Resumes Aren't the only Way to Impress an Employer

It’s easy to make yourself sound great in a cover letter or resume. Now it’s up to you to sell yourself to a potential employer.

Think of it this way.

You’re at your favorite store trying on a new blouse for your upcoming interview. The sales person brings you a coordinating blazer. She says the colors match perfectly and the fit is flawless. You fall for it hook, line, and sinker; spending $50 over your budget.

It’s time for you to become the sales person. Sell the employer the blouse with matching blazer, but instead, the blazer is you.

Use your resume are a guide book. An employer liked your qualifications enough to interview you. Sell him. You already listed your main skills and previous job positions, now it’s time to elaborate. Use every bullet point as a crutch to illustrate your professionalism and work ethic. “As stated on my resume, I…” The ability to give more detail is an important selling point.

Real life examples are great selling tools, as well! Employers will ask about certain job scenarios, such as, “Do you handle criticism well?” A simple “yes” or “no” will not suffice. He is expecting to hear a previous situation, how you dealt with it, and changed for the better.

Along with job scenarios, employers ask several other open ended questions. These types of questions can be tricky, since your answers could go any direction.

Think like the interviewer!

Before answering, remember, the best answer is one that makes you look professional. If an employer wants you to tell him about your previous summer job, he wants to know your major responsibilities and what you learned. Give full, meaningful answers. Hearing how you sat around a pool all summer isn’t something he cares to hear or discuss further.

Another trick is turning negatives into positives. “What are your weaknesses?” It is important to make be truthful when answering this question, but demonstrating how weakness sparked change. For example, if procrastination is your weakness it’s appropriate to mention, but you can go on to say how you perform well under a dead line or under pressure.

Use these tips and you’re sure to secure a job offer!

By Stephanie Colangelo, Flexhire Associate