Selling You

 

One of the most important parts of an interview is selling you. It doesn’t matter if your interview is for a job in Customer Service or for a Sales Manager position. Prospective employees who can communicate and “sell” themselves will not only perform their job better but they’ll get better jobs. Here are some tips on how to sell you.

 

1. Your approach: First, arrive early and be prepared. There isn’t anything worse than being asked for some document that you don’t have with you. When you arrive early it shows that you are determined and take the interview seriously. When presented to the interviewer, introduce yourself. Make sure you use their name when speaking to them. Listen intently to what the interviewer is saying and the questions that they ask.

 

2. Your qualifications: Know your worth and what qualifies you for this job. Ask some questions to gain the information that you need to make sure the position is right for you. Find out what qualifications the company is looking for in their potential employees. If the job isn’t what you’re looking for, thank the interviewer for their time and excuse yourself. There isn’t any sense wasting both your time and theirs.

 

3. Talking about yourself: Make sure the subjects you talk about relate to the job you’re applying for. Fill the interviewer in on your education and experience. Talk about your goals. Focus on your strengths and what makes you a good candidate for this job. Give examples why you would be perfect for the job they are offering. Ask the interviewer if they have any questions about your background or qualifications.

 

4. Getting the commitment: Most interviews end with the phrase, “We’ll call you.” Instead, ask if there’s any reason they won’t hire you if all the references and background check out. Ask when they’ll be making a decision about the position. This way they know you’re interested in the position and if they’re interested at this point, you’ll know.

 

5. Making an exit: Thank the interviewer for seeing you. If there is a definite job offer, tell them you’ll be looking forward to starting on the start date. If there wasn’t anything definite, tell them you will be hoping to hear from them soon. Shake the interviewer’s hand when you leave. Follow up the next day with a handwritten thank you card, not an email.

 

If you put forth a lot of effort, good things will happen. With a good attitude and presentation, you can have the job of your dreams.

 

Comments, as always, are welcome!

 

By Linda Lee Ruzicka

 

Linda Lee Ruzicka lives in the mountains of Western PA , happily married and with her 8 cats and three dogs. She has been published in Twilight Times, Dark Krypt, Fables, Writing Village, June Cotner anthology, The Grit, Reminisce , the book, Haunted Encounters: Friends and Family. She has three poems in The Writing Village and an article in The Marbler News. She also does freelance work for Beyond and for CSJobs.com. More of her blogs can be found at CSJobsblog.com.