How to Sell Your Value in an Interview
How are you feeling about your upcoming job interview:
- Extremely confident?
- Ambivalent?
- A bit nervous?
- Paralyzed with fear?
No matter where on the confidence spectrum you fall, you need to convey your value in an interview properly. If you’re naturally confident, you must be careful not to cross the line and sound like you’re bragging. And if you’re new to the interview process or a natural introvert, you may need to become better at “tooting your own horn.”
How can you hit the right note when showcasing your value?
In this post, our national staffing and employment agency shares practical tips for highlighting your skills, explaining what you can contribute to a potential employer, and positioning yourself as a standout candidate – by mastering the art of the “humble brag”:
Start with the basics.
In “How to Brag without Bragging,” we explain the fundamentals of selling your value as a candidate:
- Prepare adequately. Know the job description and employer. Practice your “elevator pitch.” Have a few anecdotes prepared that highlight your successes.
- Pay attention to nonverbal cues – especially your handshake, smile, and posture.
- Remember that being too modest can cost you the job.
Get a second opinion.
While it’s essential to be honest, you still must present your experience in the best possible light to stand out. If you’re concerned that you may be selling yourself short – or pushing the honesty envelope a bit too far – get a few outside opinions on your elevator pitch and success stories before you head into your interview.
Use the past tense.
Your interviewer wants to know what you can do – not what you think you are good at. Get used to using the past tense to describe your skills and qualities. For example, which of these two statements is more compelling?
- “I am a great line supervisor.”
- “I have always performed best in situations that required strong supervisory capabilities.”
Use active verbs.
Practice using strong, clear, and compelling language to explain what you bring to the table. Instead of relying on overused buzzwords like “self-starter” and “team player” to describe yourself, use verbs that vividly illustrate your work experience, such as:
- Increased/decreased
- Achieved
- Created/built
- Managed
- Solved
- Promoted
- Negotiated
Bring others into your anecdotes.
Bragging is self-centered, but humble bragging deftly acknowledges the role others have played in your success. Tweak your success stories by:
- Replacing some of your “I” statements with “we” statements to describe how you collaborated with others to achieve shared goals.
- Adding phrases like “I’d also like to credit…” to your examples to show that you appreciate the contributions of others.
Wait for the right moment.
Your anecdotes will be best received if you share them at the right time, so don’t feel compelled to impose them on your interviewer as soon as the discussion starts. Be present in the moment. Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions, looking for cues like, “Tell me why you’re the ideal candidate for this job,” or “Share a story about a problem you’ve solved,” to tell one of your success stories.
Looking for more job interview tips?
First, read this post on avoiding the pre-interview waiting room jitters.
Then, apply with PrideStaff. With offices across the nation, we have great jobs (remote and on-site) in:
- Accounting / Finance
- Administrative / Clerical / HR
- Customer Service / Call Center
- Healthcare / Medical
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Legal
- Management
- Manufacturing
- Sales / Marketing
- Skilled Trades
- Warehouse / Distribution / Logistics
Once you apply, you’ll interview with one of our expert recruiters in a low-pressure environment where you can practice your humble bragging.
Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to get started or search local job opportunities here.
