Selling yourself

Anytime a company markets an expensive product, such as a major appliance, computer system, car, or some other type of machine, one of the first steps for enticing consumers is to provide a brochure that lists the product s unique benefits and features. The sales brochure is designed to get customers excited about the product before they actually see it firsthand. Similarly, when it comes to landing a job, your resume is the brochure you will use to market yourself. Your resume must get potential employers interested enough in you so that they invite you in for that all-important interview. From that point on, your chances of securing the job rely on your ability to sell yourself in person, but more on that later. 

When writing your resume, be sure to sell yourself—use phrases like responsible for, initiated, strategy execution, international, oversee. Your potential employers need to see that you are a really proactive person. Every employer wants someone who will take the initiative and get results."... 

Select the best action verbs and power phrases to add impact and ultimately sell yourself to a potential employer. 

One of the most common misconceptions among job seekers is that the resume is their primary marketing tool when looking for a job, and the cover letter is nothing more than an ancillary formality. In reality, your cover letter is as important as your resume when it comes to capturing the attention of a potential employer and selling yourself as a viable candidate for a job opening. 

Job interviews are your time to shine as a person and sell yourself directly to the employer. Until now, you ve used impersonal methods of communication to convey information about yourself. When you participate in an interview, your personality, appearance, charisma, knowledge, and body language help sell you as the perfect candidate for whatever job you re applying. 

This is yet another opportunity for you to sell yourself to the employer. Take advantage of the opportunity. 

If you are seriously considering consulting, make sure your capabilities are compatible with the requirements of the job. In addition to a marketable technical or professional skill, you need to be comfortable approaching people and selling yourself and your ideas. Not everyone is cut out to be a consultant. It requires a motivated self starter who is comfortable working alone. 

To find the best way to sell yourself to an employer, you might choose to adopt one of the two most popular arrangement styles ... 

Don t be fooled, as this is an interview. In fact, it s a daylong interview, yes, an eight-hour interview. Build rapport with this representative, ask questions, sell yourself and most importantly relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience. 

Here are some questions that you might hear from one of your contacts, along with sample answers. Remember that networking is not that different from interviewing You should be prepared to sell yourself and be able to speak clearly and concisely about your skills and interests. 

To sell yourself through your success stories... 

The interview is a sales meeting, and your goal is to sell yourself. It s tempting to make flat assertions that you expect the interviewer to take on face value. Some of these assertions might be "Tm a great worker, Tm punctual, upbeat, and diligent."... 

You also know how to use verbal cues, listen attentively and effectively, ask the right questions, and sell yourself wifh proof of whaf you ve done well. 

Making Opportunities to Describe Your Skills and Sell Yourself... 

Stay focused and sell yourself. Don t leave without telling as many of your success stories as possible. 

If you have only three minutes in which to sell yourself—and fhat s exacfly how long mosf campus interviews really last—it is extremely helpful to research the company first and rehearse what you want to say (Please refer to Chapter 3 for more informafion on researching a company.) You will greatly boost your chances of being taken seriously if you can say fhaf you are interested in the company for specific reasons and fhaf your background is a good fit for the job because of specific reasons. 

To summarize, although the interview format may be different, the same basic idea holds true for any interview. Be prepared If you know that you are going to have a short time in which to sell yourself, have specific reasons ready as to why you are a good fit and why your background is suitable for the job. Use your success stories, be sure to answer the questions you are being asked, and link your success stories to the question. 

Make sure you "sell" yourself when you answer questions. You should answer questions in a way that demonstrates the qualities that will serve you on the job. If you are asked how your best friend would describe you, don t say, "She thinks I m a fun person and that I have great fashion sense." Instead, say something like, "I think my best friend would describe me as loyal and dependable. People always know that they can count on me."... 

Look carefully at the questions discussed in this chapter and practice with friends, family members, or any other person you know who has gone through an interview and can offer suggestions. The key is to relax, so that you can put your best foot forward and sell yourself to the best of your ability. Remember, most prospective employers ask tough questions because they want to learn about you what motivates you, where your experience lies, how you will benefit the company, and where you would fit into the company if you were hired. If you answer honestly and thoughtfully, you will be sure to succeed. 

Interview Power Selling Yourself Face to Face. Tom Washington. Mount Vernon Press, 2004. 

Sell Yourself Master the Job Interview Process. Jane Williams. Principle Publications, 2004. 

Do not let a lack of experience discourage you. The bottom line in Job seeking is to get a good education, develop your foundational skills, and "sell yourself" with a good resume, cover letter, and Interview responses. 

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