How to Sell Yourself in an Interview Without Selling at All

How to Sell Yourself in an Interview Without “Selling” at All For any company that has a winning attitude, nothing matters more than getting the right people in the right positions. Therefore, as a job applicant, during the interview process you must make a compelling case that you are intelligent, competent, autonomous and knowledgable in the desired areas. However, it’s a catch-22: if you come across as attempting to convince an interviewer that you possess these qualities, you are much more likely to appear desperate rather than well-rounded. Essentially, the moment you begin to directly brag and display fake arrogance is the moment you lose an interviewer’s interest and your attractiveness as a job candidate. People hate being sold and hiring managers, recruiters and HR representatives are just people, after all. This begs the question of how one goes about influencing a hiring manager without coming across as ingenuine and needy of a job? The answer is subtlety. The only way you can “sell” the interviewer is to let them draw their own conclusions about you. Luckily, there are certain things you can do to increase the odds that their conclusions are going to be positive and welcoming, regarding hiring you. Below, you’ll find some key information that will allow you to sell yourself without actually “selling” yourself: Without  even saying a word: By: iconoclast020 When an interviewer meets you, they instantaneously categorize you as a winner, loser, or maybe somewhere in-between simply by how you present yourself. Use this knowledge to your advantage and let your looks, posture and facial expression sell for you prior to speaking your first word. For instance, when you greet an interviewer with a full smile and wide-eyes, they are much more likely to associate you with positive qualities. Your facial expression should say, “I like you.”    People like others who like them and tend to associate those people with desirable qualities such as integrity and competency. Thus, they are much more eager to want them around the office. Regarding dress know that opposites do not attract.    For instance, you are not likely to be perceived well at a bank if you underdress for the interview.    Don’t intentionally stick out.    It will not build the desired rapport.    Familiarity breeds fondness. Moreover, studies have shown that matching posture and movements will build trust and mutual respect.    Without being obvious, do your best to mirror the interviewer’s body language. The  most effective interviewing preparation: People (interviewers included) are interested in themselves and their own needs. Therefore, if you don’t know what your audience or a hiring manager wants, you can’t sell them. Luckily, the job description will give you more evidence than you need to formulate an accurate thesis as to what the individual wants in an employee. For instance, if a job description states the employer wants someone who is autonomous, take time the evening before the interview to write down a story or example of your autonomy.    With that example in mind, work it into the conversation at the appropriate time. Through the anecdote, the hiring manager will naturally see that you are the type of person who will allow them the ability to focus less on managing you and more on the necessary tasks they need done. If they list a certain skill that you have in-depth expertise with, formulate questions that display your knowledge of the topic. Don’t wait until the end of the interview to present these inquiries, as an interviewer’s assessment of you is likely to be firmly set by then. Rather, ask away when the topic is touched upon. During the interview: Speak without criticism: nobody wants to be around a pessimistic person.    Rather, interviewers are more readily sold by those who have a positive, happy outlook and perspective on life. In a genuine manner, convey thoughts that discuss success and, rather than talking about insurmountable hurdles, discuss how you plan to overcome any obstacles. Utilize your rate of speech as an influential measure. When you are making important points during the interview, after the statement it’s going to be helpful to pause for a second and mentally allow the hiring manager digest what you just stated. In the end: The phrase sell yourself is popular when it comes to job search. The basic idea is sound, but too many people lose any nuance in the attempted execution. Selling yourself, when it comes to interviewing, is really about paying attention to the cues you both receive and send, before and during the interview. Concentrate less on selling yourself and more on putting your best foot forward. Image: Shutterstock

