How to Sell Yourself in a Job Interview
Posted July 18th, 2019
When you are in an interview, you are technically marketing yourself as the ideal candidate. In essence, you are selling yourself: your capabilities, your experience, and your personality.
Using the right approach during an interview can increase your odds of success. While much of the work is done in the moment, preparation is also critical. Otherwise, you may not be able to speak definitively when the hiring manager asks you a crucial question.
If you want to make sure you can sell yourself properly during an interview, here are some tips to get you started.
Know the Position
Your first step for excelling in an interview isn’t focused on yourself. Instead, it is about the role. If you don’t know the position thoroughly, you won’t be able to plan your responses properly.
When you answer a question during an interview, you need to be able to align your capabilities to the hiring manager’s priorities. In the vast majority of cases, the job description is an invaluable resource, clearly outlining what the hiring manager needs to find in candidates.
Take some time to really review the vacancy announcement. Examine the must-have skills list as well as any traits that the hiring manager highlights. This provides you with a framework for selling yourself as the ideal candidate, ensuring your answers speak to the most vital points.
Research the Company
Before you begin to formulate interview responses, it is also wise to research the company. Examine the organization’s mission and values statements to learn more about its priorities. Get to know the products and services, as well as how the role fits into the bigger picture.
This process allows you to figure out which skills and characteristics to highlight during the interview. When you can align what you have to offer to the company’s goals and priorities, you increase your odds of standing out from the crowd.
Focus on Examples
Telling a hiring manager that you have a particular skill isn’t enough if you want to impress. Instead, you need to show them that you are capable instead of just telling them. Often, the easiest way to do just that is to craft interview answers that showcase examples from your previous work experience that speak to the point.
Consider which of your achievements demonstrate your capabilities in various areas that are listed in the vacancy announcement. Then, use those to provide context to your answers when you are asked about your skills and capabilities. This approach is much more meaningful to the hiring manager as it helps them understand the value of what you bring to the table.
Build a Rapport
If you can connect with the hiring manager beyond merely answering their questions, you can sell yourself more effectively. Even simple gestures like a firm handshake and a smile when you greet them can go a long way. Similarly, asking them how they are doing can make it easier to start the conversation on a positive note, as you are expressing an interest in the hiring manager. Together, this all helps you forge a stronger connection, increasing the odds that you’ll make a positive impression.
Need Help Taking the Next Step in Your Career? Contact the Recruiters at Bayside Solutions!
If you’d like to learn more about how you can interview successfully, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our talented recruiters today and see how our interviewing expertise can benefit you.
