In an interview, it is crucial that you know how to sell yourself.
When you talk positively and professionally about yourself, it shows that you are confident in who you are and your abilities. This not only installs confidence in potential employers but makes you appear like a strong person.
In this article, we will teach you some great tricks and tips, so you can be confident when talking about yourself in an interview.
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What Does Selling Yourself In An Interview Mean?
All selling yourself in an interview means, is that you are convincing the interviewer that you are not only capable of the job, but you are worthy of the job.
You are basically explaining all of your positive traits, and how they relate to the role, as well as how your experience relates to the role.
However, it is more than just saying a couple of words. It is about the way you talk about yourself, and how you talk about yourself, which makes a person sell themselves.
You are not only showing your capability – if the interviewer did not think you were capable, but you also would not have a job interview. It is about showing why you would be a valuable asset to the team, and why you are the best candidate for the role.
Now, this is true even if you do not have the relevant experience, because you can persuade the interviewer that your transferable skills and experience can really impact and benefit the role positivity. You are basically being a salesperson, for yourself, in order to get a job.
Keep in mind that you do this professionally – you do not gloat about how much wealth you have, or talk about any attractiveness. You strictly discuss how you are a great worker, how you have fantastic traits, and how you can be amazing at the role.
How To Sell Yourself in an Interview
Now, you are probably wondering how exactly one might sell themselves in an interview. It’s pretty easy, it just takes some practice, reflection, and confidence-building.
1. Get Comfortable With Positive Self-Talk
If you have no problems with talking positivity about yourself, then well done, you are already ahead of the curve. However, if you find talking about yourself positively tricky, don’t fret. Many people, if not most people, struggle with talking about themselves positively.
This does not always have to do with confidence. There are some very confident people, who still do not like talking about themselves. In these cases, people have been conditioned to believe that talking about personal, positive attributes is vain, and rude.
This is not true, though, especially in a business setting.
In a business setting, you need to get comfortable explaining your positive traits and your great experience. No one else is there to back you up, it’s you – and a piece of paper (or, a digital piece of paper).
You need to stand on your own two feet, and show the world how amazing you are.
If you are unsure about what attributes could be positive, look at your experience. What are you like in the workplace? Are you good with communication? Leadership? Team Building? Creativity?
Think about what your strengths are, and write them down. You need to get acquainted with these parts of yourself.
2. Be Prepared For Questions
A lot of people will be surprised to know that being prepared for questions is a way of selling oneself, but it is a crucial component.
This is because you want to be prepared in every possible way. So, research your job role, and discover what are some of the most commonly asked questions. This way, when you get asked a question – or a similar question, you will know exactly what to say.
When thinking, or writing about, what you will say – you need to relate it to your relevant experience, positive traits, or at the very least, find a way to show how you will be successful at the role.
You are not just answering questions – you are selling yourself, at every point of the interview, you are being judged and need to be prepared.
3. Practice Showing Confidence
When you attend your interview, you are going to want to look confident. So, if you are not the most confident person in the world (and even if you are) it’s always good to practice how you will behave.
For example, when you walk into the room, you are going to want to stand with a good posture, and be sure to engage in eye contact, make sure you practice your handshake too because that is a marker of confidence.
Be mindful of what you will say, and the word choices you will use.
Also, remember to sit up straight during the interview, and continue with eye contact throughout. Being able to look into someone’s eyes while they talk, and while you talk, is a huge marker of confidence.
You should also think about how you will behave when listening to your interviewer. Think about making head nods, and looking introspective.
4. Plan Your Questions Ahead of Time
It is crucial that you have questions during, and at the end of the interview. In some cases, the interviewer may strictly ask you to leave any questions to the end, so listen carefully.
When you are preparing for your interview, you are going to create at least three questions that you can ask the interviewer. This can be a range of topics. Some examples are:
- Is there a lot of room for growth within the company?
- What is the career progression within the role, and the company?
- Are there any traits that they think are necessary for the role?
- What are the co-workers like?
You can also ask any specific questions about the role, and you should do so, especially if you are unsure of certain aspects.
Summary
When attending an interview, it is crucial that you sell yourself. This shows the interviewer that you are confident and capable, which will, in return, make them more drawn to you as a potential candidate.
You should make sure that you are prepared for the interview, by going over all of your relevant skills and experience, as well as practicing positive self-talk.
Make sure to prepare questions for the end of the interview, and to make sure that your body language reflects confidence.