3 things to teach your kids so they succeed in life

3 things to teach your kids so they succeed in life The kid competition starts early, with sleep. For the first six months of my sons life, someone would ask me every day, Hows his sleeping? As if sleep practices are a window into a babys genius. (And let me tell you something, if sleep is the SATs for babies, I am living with the village idiot.) Then there are parents who say, My son adores his books! like he is the next Shakespeare. And there are the parents who say, I bought puzzles for her age group but they were too easy for her! Two words: Who cares? I am not hoping for an early reader or a math genius. I am looking for my kid to be able to navigate adult life in a way that makes him happy. And since I do not have a trust fund to bequeath, my son will have to find happiness in a career. As a career columnist, I am pretty certain that there are things way more important than sleeping through the night: 1.Take risks Many people write to me to say they want to change careers and they are too scared. It doesnt matter how gifted these people are: they are stuck because they cant take risks. Parents are not natural teachers of risk because a parent is all about creating a stable home and keeping the kid from danger. (We have a joke in my family that if my mom is giving someone advice, it must be to do whatever has less risk.) But if a kid is scared to take risks the kid will get into ruts. The kid will not see possibilities. Adults who take risks understand that failing is okay. Kids need to get practice failing. 2. Be passionate Many adults cannot figure out what to do with themselves. They have never learned to look inside themselves. They have never developed their own, internal gauges. If you want your kid to figure out what career to go to when shes twenty-five, help her learn to figure out what shes passionate about when shes much younger. School does not teach passion. In school, a teacher tells kids what to investigate. Whether the kid is a genius or just an average student, school is not teaching him to follow his own passions. (In fact, you could argue that at the end of eighteen years of school, the kid with straight As had less time than the average student to figure out her own passions; those perfect students are too busy learning what they are supposed to learn.) There will come a point for your kid when his world is not made of Scantron tests but of wide-open, connected fields for the kids dreams. The kid needs a working, internal compass to move in this world. 3. Work hard to attain goals Gifted kids dont need to work hard to get As. Pray that you have a normal kid so that schoolwork can be a lesson on working hard. For kids who can do things easily, teach a kid to work hard at something else. Remember, though, that hard work is not an end in itself. I know too many people who worked hard in school, went on to Ivy League, and now have no idea what to do with themselves. Hard work only matters in the context of passion and risk taking. Otherwise, you can only work hard at someone elses dreams. So lets all raise dreamers, adventurers and leaders. And dont bug me when I tell you my son never shuts his eyes, because sleep isnt the only place for dreams.

Launchpad 4 Just Released! Best Job Search Advice From Top Career Experts - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Launchpad 4 Just Released! Best Job Search Advice From Top Career Experts Throughout this year, Career Rocketeer published the first three volumes of Launchpad: Your Career Search Strategy Guide. Founder Chris Perry developed the CareerRocketeer blogsite and Launchpad series to help entrepreneurs and job seekers at all levels  launch their careers to greater heights. All you need is the right fuel to help you take off to success and to a better, more rewarding career experience. We like to think of our content as the premium fuel for your career jetpack. Launchpad 4 includes short articles on resume optimization, interviewing, personal branding, career search strategizing, professional networking, the use of web 2.0 search tools, and much more, by myself and such career experts as: Laura Bellis, Tom Cairns, Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Nisa Chitakasem, Phil Gerbyshak, Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, Heather Huhman, Angie Jones, Matthew Levy, Perry Newman, Judi Perkins, Chris Perry, Brent Peterson, Todd Rhoad, Phil Rosenberg, Mario Schulzke, Dorothy Tannahill-Moran, Harry Urschel and Bill Westfall You can purchase the print or digital version of Launchpad 4 on the Career Rocketeer site. And check out the special offer for the Launchpad Career Search Combo Pack â€" all 4 volumes of Launchpad: Your Career Search Strategy Guide. Related posts: A compilations of some of my best posts: Executive Branding and the New Rules of C-level Job Search 00 0

Top Dos and Donts on How Jobseekers Should Conduct Themselves on Facebook - CareerAlley

