A New approach to the job interview

Are you under the impression that a job interview is a friendly discussion with someone who has your best interests at heart? Think again! One way to approach this often uncomfortable situation is to rethink the interview process and consider it as a sales transaction. You (the seller) meeting with a potential customer (employer), and you must now assume the role of a dynamic salesperson convincing your buyer that you are worth every penny of their investment. Accomplished sales people thoroughly understand and know their products or services and follow specific strategies to market and sell to their customers. To be successful in your job search you too, must be just as focused in selling your product - you!
Here are some strategies to help you get started:
Know your audience - .the phrase in real estate is: location, location, location. In interviewing, it's preparation, preparation, preparation. Research the company, know what is expected and being prepared for the interview is the key to success. Researching a potential employer allows you to identify sales "hot buttons" or areas you uncover that will enable you to link your responses during the interview to company objectives. Before your interview, learn all you can about the company's mission, culture, products, and structure and be prepared to discuss them.
1. Here are some research resources - Business Wire: http://businesswire.com a leading source for press releases, photos, multimedia and regulatory filings from companies, Wet Feet: http://wetfeet.com provides company overviews and rankings as well as articles about career advice, Hoovers: http://hoovers.com you will find company information, detailed business reports, industry profiles and useful links, Yahoo Financial: http://quote.yahoo.com allows extensive database searches for reports from corporations, foundations, banks, mutual funds and public institutions, Thomas Net: http://news.thomasnet.com detailed and comprehensive information on suppliers of industrial products and services in North America, CI (Corporate Information): http://corporateInformation.com is a relatively comprehensive corporate profiles website, Earnings Whispers: http://www.earningswhispers.com like it’s title you will find earnings information for corporations directly from securities analysts
2. Know your product - You! You must know your resume, if you received help putting it together, it’s still yours and you must know how to use it effectively! What are your strengths? Your skills? Your accomplishments? Can you describe how the company will benefit from hiring you? Do you have complete product knowledge (yourself), not just your functional talents like marketing, finance, IT, HR etc., but the broad abilities you possess such as negotiating, forecasting, and organizing? Can you also sell your personality-based skills like organizational, managerial, assertiveness, dedication, and interpersonal skills?
3. Show the benefits of your product - Men don't buy electric drills, they buy the holes the drills make. Women don't buy shampoo, they buy the softness, shine and clean hair that the shampoo provides. Be prepared to describe why they should buy your “drill or shampoo”! Do an inventory of your career for examples of exceptional performance and accomplishments. Write down brief examples describing these successes and find a place during the interview to talk about them.
4. Use the ABC's of sales – “Always Be Closing” - If you are interested in the position, just like any good sales person, you need to ask for the order. You can move the conversation in that direction by phrases like: "I’m very interested in this position, what is the next step in the hiring process?" or “Now that I know a little more about the position, I think my background and skills match well with the position…where do you think we should go from here?" People buy from people they like and trust – create the impression that what they are buying or investing in, is the value you bring to the organization.  "Subscribe" to receive the latest articles from Terry or to chat live: click here