How to Market Yourself

By Stephen Knoll on February 23, 2013

In my last post I gave out advice on applying for internships and how to be successful in that, but it got me thinking about something I left out. When you get to the actual interview process, and if you make it that far congratulations since it seems most companies weed out the weak resumes before interviewing, you need to really focus on marketing yourself. Whether your a business major or not, you should understand that a lot of things come down to how people perceive them and that’s what drives a consumer to buy something. Now, think of yourself as a product and try to “sell” yourself to the interviewer. Your resume is what got you in the door, now it’s up to you to prove yourself. No interviewer wants to hear a repeat of the resume so you have you have to make those words on the page tangible, whether or not they are related to the job you make them related so get creative. So then with the basic concept down, I’ll give you another short list of things to work on or think about.

  1. Self-Market

So as I stated before and what will be expanded upon in later points is self-marketing. Companies create a brand image for their products and that’s exactly what you need to do. It’s great to be the “every man” who can take on all jobs that a company has to offer, but everyone is saying that in interviews. In our integrated world it’s hard to hire a person who can do just one job, you need to be a multi-faceted employee. Focus on presenting what you’re good at and why because it’s great if you can do everything, but if you can do a certain job or two much better than everyone else then present that. If you’re a business major who’s created some market strategies for an internship or know a lot about international business then present that, don’t list clubs. Clubs are great, but unless they provide you with some quality experience (i.e. you help manage events or run a committee) they are just resume fillers. You are the only person who is going care about you as a person. Am I making sense? OK I’ll clarify, when you go to an interview obviously there will be more than 1 applicant, sometimes dozens. It’s nothing against you, but a company can’t remember or care about everyone, so you have to be sure to make that impression so that maybe if they don’t remember your face/name they will once they review everything.

2. Be Creative

So remember that whole make yourself memorable bit? If not, go back a sentence or two and find it. This is the easiest way to make yourself memorable to an employer. If you can make a joke or have a funny story by all means tell it. Yes this is a business situation and you want to remain professional, but you are also a human and humans enjoy laughing we are biologically engineered that way. Plus, from at least what I’ve found and I’m sure there’s studies out there, a joke or two here and there will help ease the tension in the room and relax yourself. Some people tend to get so wound up they are like a rubber band about to snap and end up doing more harm to themselves. If you can loosen up the conversation, but still make it relevant and easily reel yourself back into focus it makes a real good first impression to show employers that you’re not only fun, but that you can still be professional. It isn’t guaranteed to get you a job because you probably aren’t the only one who can joke around. I make jokes and keep thi

ngs light in every interview and multiple times I’ve been told (chosen or otherwise) I was one of their best interviews. Understanding the balance between making light humor and being too jokey is often hard to discern though, but it pays off in the end.

3. Play to your strengths

Obvious advice right? But what exactly it means is more what I’m getting at. Employers will already have some preconceived notions about an applicant before they come in, so if you know any good or bad really play that up. Geographic areas are thought to produce different stereotypes of people, so if you’re from the Midwest find some good things about those people and play that up in your personality. If it’s more local or you come from a big city let them know what that’s done for you as a person. During the interview there will obviously be situation-based questions that pertain to how you’d handle on-the-job problems, but as I said the real thing an employer is looking for is how you react as a person. Don’t be afraid if you say a few ‘u
And that’s my advice. It’s not much or based on a bunch of psychological and business facts, it’s based on observations from a guy who’s done a few interviews in his time. Don’t take an interview lightly and never think you’re above a job. Respect the employer and show your enthusiasm, even for a job you know you’ll hate, and the rest will be up to fate. Also if you know you’ll hate a job don’t apply.ms’ or ‘likes’ here and there, you didn’t prepare and memorize a speech, but when you find an answer sound confident and firm with it. Very few employers are going to make you answer something on the spot and will grant you a few seconds or a minute to collect your answer, go with the first thing on your mind and trust your instincts. Sound confident and firm, don’t hesitate too much and you’ll be good.

 

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