Top Do’s and Don’ts on How Jobseekers Should Conduct Themselves on Facebook - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. It is never too late to be what you might have been.George Eliot Opinions differ dramatically when it comes to the way you should conduct yourself on social networking sites such as Facebook. What might be acceptable to one person, might be unacceptable to another. However when you factor potential employers into the equation, it becomes another matter. Suddenly you have more to consider than just family and friends seeing your timeline, you have someone who could decide your professional future. Believe it or not many employers do search for candidates on Facebook, regardless of the sector. With record levels of unemployment plaguing the country, it is important for job-seekers to do everything they can to increase their hiring chances including reviewing their Facebook profiles. Similar to online PR it is an opportunity for self-promotion. DO pick appropriate profile and cover photos first impressions matter hugely and these pictures should reflect how you wish to be seen by employers. That doesnt necessarily mean it cannot be a picture of you with your friends having a drink, but it should not include any nudity, drunken behaviour and so on. DONT swear a potential employer will read recent status updates, and with the introduction of timeline they may even view status updates from two years ago, so unless you would swear in a professional environment, you should not swear on Facebook either. DO use Facebook as a personal platform share news updates and articles that relate to your chosen career. It will show an employer that you are proactive, have a real passion for the industry and that you have a good knowledge of current trends. DONT use negative language when you go for a job interview you would never moan or be negative when answering questions, your attitudes on Facebook should be the same. Do not use negative language, especially about other people. Employers should see you as being a positive person who will be an asset to the team and saying nasty things or just being negative will put an employer off you in an instant. DO follow brands and companies on Facebook as well as following brands that you have a genuine interest in, follow brands that you would potentially like to work for and those that you are applying to work for. Doing this will enable you to view any news updates or promotions which will put you in good stead in an interview. DONT let an employer see your profile if you are uncomfortable with the above points the privacy settings on Facebook are extremely thorough. From being able to review anything you are tagged in before it goes on your wall, to making your profile unsearchable in Facebook and in search engines if you want to you can decide how visible you want to be, but bear in mind that Facebook can be a fantastic way of letting an employer get to see a little part of your personality that CVs dont allow you to do. THE GOLDEN RULE if you would not say it in a work environment, you shouldnt say it on Facebook. Author, Emilie Legrand, is an account executive at integrated search, PR and social media agency Punch Communications. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search.Visit me on Facebook

Will Your Creative Resume Hurt or Help

Will Your Creative Resume Hurt or Help Writing an effective resume requires t he proper format. Resumes that get you hired need to stand apart from the thousands of other resumes companies may receive for a given job listing. For this reason, many people think it’s best to get creative when writing an effective resume. Unfortunately,  resumes and cover letters  that are too unusual can raise red flags and prevent employers from even looking at them. It’s Not Tailored to the Job When prospective employees spend too much time getting creative with their resumes, they often fail to customize them to fit the exact specifications of the job to which they are applying. Whenever you apply for a position, it’s important to specify skills that relate directly to the job. Everything should be tailored to the job’s needs. It Has Too Much Flair The typical font styles may seem boring, but these are the ones employers expect. If you get fancy with fonts or use colorful pie charts and other features, you will take away from your actual skills and distract potential employers. Simple and easy-to-read is essential. You Overdid the Keywords While keywords are a must in today’s resumes and cover letters, especially when submitting them online, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Be careful to choose keywords that relate to your skills and the job, but don’t select too many. It’s also critical to write carefully so it doesn’t read as if you stuffed the keywords in for the sake of including them. Too Much Fluff Resumes that get you hired  are short and to the point. Employers don’t want to spend a lot of time reading. If your resume is filled with irrelevant information or you go into a lot of details, your resume is likely destined for the trash can. Before submitting a resume, read through it and cut out any unnecessary words. Getting creative with your resume and cover letter may seem like it’s the best way to get hired for a job, but it can hurt you in the end. Fluffing out your resume to make it look longer or more impressive is a serious mistake that can put your resume at the bottom of the pile. Too much flair or overstuffed keywords can also lead to disaster, rather than success. If you want to maximize your chances of getting the job you want, make sure your resume is factual and to the point. The best way to stand apart from the other candidates is by  writing an effective resume  that highlights your relevant skills.

