What is a Brag Document?
The simple practice that can transform your career trajectory
Definition
A brag document (also called a "hype document" or "work log") is a personal record where you continuously document your professional achievements, contributions, and wins. Unlike a resume, it's not meant for external audiences—it's your private running list of everything you've accomplished at work.
The concept was popularized by software engineer Julia Evans in her influential 2019 blog post, which has since inspired thousands of professionals to start tracking their work.
The Problem It Solves
"One thing I'm always struck by at performance review time is a feeling of 'wait, what did I do in the last 6 months?' This is a demoralizing feeling and usually not based in reality, but more in 'I forgot what cool stuff I actually did.'"
— Julia Evans
If you don't remember everything important you did, your manager probably doesn't either. And when it comes time for performance reviews, promotions, or raises, they need to advocate for you to others. A brag document gives them—and you—the ammunition needed to make your case.
Why You Need a Brag Document
- Performance reviews become easier: No more scrambling to remember what you did. Your brag document has it all.
- Manager transitions: When you get a new manager, hand them your brag document. They'll instantly understand your value.
- Salary negotiations: Concrete examples of your impact make asking for a raise much more compelling.
- Resume updates: When it's time to job search, you have a comprehensive list to pull from.
- Self-reflection: Regularly reviewing your wins helps identify patterns, growth areas, and what work energizes you.
What to Include
A good brag document should capture:
- Projects completed with their impact and outcomes
- Quantifiable achievements (numbers, metrics, percentages)
- Positive feedback from colleagues, managers, or clients
- Problems solved and challenges overcome
- Skills learned and certifications earned
- Mentoring and collaboration that helped others succeed
- Process improvements you initiated
Recommended Books
Want to go deeper on self-promotion and career visibility? These books will help:
Brag Better: Master the Art of Fearless Self-Promotion
by Meredith Fineman
Written for "The Qualified Quiet"—smart people who struggle to talk about themselves. Fineman shares anxiety-proof strategies for communicating your achievements without feeling like you're boasting. The book focuses on four key elements: gratitude, pride, presentation, and showmanship.
How Women Rise
by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
Identifies 12 habits that hold women back in the workplace—many of which look like strengths on the surface, like expecting others to spontaneously notice your contributions. Essential reading for understanding why self-promotion matters.
The Unspoken Rules
by Gorick Ng
A Harvard career advisor's guide to navigating the unwritten rules of the workplace, including how to take ownership of your work, manage expectations, and communicate professionally.
Never Eat Alone
by Keith Ferrazzi
The classic guide to networking and building relationships that advance your career. Ferrazzi advocates for generosity and authentic connection over transactional networking.
Unforgettable Presence
by Lorraine K. Lee
A practical guide to building executive presence, confidence, and influence. Learn how to communicate with impact, lead meetings with authority, and build a powerful personal brand.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brag Document
- Update it regularly: Don't wait until review time. Add accomplishments weekly or even daily while they're fresh.
- Be specific: Instead of "improved the system," write "reduced API response time by 40%, saving 2 hours of developer time per week."
- Include the small wins: Not everything needs to be a major project. Helpful code reviews, mentoring sessions, and process improvements all count.
- Save positive feedback: When someone thanks you or praises your work, add it to your document.
- Review quarterly: Summarize your wins into themes and highlights. This makes annual reviews much easier.
Start Your Brag Document Today
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