How to sell yourself professionally - Tom O'Neil www.cv.co.nz

Summary

In this video, career specialist Tom O'Neil shares advice on how to effectively sell oneself during a job interview, a task many New Zealanders find challenging due to their natural humility. He emphasizes the importance of highlighting specific achievements and responsibilities, rather than simply listing job titles. Tom explains how to approach interviews with a 'sales mentality,' offering practical tips such as reviewing job descriptions and preparing questions for the interviewer. The conversation also touches on how to present personal examples to showcase your value, even if you're just starting out.

Takeaways

• 😀 The job interview process is a time to promote yourself and showcase your value to potential employers.
• 😀 Kiwis often struggle to sell themselves due to cultural modesty, but the job interview is one moment when it’s important to highlight your strengths.
• 😀 A 'sales mentality' in job interviews means actively marketing your skills and achievements, not just stating what you're good at.
• 😀 Don’t just list your job title on your CV; highlight the extra responsibilities you’ve taken on and how they show your growth and value.
• 😀 Provide specific examples of your accomplishments in past roles, such as additional responsibilities or achievements, to demonstrate your worth.
• 😀 Employers want to know what value you can bring to their organization. Show them through concrete examples of your past work and skills.
• 😀 It's crucial to identify your key strengths and achievements by reviewing the job description and thinking of specific examples from your experience that align with the role’s requirements.
• 😀 When answering interview questions, don’t just give a yes or no response. Provide relevant examples to back up your answers, but avoid over-explaining.
• 😀 Asking questions at the end of an interview is important. Avoid saying, 'No, I don’t have any questions.' Instead, ask thoughtful questions about the role or the company.
• 😀 Good questions could include asking about the challenges of the role, the team you’d be working with, or the department's main objectives.
• 😀 If the interviewer answers all your questions during the interview, politely thank them at the end to show appreciation and maintain a positive impression.

Q & A

Why do New Zealanders find it difficult to promote themselves in job interviews?

New Zealanders are generally humble and culturally inclined to avoid boasting about their achievements. This can make it challenging for them to effectively market themselves during job interviews.

What is meant by approaching a job interview with a 'sales mentality'?

A 'sales mentality' in a job interview refers to the idea of promoting and marketing yourself, not just listing your skills but highlighting specific achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate your value to the employer.

How can someone highlight their achievements during a job interview?

Instead of simply stating your job title, focus on specific examples of extra responsibilities you've taken on. For instance, if you were a receptionist who later handled accounts or human resources tasks, be sure to mention those additional duties and their impact.

Can you give an example of how someone can showcase their value during an interview?

A good example is a young woman who worked as a salesperson but was also in charge of the store, managing $20,000 a week in sales and securing stock worth half a million dollars. These are significant achievements that were not initially apparent from her CV.

How can job seekers assess their own strengths and achievements for a job interview?

A good approach is to review the job advertisement and description. Look for qualities the employer is seeking, such as leadership, problem-solving, or teamwork, and then think of examples from your past roles that demonstrate those abilities.

What should you do if you're unsure of your achievements or strengths during a job interview?

If you're unsure, consider reviewing the job description for specific skills or qualities the employer is seeking. Reflect on your past roles and try to identify moments where you demonstrated those skills or took on additional responsibilities.

What is the best way to answer questions during a job interview without going off track?

You should focus on answering the interviewer's questions directly and clearly, providing examples when appropriate. Avoid over-explaining or going off on tangents, as this can make you appear less focused.

How should you respond when asked, 'Do you have any questions?' at the end of an interview?

Avoid saying 'no' as it may give the impression that you're not interested. Instead, ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, or challenges the department faces. This shows your interest and helps you gather more information about the job.

Why is asking the right questions at the end of the interview important?

Asking the right questions shows that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the role. It also helps you gain insight into the company culture and what the job entails, which is important for making an informed decision.

What should you do if the recruiter answers all your questions during the interview process?

If the recruiter has already addressed all your questions, it's fine to thank them for the thorough answers and let them know you have no further questions. This shows that you appreciate their time and insight.