What Are the Top 10 Do and Donts For Resume Writing?

What Are the Top 10 Do and Don'ts For Resume Writing?What are the top 10 do and don'ts for resume writing? This is a very common question and one that gets asked on many job applications. The answer may surprise you, but it will get you started to make a change.It's almost been a decade since I first learned this tip and thought I had perfected it by the time I was working as a professional resume writer in a large law firm. So, to answer the question what are the top 10 do and don'ts for resume writing, here is what you must do:* DO avoid plagiarism - Don't use someone else's work for your resume. You can get away with this if you are an experienced and respected writer, but in the world of resume writing this is not possible.* DO avoid plagiarism if you have written it yourself. Not only can you do so, but you should expect that you will get caught if you don't. Make sure you only use someone else's ideas, phrases, and data if it is provided by another source.* DO write the best re sume you can. The best resume should offer every opportunity for employers to get to know you and how you can benefit them.* DO write the summary of your skills as well as the skills that you have that they should be aware of. When they see the job-related skills they can evaluate you, but if you leave the skills alone it could hurt your chances of getting the job.* DO be true to yourself. This will create a more confident and balanced candidate and will help you gain the attention of hiring managers.

The Retail Associate Resume Trap

The Retail Associate Resume Trap The History of Retail Associate Resume Refuted If you're on the lookout for a career in sales, the very first place to begin is in your resume. A sales associate can help customers in making the best choices should they have good understanding of the merchandise and services they're selling. Everything about your resume is selling one product you and if you are wanting to work in retail, you want to demonstrate that you understand precisely what is necessary to sell yourself. Definitions of Retail Associate Resume Usage of effectual titles ought to be considered. Retail Associates are anticipated to do a wide number of tasks every single day, which means that your objective statement should emphasize that you're experienced, responsible, and fully capable of performing such a wide number of duties. Make your points, outlining why you feel you are ideal for the sales associate role. If this is the case, you may be the ideal candidate for a sa les associate job. Never quit applying until you get work. You want to have that retail job. Only if you prefer the greatest retail jobs. The Hidden Truth About Retail Associate Resume You must make your resume reader-friendly so the employer will have the ability to come across the most crucial information instantly. Among the uses of job descriptions is it can act as the foundation for the introduction of a job posting. It's vital to full many critical documents when making use of for work. Your resume provides a window in your history and is one of the most important documents on your job hunt, because it delivers the crucial preliminary impression upon a hiring committee. Retail sales associates work very closely with customers, that's the big reason they have to be in a position to resolve the clients' complaints satisfactorily. The Sales Associate is the very first point of contact in selling a service or product and supplies key details on the value that you'd be p roviding to a prospective customer. Retail Sales Associates play a crucial role in retail establishments since they increase customer satisfaction and generate increased company revenues by helping clients purchase solutions. They play an important role in retail establishments as they increase sales satisfaction and generate higher company future by helping clients purchase products. Here's What I Know About Retail Associate Resume To find out more on what it requires to be a Retail Associate, take a look at our complete Retail Associate Job Description. Sales associates are employed in virtually every area, and have a wonderful growth track. Sales skills are simpler to pin down. You ought to have the requisite skills to be successful in sales. Before you compose an objective for your retail industry resume, make certain you really need to include it. Your sales associate resume needs to seem professional if you wish to have your credentials stick out in a crowded field. Because the retail business is transactional nature, you can readily consist of numerical quantification to project competence. You'll also have to be likeable, have a very good relationship with co-workers and management, and be certain management knows from the start you want to move up. If you're updated on the hottest trends in clothing, furniture, or other hot merchandise, you might be interested in entry-level work in retail. Bear in mind, your retail associates are the front-liners of your organization, therefore you should make sure they can entice your clients to purchase from your shop! Scroll down below and choose the template that is suitable for your retailing requirements! There are quite a lot of places online where you could become totally free.