How to Sell Yourself in an Interview: 7 Practical Tips for Success

Published on 13 March 2023 7 min read

Contents

3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

4. Highlight Your Accomplishments

7. Follow Up After the Interview

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but they're also an opportunity for you to shine and show potential employers what you bring to the table. Knowing how to sell yourself in an interview is key to standing out from the competition and landing your dream job. In this blog, we'll share seven practical tips that will help you succeed in selling yourself during an interview.

1. Research the Company

Before you step foot in the interview room, it's important to have a good understanding of the company you're interviewing with. Doing your homework not only shows that you're genuinely interested in the company, but also helps you tailor your responses to what they're looking for. Here's what you should do:

Visit the company's website: Learn about their products, services, mission, values, and culture. This will give you a good idea of what the company stands for and how you can fit in.
Read recent news articles: Stay up-to-date on industry trends and any recent developments related to the company. This will help you come across as well-informed and engaged during the interview.
Check out their social media profiles: This can give you a sense of the company's culture and how they interact with their customers, employees, and the public.
Review the job description: Make sure you understand the role you're interviewing for and can speak to how your skills and experience align with the company's needs.

Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better prepared to explain how you can contribute to the company's success and why you're the right candidate for the job. Remember, knowing how to sell yourself in an interview starts with knowing the company you want to join.

2. Dress for Success

First impressions matter, and your appearance plays a big role in how you're perceived during an interview. Dressing professionally shows that you respect the company and take the opportunity seriously. Here are some tips to help you dress for success:

Research the company's dress code: Look for clues on their website, social media, or even reach out to current employees to get a sense of what's appropriate to wear.
Err on the side of formality: Even if the company has a casual dress code, it's better to dress slightly more formally for the interview. A good rule of thumb is to dress one level above the company's dress code.
Keep it neat and clean: Make sure your clothes are freshly laundered, wrinkle-free, and well-fitting. Avoid clothes with stains, tears, or visible wear.
Pay attention to details: Don't forget about your shoes, accessories, and personal grooming. These small details can have a big impact on your overall appearance.

When you look good, you feel good — and that confidence will shine through during your interview. Remember, part of knowing how to sell yourself in an interview involves looking the part.

3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a concise, engaging summary of who you are, what you've accomplished, and what you're looking for in your next opportunity. It's a powerful tool to have in your arsenal when learning how to sell yourself in an interview. Here's how to create an effective elevator pitch:

Identify your unique selling points: What sets you apart from other candidates? This could be your skills, experiences, or personal traits.
Focus on your goals: What do you want to achieve in your career? Be specific about the type of role or industry you're targeting.
Keep it short and sweet: Your elevator pitch should be no longer than 30-60 seconds. Practice delivering it in a clear, confident manner.
Make it memorable: Use strong, descriptive words and phrases that paint a vivid picture of who you are and what you can bring to the table.

Having a well-crafted elevator pitch at the ready will help you quickly and effectively introduce yourself to potential employers, making it an essential part of knowing how to sell yourself in an interview.

4. Highlight Your Accomplishments

Another key aspect of learning how to sell yourself in an interview is showcasing your accomplishments. Employers want to see evidence of your past successes and how they can translate into future success in their company. To effectively highlight your accomplishments, follow these simple steps:

Be specific: Instead of making general statements, provide concrete examples of your achievements. Did you increase sales by 15%? Improve customer satisfaction ratings? Streamline a process that saved time or money?
Use numbers: Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. This adds credibility to your claims and helps employers better understand your impact.
Focus on relevant accomplishments: Tailor your examples to fit the job you're applying for. Highlight the accomplishments that best demonstrate your ability to excel in the specific role or industry.
Showcase your problem-solving skills: Describe a challenge you faced, how you addressed it, and the positive outcome. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and adapt to new situations.

By effectively highlighting your accomplishments, you'll demonstrate your value to potential employers and increase your chances of success in learning how to sell yourself in an interview.

5. Ask Smart Questions

Asking smart questions is an essential part of learning how to sell yourself in an interview. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the position, and it helps you stand out from other candidates. To ask smart questions, keep these tips in mind:

Do your homework: Research the company and the role to come up with informed questions. This will show that you've taken the time to understand the organization and its goals.
Ask open-ended questions: Avoid simple yes or no questions — instead, ask questions that encourage deeper conversations and provide valuable insights. For example, ask about the company culture, the team dynamics, or the expectations for the role.
Focus on the future: Inquire about the company's future plans and how the role you're applying for fits into those plans. This shows that you're thinking long-term and are interested in growing with the organization.
Listen actively: Pay close attention to the interviewer's responses and ask follow-up questions when appropriate. This demonstrates your engagement in the conversation and your ability to think critically.

By asking smart questions, you'll not only gain valuable information about the company and the role, but you'll also show your potential employer that you're a proactive and thoughtful candidate, which is crucial when learning how to sell yourself in an interview.

6. Show Your Passion

When learning how to sell yourself in an interview, showcasing your passion for the role and the company is vital. Employers want to hire individuals who are enthusiastic about their work and who genuinely care about the success of the organization. Here are some ways to demonstrate your passion during an interview:

Tell a story: Share personal experiences that illustrate your passion for the industry, your dedication to your work, or your excitement about the company's mission. This helps the interviewer see you as a committed and motivated candidate.
Use expressive language: Choose words that convey your enthusiasm and energy, such as "excited," "motivated," or "inspired." This helps create a positive and engaging atmosphere during the interview.
Highlight your skills and interests: Discuss the specific aspects of the role that align with your abilities and interests. This shows that you're not only capable of performing the job but also excited about the opportunity to do so.
Be genuine: Avoid exaggerating your passion or overstating your interest in the role. Instead, be sincere in expressing your enthusiasm and be prepared to back up your claims with concrete examples from your experience.

By showing your passion, you'll be more memorable to the interviewer and more likely to make a lasting impression. Remember, demonstrating your enthusiasm is a key aspect of knowing how to sell yourself in an interview.

7. Follow Up After the Interview

Following up after an interview is a crucial step in learning how to sell yourself in an interview. It not only shows your professionalism but also helps to reinforce your interest in the position and your appreciation for the opportunity. Here are some guidelines for crafting an effective follow-up message:

Send a thank-you email: Within 24 hours of the interview, send a brief and thoughtful email expressing your gratitude for the interviewer's time and consideration. This simple gesture can leave a lasting impression on the interviewer.
Be specific: Mention key points from the conversation that resonated with you or that you found particularly interesting. This demonstrates your attentiveness during the interview and your genuine interest in the role.
Reiterate your enthusiasm: Briefly remind the interviewer of why you're the perfect fit for the position and how excited you are about the opportunity. This helps to reinforce your passion and commitment to the role.
Keep it concise: Your follow-up message should be brief and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs and focus on expressing your appreciation and interest in a clear and concise manner.

Following up effectively is an essential part of knowing how to sell yourself in an interview. By taking the time to demonstrate your gratitude and interest, you'll leave a lasting impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job.

If you're looking to improve your skills in marketing yourself as a photographer, don't miss the workshop 'How To Sell Yourself As A Photographer' by louisbever. This workshop will provide you with the essential tips and strategies to help you stand out in the competitive world of photography and attract your ideal clients.

If you’re looking for more tips and advice, you could also check out the workshop "Building A Sustainable Career As A Multidisciplinary Artist" by Rosa van Iterson.

By taking the time to develop a unique selling proposition, create a professional brand, utilise social media, network with other creatives, build your portfolio, and follow up with potential customers, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful and sustainable career in the creative industry.