Marketing Your "Best Self"

So you’ve landed the interview. Now what?

Although the interview process may naturally feel more comfortable for some than others, it’s a skill that can be developed and improved through preparation and practice. Remember, you have 2 primary goals:

1. To demonstrate that you are a match for the employer
2. To determine whether or not the employer is a match for you

Both are important for job satisfaction. And in order to set yourself up for success, preparation is key. Follow these 5 steps to help you stand out among the candidate pool!

1. Know yourself.
Create a “strengths chart” of key talents and concrete examples of each. This will help you avoid racking your brain for examples during the interview, or neglecting to provide examples altogether. A comprehensive strengths chart might include the following:

a) Identify 5 of your greatest strengths.
These can be natural talents you possess or skills you have learned. If you need help identifying your top 5 strengths, check out StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. You can order a copy of the book on amazon.com, and it comes with an online assessment code. For more information, visit www.strengthsquest.com.

b) Identify a key word or phrase that best describes each strength.
Be able to articulate your strength to others in a manner that is succinct and easy to understand.

c) Provide an example of when you used each strength to achieve success.
Examples may be drawn from prior work experience, internships, volunteer/community involvements, courses, etc.

d) Be able to explain the value that each strength will add to a prospective employer.
You want to be able to articulate how your talents will benefit prospective customers/clients, team members, etc. How will you impact the “bottom line?”

Example:

Strength - Positive demeanor

Key Word/Phrase - Optimistic; possess contagious enthusiasm

Example from Prior Experience - Sales Position: Received “Employee of the Month” within first month for ability to successfully motivate clients to purchase products and energize team members to exceed sales goals

Value Added to Employer - Can create more engaged clients and team members; gain immediate buy-in for ideas; create positive organizational culture, which ultimately increases productivity


2. Prepare several success stories using the STAR method:
a. S = Situation: What was the situation? Explain the context.
b. T = Task: What was the task at hand?
c. A = Action: What action did you take (i.e., your role)?
d. R = Result: What was the final outcome (i.e., a positive result or new learning)?

Using the STAR method is particularly effective for behavioral interview questions, when the employer asks you to give an example of a past situation and how you handled it (e.g., “Give an example of a time when you handled a client/customer complaint.”). The intention is to infer how you might handle similar situations in the future. Having several “STAR” stories prepared, will help you provide comprehensive responses during the interview.

3. Know the employer and the position.
Research the employer to determine what its values, mission, products/services are. Check out its web site. Connect with people who might have a direct link to the employer through your immediate network and your extended network, using referrals or online networking sites (e.g., www.linkedin.com). Review the job description to determine the key qualifications being sought. Researching before the interview allows you to better articulate how your strengths match those the employer is seeking.

4. Conduct mock interviews.
How often do we plan what we are going to say in our heads, and then when the time comes to actually say it aloud, we stumble over our words, or ramble, or become speechless? Practice responding to sample interview questions aloud so that you can receive feedback for improvement. Doing so will give you the opportunity to continue refining your answers. Ask a trusted mentor or career coach to evaluate your nonverbal behaviors (i.e., facial expressions, posture, vocal tone, etc.), in addition to your verbal content. Remember: The majority of our communication is nonverbal.

And don’t forget a firm handshake! Besides appearance, the handshake is your first impression and can reflect confidence or insecurity within a matter of seconds!

5. Dress professionally and appropriate to the industry and employer.
It would be nice to say that appearance doesn’t matter, but it does. You are making an impression in the way that you present yourself. Can you present yourself as a professional? Is your dress appropriate for the industry and the organizational culture to which you are applying? For more information about interview attire, visit www.quintcareers.com (Click on “Dress for Success” from the A-Z Index.).

When the current economic situation is not at its best, it’s even more important for you to be. As I tell my clients, devote more time and intention into marketing your “best self.” It makes a difference.
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