your bio/intro is outdated with mentions of accolades from 5 or more years ago, it could sound like you peaked. But we both know you have continued to crush it! Make sure the people at that webinar or the ones reading your company bio know it, too.

It's hard to think back over a year, a quarter, sometimes even a week (looking at you, 2020-2022)! As someone who's written bios and award nominations for several radio personalities and marketers, trust me when I tell you it's even harder to go back and track down someone else's accomplishments. My job was always MUCH easier if that person could shoot me a Google doc or other list of notable happenings and key victories with dates.

It's so simple. Open a blank document or turn to a new page in your notebook, and get to writing. Be specific and consistent. You don't have to brag on yourself daily or weekly. (Good for you if do though!) Aim to go back to your brag book monthly or at the very least quarterly.

And be sure to note things outside of work like volunteer experience, civic achievements, and even personal victories (running a 5K, learning a new language, starting a book club). You never know how these things can add up to fun anecdotes at awards ceremonies or a not boring AF "About" section.

So do yourself (or possibly the webmaster or other person on your team) a favor and start your brag book now!