If you think you are not getting the offers you truly deserve, then it’s probably time to do something about it. The discomfort should not bring you down. Instead, use your frustration as your motivation.
Some may find it awkward to sell themselves— they may feel like they’re bragging about their achievements.
But it’s important to learn how to highlight your skills and talents by understanding your key strengths and communicating them in a concise way.
Here are a few tips to help:
Research & Analysis
To be able to sell yourself effectively, you must know the following:
- Target audience
- What the company needs
- What does the competition offer?
Study the job description and match your skills to determine if you really suit the job. What requirements do you bring to the table? What separates you from the other candidates?
Once you understand what they are looking for, it will be easier for you to analyze what skills to highlight during the interview.
Hone Your Speaking Points
What do you want to convey in your interview? Know your key selling points and what your interviewer will be most interested in. As much as possible, use a natural approach and language.
List at least four to five of your selling points and write a proof statement for each. You can use past experiences that demonstrate your strengths for the benefit of the company.
Practice
This may be obvious, but a lot of job seekers skip this step, thinking that everything will go well. Practicing, however, is vital to your job interview — you will feel more natural when discussing your strong points.
Speak in an audible voice and allow yourself to make tweaks as you go along. It is completely fine to have different answers every time. (After all, you won’t be reiterating what you rehearsed in the actual interview.)
Once you’ve followed these tips, ask help from a mentor or friend to assess you. A fresh set of eyes to evaluate your resume and how you deliver your message never hurts.