How is Your Sales Pitch?

Perfecting your sales pitch will help you progress through the ranks, opening doors that can lead to new opportunities. So how do you begin this process? I suggest you start by imagining yourself sitting in front of a prospective employer who is saying, "Tell us about yourself." This request is akin to their asking, "Why should I buy your product. What can you do better than your competition? Convince me that you're right for this job."

Start by making a list of your best qualities as well as those that make you unique. Your skills, talents, and extra curricular activities are pluses that you'll want to describe during your soliloquy. How will you assist their organization? What have you done in the past that qualifies you for the job? What new ideas do you bring to the company? What special achievements or awards in your past should they know about? Remember, it's up to you to share this information with them. Don't make them dig for it.

Plan your delivery carefully, add to it as you acquire additional skills and experience, and remember that your success depends on being your own best salesperson.

The Informational Interview

The key to networking is to express your interest and desire in a person or firm without being obnoxious or patronizing. One approach is to seek an informational interview, in which your goal is to speak with an individual who can help you without actually asking him or her to do anything specific for you.

In essence, you are picking the brain of your subject and, at the same time, impressing him or her with your serious interest and determination. Hopefully, your actions will convince him to take a chance and hire you, should an opening become available. What you don't say, is "hire me." Instead, you solicit ideas and opinions and then put that information to work, demonstrating by your actions that you're worthy of the help you're not asking for.

A Current Resume: Your Best Sales Tool

Resumes--I think we've all had a love-hate relationship with them. On the one hand, they are tough to assemble and keep current. On the other, a resume is your sales pitch for a very important product: you. It's important that it be concise, accurate, and intriguing. You want to pique the reader's interest so he or she will look closer and call you to come in for an interview.

More resume tips can be found in my book, Flight Guide For Success!

Interview Attitudes

Ideally, an upcoming interview should be your last, concluding with the job offer of your dreams (or if this isn't your dream job, at least the one you want for the foreseeable future). So you're going to act like it's the one place you want to be. Why? Because attitude is probably the biggest plus or obstacle to getting hired anywhere.

Balancing Family and Career

Many people question whether family and career can coexist in a world that seems to have no apparent regard for scheduling or lifestyle. However, the truth of the matter is, family and career are not mutually exclusive. The trick lies in having the passion, determination, perseverance, and willingness to make the system work for you while not expecting undue favors from your employer.

Experience Versus Book Learning

Do not underestimate the power of trial and error. Experience can be an invaluable resource in the working world. "Speed Study" and rote memorization narrow your frame of reference and may not provide the same opportunities for learning. If I had to assess the value of my book learning versus the "been there, done that" system, I'd certainly pick the latter as offering much more substance and inspiring greater confidence. Don't be afraid to get your feet wet. These may be your greatest chances for success.

Be Aware of Opportunities

Often a great job can result from being in the right place at the right time, so keep your eyes and mind open to these opportunities. You can also help yourself a great deal by creating opportunities for yourself through networking. People will be impressed by your opportunistic and ambitious attitude, which will build your credibility and can lead to job offers from friends and acquaintances.
Look at every situation as an opportunity for you to gain something. Evaluate how you can help the people involved, and how they can help you. If anything, build trust in these relationships to secure loyalty, and they will at the least have positive things to say on your behalf.

More career guidance can be found in my book, Flight Guide For Success, which can be purchased online at amazon.com.