Being invited to a big interview is an excellent opportunity to display your skills and show the employer that you are the best fit, if not the ideal candidate, for the job you’re applying for. To do this, you could emphasize your relevant career experience and essential skills, also known as soft skills, along with your hard skills. You could also add your professional accomplishments to leave a great impression on the recruiter.
When we can better learn how to promote ourselves during a big interview, we increase our chances of moving forward in the hiring process. That’s why in this blog, we shall discuss what it is to self-promote during a big interview and how to execute this to display how great you are for the job that you’re trying to bag.
Let’s examine what it means to “sell yourself” in a big interview, particularly a job interview.
Showing the job interviewer or the company’s hiring manager that you are capable of the role you’re applying for and that equates you to be an asset to the company is all about “selling yourself.” When you genuinely and openly express how you can execute tasks for the job that you’re interviewing for, and at the same time, specifically share your skills and traits that make you successful at what you do and for the role, then this is clearly showing them what they can expect from you when they hire you.
One way of showing this is by highlighting that you hold a couple of professional licenses or certifications in leadership, a master’s degree, or even proficiency in speaking foreign languages. Consider what will make you stand out from the other candidates or make them see you as a rare find that will be an added value to their organization. You let the key people know about your professional assets by doing the following: By the time the big interview is about to end, you’re sure that they are going to remember you because you made sure that you have provided them with everything they need to know about your outstanding skill set and career achievements.
Presenting the most excellent or unique skills and achievements you’ve attained is selling yourself. This sets you apart from other candidates despite you doing the same job. Selling yourself gives the interviewer a better preview of who you are. They could paint a clearer picture of your personality, behavior, principles, and beliefs. By bringing to light your professional capabilities, interests, and capacity to build meaningful connections, all of that information effectively demonstrates the benefits you can get to the organization if they choose to hire you.
To persuade the interviewer or hiring manager that collaborating with you provides the most strategic choice for their organization, consider doing these steps:
Gain confidence and feel comfortable talking about yourself
There’s nothing wrong when you start permitting yourself to talk about yourself positively!
Grant yourself the freedom to do so and let yourself feel confident and comfortable doing it. This skill can be honed, and the more you do this consistently, doing this during the big interview should come out naturally. Start by talking to yourself in front of a mirror, or you can seek a friend’s help to listen to you and observe, then share their feedback. This way, you can know what to do or continue doing well and what you should not do. You could even talk to yourself loudly while doing something else. This helps you sound more conversational, another plus during a big interview.
Furthermore, when meeting with a potential employer, consider what aspects of your qualifications and achievements you want them to remember most. Incorporate metrics into your descriptions to make your accomplishments more tangible and impressive. Use percentages, numbers, and concrete evidence to demonstrate the positive impact of your actions in the workplace. This technique will help you feel more comfortable discussing your strengths and make your qualifications stand out during the big interview process. You can start by listing the milestones you have achieved in your career, such as a project that resulted in notable savings for the company you worked with or an increase in a metric (CSAT) that caused fewer escalations from customers while you handled a particular program. Having these accomplishments can show legitimacy in your statements. It would be best if you exuded confidence to become more comfortable discussing yourself during an big interview. This can be achieved through your tone of voice and body language. Additionally, thorough preparation can enhance your confidence level.
Position yourself alongside the needs of the company.
To excel in an big interview, a good strategy is to understand your potential employer’s needs and desires, which is crucial. Begin by thoroughly reading the job description to identify the company’s priorities and preferences for the role. Research the company’s history and corporate culture to gain insights into its values and work environment. Reflect on what the company likely expects from someone in this position. Use this understanding to craft your answers to common interview questions, demonstrating your grasp of their needs and your distinctive ability to align with them. This tailored approach showcases your genuine interest in the company and positions you as a strong candidate for the role.
The job description may indicate the company is searching for a self-sufficient candidate who would be an excellent employee due to their positive outlook or positive attitude. To prepare your answers effectively, emphasize your ability to work independently and maintain high productivity. Additionally, reflect on positive qualities that your colleagues have recognized and attributed to you. By tailoring your answer accordingly, ensure your responses align with the employer’s interests. Remember to select the most relevant examples from your previous career experiences that align with the qualities the employer seeks in a candidate. Reviewing your resume before the big interview can help identify ways your experiences align with the employer’s expectations.
Organize your discussion points.
Enumerate the points that make you the best candidate for the job. Choose the words that align with what the employer is looking for. Please memorize your main points, which you must discuss organically to sell yourself smoothly when asked all of the interview questions listed. One tip you must consider is developing an elevator pitch that will be around 30 seconds long. This way, you can create a personal summary of your best milestones in less than 30 words. The format here would begin with an introduction followed by career objectives and then end with your achievements.
If your industry utilizes portfolios, leverage this tool to showcase your talents. A strategically organized display of your accomplishments serves multiple purposes. Not only does it serve as a reminder of your discussion points, but it also effectively demonstrates your professional skills. For example, use the projects in your portfolio to highlight instances where you displayed leadership or made notable contributions recognized by the industry.
Formulate and ask thought-provoking questions.
As the big interview winds down, the interviewer or the hiring manager may invite you to ask questions regarding the job role or the organization. Take this opportunity to demonstrate your attentiveness during the interview and highlight your interest or enthusiasm for the role. It would be ideal to inquire about the company’s expectations for the new hire, signaling your readiness to meet those standards and adapt to a new work environment.
Please do your best to ask questions that display your perseverance and diligence in researching the company, such as the company’s future plans or current projects they are working on. If possible, thoughtfully share your positive experience with the company as a customer. Consider presenting innovative ideas for new products or services. Job interviewers or hiring managers interview numerous candidates, so aim to make a lasting professional impression that sets you apart.
Let’s talk about these tips so you can sell yourself better in an big interview:
The power of nonverbal communication
Consider your body language and nonverbal cues in big interviews. Smile to show friendliness, nod to show engagement, and dress professionally to exude confidence.
Don’t forget to be 100% genuine.
There’s no need to exaggerate your achievements in your interview. There’s also no need to be too self-absorbed because it’s still valuable to be humble rather than boast about what you have achieved as an employee. By doing so, you show yourself as a 100% genuine candidate to the job interviewer or the hiring manager. This effectively sells who you indeed are.
Get ready for the big interview
Investing ample time in preparation is crucial to excel in your big interview. This will equip you to confidently answer questions and mitigate nervousness on the day of your actual interview. To do this, start by thoroughly researching the company to gain insights into the individuals interviewing you. Additionally, revisit the job description and review your resume. Pit it against each other, ensuring that you check it well and that the information you share with the talent acquisition or hiring team will guide you in preparing for potential questions they may ask.
Let us help you hone your skills so you can give the best interview responses to several challenging questions. Reach out to us at www.interview-expert.com or call us at 859-572-4499. Let’s journey towards success in your big interview!
