Use these sales techniques and smash any job interview

Starting to apply for jobs can be a challenge and a journey of lessons to be learnt - being ready for an interview requires even more effort. Here's why an interview is a sales activity and here's what you should do to smash it:

Both parties have something to say which will influence the outcome of the discussion

Similar to a sales activity in an interview there are always at least two parties. What you choose to say about yourself and about the other side will most definitely count to the result of the meeting.

An interviewer interested in you will try and sell the company and the role to yourself.

As a candidate you will also have to sell yourself in a manner that attracts the employer.

Learn how to present yourself

In a sales activity there's always a starting point - an introduction. An interview is exactly the same - Use this time wisely and present yourself in a manner that makes the interviewer relate to you as an individual. This can be a tricky part and not everyone will be a good at it right away.

You can do a little research beforehand on who will attend the interview, can you find anything online about the person? In my first interview I found out that my interviewer was a teacher in Asia for a while so I used this to break the ice by saying "Hi my name is Daniel, I did a little research on the company and yourself - I see you've been a teacher in Asia for a while - I thought that's awesome - may I ask how did this help you in your current role?"

This introduction helped me show interest in the person (remember this is a person who will most likely work directly with you - they will need to like you!) and I also set the tone is such manner that they will need to give away a few personal experiences which will lead the discussion to a friendlier terrain in my own interest.

Learn how to use questions and LISTEN

If you haven't noticed yet - questioning is important in an interview. So it is in a sales activity. You will have to understand the other side's motivation, interests and goals in order to build a strong selling point based on what they tell you.

LISTEN to your interviewer - ASK key questions about what is important to the company and ONLY then SELL your skills and experience based on what you know is important to them. This will give you a better chance for success.

A few examples are:

1. I understand there are a few positions opened in this department - how many projects are assigned to this team and what impact would it have on the company's goals if you can't find the people to complete the assignments ? - the answer to this question can give you important information on the urgency of hiring and will set you on a higher ground in the final stages of the process.
2. What would I need to do for you to be convinced I can bring value to the team? - This questions is spot on and it makes the interviewer give you the most important information on what you need to be and/or do to get the job! Don't be afraid to ask it!

Sell Sell Sell

If you haven't rushed yet into selling - this is the time to do it and do it properly.

Remember the answers the interviewer gave you, connect them in your mind and sell yourself based on the important information you just received! If you found out being on time at work is crucial for the company - talk about your habit of arriving at work 15 minutes before start.

Close

An interview is a sales activity by which someone gains more than the other. YOU MUST close on the interview on something - hopefully a positive answer.

Don't leave the room without asking what the next steps are or perhaps asking when is it a good time for you to call back asking for feedback? Try and get a specific date and time.

These are just a few things you can use to smash an interview!

Good luck :)