Job Interviews and The Secret of Selling Yourself
A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is to promote its benefits as well as its features.
Very simply, features are what something has; benefits are what those features do for you.
For example, if you're selling your used Oldsmobile, one of the features you might mention is its large trunk.
If you focus only on the feature, you'll say, "This car has a large trunk." (Yawn) But if you promote that feature with its benefit, you could say, "The trunk is huge. You can get three suitcases and your golf bag in there for a trip to Disneyland and still have plenty of room for all the souvenirs you'll want to bring home!" See how that makes a more powerful impression?
The potential buyer can visualize how this car with its large trunk can make packing for his next trip much easier. Use the same tactic for each feature of the car, and (Ka-ching!) you have a much quicker sale.
When you're preparing your resume or answering questions during an interview, you're selling yourself, so use that same tactic: sell your benefits along with your features! Here's how:
Consider these typical "features" a job applicant might mention during an interview:
? 10 Years of Experience
? Ability to Type 90 Words Per Minute
? Strong Organizational Skills
? Dedicated
? Excellent Communicator
? 2004 Administrator of the Year, Acme International Inc.
Those are pretty impressive. Now let's see how you can turn those "features" into "benefits:"
? Feature: 10 Years of Experience. Benefits: "I know what to expect in this type of position; I've handled this type of work before; I won't need much training or supervision; I'll hit the ground running and will start producing right away."
? Feature: Ability to Type 90 Words Per Minute. Benefits: "I can get your 10-page reports done in less than an hour; I will speed up your work flow."
? Feature: Strong Organizational Skills. Benefits: "I'll keep track of your schedule so you'll always be on time and have the materials you need; I will be able to quickly retrieve any document; I will prioritize my workload to ensure the most critical projects are don e first; I will save you time; I'll help you make your boss happy."
? Feature: Dedicated. Benefits: "I will support the company's overall mission and do whatever I can to help achieve it; I won't complain about hard work or long hours; I will faithfully do my job to the best of my ability."
? Feature: Excellent Communicator. Benefits: "I will easily be able to give you and your staff the information you and they need, whether in verbal or written form; I will be able to compose much of your correspondence, relieving you of that duty; I will save you time and effort."
? Feature: Administrator of the Year, 2003, Acme International Inc. Benefits: "I'm very good at what I do, and you don't have to take my word for it ? here's proof that others have recognized my skill, professionalism, and outstanding contributions."
Even more impressive! See how that works? A "feature" is nice. But even better is answering the hiring manager's unspoken question, "So why is that important?" You do that by selling your "benefits."
Make a list of your own features and their corresponding benefits. Learn to promote these benefits to your potential employer. Do this in your cover letter, your resume, and during your interview to make a powerful impression.
You will SELL yourself into a new job!
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
 Google News Updated : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:11:53 GMT UN agency to resume Gaza aid work - BBC News
BBC News - The UN aid agency Unrwa is to resume operations in Gaza as soon as possible after receiving assurances on safety from Israel, a spokeswoman said. Video: Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel UN aid chief disappointed Gaza truce call ignored Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:09 GMT Boston fire truck smashes into building; 4 injured - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Fire Department says a ladder truck has crashed into a high-rise apartment building, injuring at least four firefighters. Fire truck crashes into Boston building Boston firefighter killed when truck crashes into building Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:01:03 GMT Palin: Media Portrayal Would Be 'Prettier' If She'd Been Dem VP ... - ABC News
ABC News - By LEE FERRAN Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is still fuming over the coverage she received during the presidential campaign and claims that if she were from a different "class" or political party, the her coverage would have much "prettier. Palin: Crazy or Crazy Like a Fox? Finally! Sarah Strikes Back at the Mainstream Media Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:32:12 GMT US lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008 - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - By Louis Uchitelle NEW YORK: US employers shed 2.6 million jobs in 2008, the worst year since 1945, the government reported Friday, and a rapidly deteriorating economy promises more significant losses ahead. Video: Jobless Rate Jumps to 7.2 Percent in December Unemployment hits 7.2 percent Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:56:06 GMT Ukraine limits gas consumption as cut-off bites - Reuters
Reuters - By Pavel Polityuk and Guy Faulconbridge KIEV, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Ukraine limited gas supplies to industrial customers on Friday to ensure the pipeline system remained operational, the latest sign that the dispute is starting to further sap Ukraine's ... Video: Ukraine is blackmailing us Putin Europe Kept Waiting for Gas Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:08:44 GMT SCENARIOS: Challenges for Obama intelligence team - Reuters Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama on Friday named retired Adm. Dennis Blair to oversee US spy agencies as director of national intelligence, and chose former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta as CIA director. Obama completes national security team Pelosi on Panetta: ''Impeccable judgment, unquestioned integrity'' Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:19 GMT Report: COBRA cost outweighs Florida jobless benefit - Bizjournals.com
