The internet has made self-promotion easier than ever. Social networks such as LinkedIn and Twitter now provide direct, accessible communication channels through which you can connect and discover new opportunities. Unless you’re in sales, the very concept of selling yourself in an interview can be daunting. You don’t want to sound arrogant, bland, worse, or desperate. But a job interview is about learning how to promote yourself persuasively.
All good marketing is about determining your target audience’s needs and positioning your brand to meet their requirements. It’s the same with a job applicant – you need to offer the perfect solution; a perfect package.
The good news is you can learn to speak confidently about yourself – especially your skills, knowledge, and professional achievements – with a little effort. These tips can help you close a job offer.
Tailor your elevator pitch
An Elevator Pitch summarizes your background and experience. It is called an elevator pitch because it should be short enough to be presented on a short elevator ride. Your elevator pitch should clearly explain who you are and what your skills and qualifications are. Try to focus on resources that add value in many ways. This is your chance to show off a little – avoid bragging, but share what you bring to the table.
Limit your speech to 30-60 seconds. You don’t need to consider your entire work history and career goals. Your presentation should be a summary of who you are and what you do. Even though it’s a brief explanation, the elevator speech should be attractive enough to arouse the audience’s interest in your idea, background, or organization.
Dress appropriately
Many hiring managers will get the first impression of you based on what you wear. The right interview outfit indeed depends on the company you’re interviewing for and the culture of the organization.
Besides, you must physically show confidence. Did you slump into the chair? Are you fidgeting? Do you avoid eye contact? These “nos” can make you appear careless, uninterested in the job, or insecure. Maintain good posture, maintain eye contact when shaking hands, and sit in a position that radiates commitment to conversation. In other words, your non-verbal cues – mostly eye contact, hand movements, posture, and tone of voice – are critical when selling yourself to the hiring manager.
Prepare meaningful anecdotes
No matter the industry, you can expect behavioral questions during the interview. These questions involve examples from previous work experience – for example, “Tell me about a failed situation” or “Tell me about a difficult collaboration situation with an employee.” Unfortunately, this is where many job seekers stumble.
When writing a cover letter and responding to interview questions, go beyond the skill list – share examples and tell stories that show your skills. This creates a more convincing and engaging experience for interviewers. (Think about how the ads portray the products – a pasta sauce ad doesn’t show someone talking to the camera about its characteristics, but rather a family having dinner together. Many people can tell a decent story, but almost everyone ignores the impact the story has had on you, the participants, and the company.
Identify your target audience and know your USP
Get to know your potential employers inside out. Do as much research as possible to help identify the organization’s ethos and the skills, personality, and knowledge they value highly. Use the job description and job specification as a solid foundation for their needs and try to figure out how that role will fit the company’s broader picture.
The term USP is used frequently in sales and marketing departments across the country. This refers to the niche factor that makes a product or brand desirable and different from the competition. Understand your USP – this can be specialized training or a unique mix of prior experiences and personal interests. Once you are familiar with your USP, let future employers know.
Promote your network
Most of you probably have heard the phrase, “It’s not about what you know; it’s about who you know.” And while what you know plays a significant role in finding a job, it is also a vital part of job search and your career success to build a strong network.
There are many tips to help you start, grow and improve your network. But it is always important to remember that while your network is for you, in some respects, it’s not about you.
The internet has made self-promotion easier than ever. Social networks such as LinkedIn and Twitter now provide direct, accessible communication channels through which you can connect and discover new opportunities.
Develop Your Brand
Creating a professional brand does not have to be associated with effective advertising or daily witty posts on social media. If the very idea of ”branding” doesn’t appeal to you, we get it. Branding yourself can look like you are bragging.
Write a small, one or two-sentence summary of your career goals and strengths. Your branding statement maybe “a detail-oriented lawyer looking to join a law firm on a partnership path,” or it could be “a seasoned editor looking to move into a full-time writer.” You can use this statement in the LinkedIn Summary section, in your CV, and when interacting with others and you want to share your job search information.
Consider creating a targeted list of companies where you want to apply for a job. Only join the appropriate professional groups and participate in networking events in your industry. During these events, use the elevator pitch you have developed, bring a copy of your resume, and then forward it by email or LinkedIn.
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