The Watercooler

Pitch Yourself Perfectly: Yes, It’s Possible!

What comes to mind when you think about interviewing for a new job? Cold sweat? A pounding heart? Drawing a blank?

It doesn’t have to be that way. With a little preparation, you can remain calm and collected in a high-pressure job interview.

You’ll be comfortable and confident. Your actions of ‘doing’ will teach you. What do we mean?

Here are seven tips to help you perfect your pitch—and land your dream job.

Research the role.
Take the time to visit the company website and explore its social media channels. Read the job description several times so you can discuss the position and its responsibilities with authority during your interview. Think about how your skills and experience will help you succeed in the role and benefit the company. If you know exactly what your potential employer needs, you can position yourself as the solution to their problem.

Identify your needs.
Companies need people who have goals that align with the organization’s mission and values. Take a few minutes to think about your interests and why you’re applying for that specific job.

Create an elevator pitch.
Concisely explaining your goals and achievements is essential to making a great impression in a job interview. The last thing you want to do is draw a blank when asked, “Tell me about yourself.” Take the time to think about:

  • What sparked your interest in the job.
  • How your abilities or experience will be valuable in the role.
  • Why you want to work for the employer.

Your goal is to highlight information that proves you are an excellent fit for the role at the company. Once you’ve nailed down the details, consider writing out your pitch to help you remember them.

Practice your delivery.
Use your notes to perfect your pitch in front of a mirror or a video camera. You’ll likely notice areas that need improvement or ways you can appear more relaxed or personable. Practicing will make you more comfortable with the material, leading to more confidence during your interview.

Highlight your soft skills.
Not sure you have the experience necessary for the role? Don’t sell yourself short. Soft skills are non-technical skills, personal qualities, and abilities that relate to how you work. Soft skills include abilities such as:

  • Time management
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • And more

Connecting the dots between your work style and the job duties can help you feel more qualified—and demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand how to succeed in the role.

Listen.
If you’re so focused on responding to questions that you fail to listen to them, you may miss the point of an important question. Try to stay in the moment and think on your feet. Use the time you’re listening to take a few deep breaths, smile, and make eye contact with your interviewer. It will relax you and make you appear more confident.

Show gratitude.
End your interview on a positive note by saying thank you. You want to leave a great impression on your interviewer, so they’ll keep you at the top of their list. Be sure to send a thank you email to keep yourself top-of-mind—and cap off your pitch-perfect interview.

Looking to land a great new job?

Our recruiters are happy to help you polish your resume, perfect your interviewing skills, and support your job search. Contact your local PrideStaff office today!