How to Convince Your Prospective Employer that You are the Best for the Job
Convince Your Prospective Employer
Throughout your employment hunt, there should be a clear theme that holds true. It must be evident in your interviews, cover letters, LinkedIn page, and resumes. Selling yourself is what it all comes down to, so how do you go about doing that in each document and at each level of the job search process?
You must prove your worth.
Sounds challenging, doesn’t it? How can I determine my value? is probably what you’re wondering. How can you possible convey value in words once you do know? To help you accomplish it correctly, consider the following dos and don’ts.
Do make an effort to illustrate your points. When you write phrases like “Sandra was unhappy,” “Sandra was upset,” or “Sandra was excited” over and over again in a creative story, few readers will be compelled to read on. A story works best when it conveys emotions, and examples are what do that. Therefore, instead of stating that you have excellent communication abilities, consider concrete instances from your job experience where you have proven them. That information belongs on your LinkedIn page as well as your resume and cover letter.
Instead of listing your values to a potential employer, give specific examples. Any reputable creative writing instructor will tell you this. How does this actually appear? Avoid overused terms like “great verbal and written communication abilities.” You’re just informing the reader that you possess those traits, which is something anyone can say.
Make sure a broad audience can grasp your writing. Ask a friend who is not familiar with your line of work or business to examine your resume and cover letter so they may point out any areas that need more explanation. Whenever possible, write down acronyms, and give a brief description of lesser-known businesses or organizations.
Do not presume that your reader is knowledgeable about your field or industry. Although the individual may have drafted or assisted in drafting the job description, it’s possible that he lacks a thorough understanding of the qualifications needed for the position and for your line of work in general.
Don’t forget to include your work’s quantitative and qualitative outcomes. For many occupations, this can be challenging, but results don’t always have to be measured. There are various ways to express verbally the effect of your effort. Did you spare the time of your employer or a coworker? Did you conduct any research that a colleague later used in a publication?
Don’t make false or inflated claims or numbers. Estimates are acceptable, but you shouldn’t exaggerate your accomplishments. People that regularly browse through a large number of resumes and conduct interviews with prospects are frequently able to spot these lies right away. It’s not acceptable to claim you managed a product launch when you didn’t.
Do show a potential employer how you might assist them in conducting business more wisely. You can probably do the same for a potential employer if you’ve improved processes in the past. Ensure that those instances are included.
Don’t assert yourself too confidently. You might not get very far if you acknowledge in a cover letter or during an interview that the company has made mistakes, which is why a rival has surpassed them. You’re still an outsider, so it won’t do you any good to jump right in and start criticizing. Even if it’s accurate, it’s unlikely that their staff members want to hear it from you. Just a negative impression is created.
Include honors, acknowledgment, and awards. Instead of being tucked away behind job descriptions in bullet points, awards and distinctions should have their own area. Find a way to mention any compliments you received from a client or coworker in your cover letter and/or interview. Additionally, you can ask for recommendations on LinkedIn. This will provide you with tools to convince your prospective employer.
Don’t make your reader search for facts, and don’t hide accomplishments you should be proud of. There is a reason why you were given the honor or distinction. By emphasizing these, you only benefit.
Although demonstrating your value in writing or vocally is difficult, you must develop this ability for your job hunt and career. Consider a time when you met a new person who piqued your interest on the job. Will you introduce yourself by saying, “Hello, I’m Mike. I am a fantastic communicator and leader. Yawn.
You must demonstrate to them your strengths as a leader and communicator. What sets you apart from your rivals? Why should they choose to speak with you over the other candidates? Nobody will infer the value you offer to a company for you if you don’t provide instances that have an impact, thus it’s unlikely that you’ll be called in for an interview. Do consider what you’ve accomplished and what sticks out, and give them your best effort. If you must get that dream job, be ready to convince your prospective employer.
