Sell Yourself in Job Interview

No mater what job you are looking for, when you look for jobs, your first job is sales. A job hunter is a salesperson. Only when you sell yourself successfully, you can move to the next job. Sell yourself, that is what you must do during the job interview. Just like the sales guy in car dealers, how you sell yourself to an employer reflects how you’re likely to pitch the products and services you offer if hired.

Thinking job interview as a simulated sales situation and yourself as an accomplished sales professional, you should treat interviewers like your clients. In this case, you are expected to have extensive knowledge of your client’s business, and any sales materials would be pristine — not looking like they slid around in a car trunk.

When the economy is slow and job market is down, the sales job gets tough. Extra efforts of salesmanship is needed in order to sell anything. But don’t worry, here are 12 tips that can help job hunters pitch themselves effectively to that first client, the interviewer. This truth is, no matter how bad the market is, the trade is always going on. Using these tips in the next interview and you’ll get the job!

1. Do your homework

Interviewers expected to be treated as clients and they want you to present some knowledge about their business. So that you need to research employer’s business, services, products, and corporate culture. With internet access, you can google the information out quickly. Then you should summarize the data info a few sentences that will be talked in the interview.

2. Carry sales materials

Prepare and bring sales materials with you, — depending on what position you are seeking, your sales materials could be couple of copies of resume, sample design layout, sample program codes, published articles, list of clients, list of projects, and reference sheet. You’ll find an appropriate time to share them with interviewers. Always carry a nice portfolio and pen.

3. Dress professionally

Many candidates in technical fields care less about dressing. They think it’s the experience and skills that make difference. But people are judged by clothe all the time. Don’t lose your game by minor details.

4. Show up 15 minutes early

“Arrive on time!”, “Don’t be late!”, that not enough. Get to the location 20 minutes ahead of time and walk through the door exactly 15 minutes early. If you show up on time, you are late as considered by interviewers. That sounds unfair but interviewers usually come to the room 5 to 10 minutes early. If they already seat there and feel bored, they all think you are late when you finally come in on time.

To make sure you control the right timing, you may want to drive there the night before especially If you are unclear on the location. It’s better for you to wait for the interviewer than let them wait for you.

5. Show confidence and smile

Walk into the room with confidence. Have eye contact and smile. Have a firm hand shake. The first impression counts.

6. Listen carefully

Pay close attention to questions they ask, from there you can learn the company’s needs and understand the business. Listen until one interviewer finish the question or explaination. Don’t interpret him or her but remember the key points and bring them back when you give answers.

7. Find common ground

Answer the question and explain why your background fits the position. That’s a 2-part task, first give the direct answer to the question and second identify the common ground to bring yourself in. Many candidates fail to do the second part. When you bring your background info the discussion, have specific examples and stay focused on the questions. Keep your mind clear and concise, and wrap up your answer in two to four sentences.

8. Make a connection

It is important to establish a relationship around the middle stage of the interview process. Icebreakers, such as commenting on a picture or relating your hobbies or interests to an obvious interest of the employer, can work to your advantage. However, don’t walk in ready to recite a rehearsed icebreaker. Every interviewer you encounter will have a different personality.

Some interviewers are straight forward business type, sometimes they like to chit-chat. The candidate has to perceive the interviewer’s agenda and find a opportunity to bridge the gap. There is no steadfast rules for this practice. You must make right move.

9. Ask intelligent questions

Before you walk into the interview, know what products and services the company provides, whom they serve, and the past, present and future growth of the company. Asking questions in the meeting will give you a greater understanding of the company and will show your interest.

Prepare 20 questions to ask. Not just simple questions like what do you sell, but some in-deepth, intelligent quesitons that lead to discussions. These questions must demonstrate that you took the time to research the company’s business.

10. Present a plan of action

If you’ve done extensive research and listened carefully during interview, you should have understand the business, problems, and issues. Then when the hiring manager asks if you have anything else you would like to show, you can say, I’d like to present my plan to … solve that problem… work on this issue, improve this, change that…, whatever you can come out. This does impress interviewers and shows you’re a self-starter.

11. Make promise

Watch how Barack Obama promise to change in frond of all Americans and learn from him. You can make a last impression by promising to contribute. Say to interviewers that you are a great contributer and you are able to become the profit center of the company.

12. Close the sale

Ask for the job. Express you strong interest to the job. Say clearly “I want to work for you”, “I want to join your team”… If you don’t ask, you may not get the offer. Just like a real sale job, a lot of times you make a sale only by asking for it. So, don’t be afraid to ask for a client’s business.

If there are multiple steps in the hiring process, ask what is the next, ask for a second interview. At end of the interview, simply ask interviewers if they have any questions or doubts about your candidacy. If they do, you should be prepared to resolve any issues and make a case as to why you are the best candidate. A deal can be made only when both parties make sure there is nothing left unclear at the table and there are no reservations from each side.

Be careful don’t use high-pressure techniques. “I’ve had several offers from other companies”, “If you don’t hire me, I’d become your competitor”, “You would be stupid not to hire me”. You cannot get the job by this approach.