Bizjournals.com - Florida is one of nine states in which the average premium for COBRA, providing health care coverage for laid-off workers and their families, equals or exceeds the average unemployment benefits, according to a study by Families USA. Unemployed: Out of Luck, Out of Health Care Health insurance no bargain for unemployed: group Publ.Date : Fri, 09 Jan 2009 20:25:59 GMT Increased Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... There are lots of free resume examples (or free resume... Read More Best Strategy using Internet Job Search EnginesThere are hundreds of... Read More Maybe "buck" is better referred to as the Boss' Challenge.... Read More The best cover letters are 'one-page wonders.' Why? Because they... Read More Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More The Question: After identifying a potential employer, I get contact... Read More Regardless of where you open your briefcase or palm pilot... Read More Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More Looking for work can be difficult, frustrating, anxiety-provoking, and demeaning.There... Read More Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to... Read More If published statistics are accurate, employment agencies and search firms... Read More Sometimes, when going on job interviews, you might end up... Read More Stories of intrigue, treachery, politics, lies, double crosses,... Read More America may be the Land of Opportunity, but this is... Read More Q. Right after I accepted my new position, the manager... Read More Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte... Read More What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters... Read More Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More If you still picture a steady progression up the ladder... Read More There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I... Read More Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so... Read More
Adsense
websites
Free Resume Examples: Use Them, But Dont
Best Strategy Using Internet Job Search Engines
Leaders Meet Challenge Heads-UP With Confidence --
How To Write The Perfect Cover Letter: Be Brief--And Be Gone!
Listening for Interview Success
Looking for Work in All the Wrong Places
Career Success: Get Ahead of the Crowd
Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?
Self-Preservation Techniques For The Unemployed
What You Should Never Put on Your Resume
Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!
Seven Steps to Better Networking
The Group Interview
The Musketeer Approach
The Case For Internships
Career Strategy When Your Boss is a Bully
Telecommuting Website (Part Two)
Acceptance is the Answer to All Our Problems
How to Make More Job Contacts Faster, through Viral Marketing
Stepping Stone Jobs
Career Killers to Avoid
Closing the Gap on Your Career Goals
Make Your Career Offshore Proof
Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills
Dont Quit Your Day Job! Convincing Your Boss To Let You Telecommute, Part 1 of 2
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Franchising Offers NO Guarantees --
You have to ask --- IS a FRANCHISE FOR YOU?There... Read More
Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For
When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More
Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want
Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More
Dont Forget to Say, Thank You
One of the biggest mistake for job seeks is to... Read More
How Well Do You Manage Your Boss?
Are you in this situation? You and your boss just... Read More
Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Putting Your Attention on What You Dont Want!
If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More
Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job
When you start a new job, you probably realize the... Read More
Rethink Your Career Transition
Are you going nowhere in your career? If you've decided... Read More
Resume Formats ... The Hidden Pitfalls
Deciding on a resume format is the first major decision... Read More
Keep Your Phone Costs Down!
When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More
What is a Career Anyway?
A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More
Job Search Campaign Tip: An Activity Diary
Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities:... Read More
Advantages of Mobile Oil Changes; A Potential Small Business for You?
Mobile oil change and mobile lubes are great for fleet... Read More
You Are Not Entitled to a Job!
Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting...First of all, nobody owes... Read More
Three Myths About Resume Writing
Your perspective on resumes ? what they are and how... Read More
Resume Writing and Preparation is Free Online
Creating a strong resume is a very important part of... Read More
Discontentment in the Workplace
While more people are finding employment, more employed workers are... Read More
Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter
Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions... Read More
Career Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love
Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More
Job Search: Age-Proofing Your Resume
Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be... Read More
Job Search Tip for College Students
Today everyone is looking for that special job that will... Read More
How to Be Prepared for a Layoff
If you are concerned that your company might be planning... Read More
Job Interviews -- The Real Reasons Why You Need to Follow Up
Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key... Read More
Learning a Foreign Language
Many people love learning languages or would like to learn... Read More
When and How to Say I Just Cant Do It!
We naturally hesitate to tell our boss when we can't... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |