Why Selling Yourself is Less About YOU Than You Might Think
In this week’s edition of The Job Journal I wanted to look at a concept that’s often misunderstood, especially when it comes to your job search.
'Selling' ourselves.
Mention it to most people and you may as well have farted in a lift (Elevator if you’re in the US. Ascenseur if you’re in France. Aufzug if you’re in Germa…sorry that’s enough I’ll be hear all day).
Here’s the thing, it's not really about selling ourselves at all. It's about understanding and subsequently connecting with your audience, in this case potential clients and employers.
If the thought of selling yourself makes you a little (or A LOT) uncomfortable (apologies for the lift analogy but it’s all I could think of), let’s shift the focus from US i.e. You, to THEM i.e. Hiring Managers
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to 'sell' our skills, experiences, and accomplishments. But here's a thought. What if, instead of focusing on promoting yourself, you focus on how you can be of service to others? How does what you do/ the experience you bring to the table solve a problem for someone else?
Here are 3 ways you can make the process easier…
Work to Understand Your Audience
Think about who you're speaking to. What are their challenges, interests, and aspirations? How can your experience or insights be valuable to them? You can’t please everyone so don’t even try. There’s something to be said for owning your niche.
领英推荐
Share Solutions, Not Just Achievements
Whether you’re sat in an interview or posting content on LinkedIn (i.e working on your personal brand-what do you mean you’re not doing that yet ??) frame it in a way that addresses a potential problem or need of your audience. Instead of just highlighting a project you led, share insights on how it solved a specific issue.
Tell Stories, Not Sales Pitches
Everyone loves a good story. Unless it’s Dave down the pub telling it. His stories are rubbish ???? Share yours in a way that resonates with your audience's experiences. This builds a connection that goes beyond a transactional relationship.
By focusing on our target audience rather than ourselves, we create a more authentic, engaging and, dare I say, human presence that is far more likely to resonate with people as well as simultaneously helping to reduce all that self-induced pressure.
So start shifting your focus from 'selling', to 'sharing' and 'serving', and see just how liberating it can be.
The End.
Enjoyed this edition of The Job Journal? Like, comment and share away and if you’re looking for some advice on how to optimise your LinkedIn profile to give yourself the best chance of landing a new role then you can do that by downloading by FREE LinkedIn playbook ‘Invisible to Irresistible’ via the link below.