How to Sell Yourself in an Interview | 6 Best Strategies

An interview is essentially a sales pitch where you're selling yourself to the interviewer. Knowing how to sell yourself in an interview is a crucial skill that can propel your career forward.

To turn your next interview into a job offer, it’s essential to master the art of self-presentation.

Here are some effective tips on how to sell yourself in an interview that will help you stand out from the competition and leave a lasting impression.

With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to successfully conveying your value and securing that dream job!

What is selling yourself in an interview?

Selling yourself in an interview means actively taking steps to convince the hiring manager to choose you for their open marketing role.

Imagine yourself as a salesperson, but what you're selling is yourself and your customer is the company you're interviewing for.

Take an active role in securing the position by using some of the tactics we're about to share.

How to sell yourself in an interview

When trying to sell yourself in an interview, everything matters from what you say to how you say it.

It involves going above and beyond standard interview preparation and will help you better perform in your next interview.

The best way to sell yourself in an interview is

1. Deserve confidence
2. Speak with enthusiasm
3. Tailor yourself to the role
4. Distinguish yourself from the competition
5. Choose an industry-appropriate outfit
6. Practice and prepare

Deserve confidence

It's not just what you say, it's how you say it.

Nerves are normal, but if you want the hiring manager to believe you're the best fit for the role, you have to believe it too.

That means you need to deliver your answers confidently. 

Would you believe a salesperson if they seemed like they doubted themselves? Probably now.

So to sell yourself in an interview effectively, you need to believe in yourself completely.

Speak with confidence in an interview and don't over-explain yourself when answering interview questions.

Keep your answers concise and embrace the silence. You shouldn't feel the need to fill silence with words.

Some of the best negotiating you'll ever do is when you're not talking!

Speak with enthusiasm

Use your enthusiasm and excitement to overcome your fear.

Excitement and fear are the exact same thing in your body.

The only difference is what your brain calls it.

Before your next interview, tell yourself that you're excited, not afraid, to use enthusiasm to overcome fear.

Speak with energy and that energy will become contagious.

Remember, interviews can easily get boring for hiring manager's so make yours memorable with positive, enthusiastic energy.

Tailor yourself to the role

In order to be successful when trying to sell yourself in an interview, you need to make the interview about THEM!

Think about the advertisements you see on trying to sell you on what they offer. 

You won’t see a GEICO ad saying, “We need to sell more insurance. Please buy more insurance”.

You therefore don't want to say, “I need a marketing job. Please hire me for a marketing position.

Instead, GEICO focuses on how you'll benefit: 15 minutes could save you 15% or more.

You should focus on how the company will benefit from hiring you to effectively sell yourself in an interview.

Do not give the same interview answers to the same companies.

Instead, study the job description to tailor your answers to the role.

You can’t sell yourself effectively in an interview without first understanding your audience and making your interview answers about what your audience (the company) needs.

For example, if a company asks you, "what is your greatest strength", list an attribute the company stated they wanted in the job description.

Don't just give a blanket answer to every company. Make it unique to the company's needs.

Distinguish yourself from the competition.

The most highly coveted marketing positions have hundreds of applicants and it's your job to find a way to stand out in the sea of applicants. 

Think about what makes you unique and highlight that throughout your interview.

All candidates can sometimes look similar, so to sell yourself in an interview you need to focus on what makes you unique to stand out as an applicant.

If you're not sure what makes you unique, ask your friends and family for help!

Ideas on how to differentiate yourself in an interview:

• Your background is in an area not related to the job, allowing you to bring a unique perspective
• You have a strong, personal connection to the brand or company
• Ask thoughtful questions that show you've done extensive research on the company
• Share a marketing campaign you came up with that you think would benefit the company
• Call out the elephant in the room. Whether it is your lack of experience, lack of required tech expertise or having been fired from your last job, don’t wait for the interviewer to mention it
• Share a portfolio showcasing examples of your previous marketing work experience

Choose an industry-appropriate outfit

Your outfit plays a crucial role in how to sell yourself in an interview. We’ve all heard the saying, "Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want." We suggest a slight twist: replace "job" with "company."

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what to wear in an interview, as it largely depends on the industry and specific company culture.

What’s appropriate for an interview at a fashion magazine may differ significantly from what’s suitable for a tech start-up or a retail position.

When in doubt, it’s always better to overdress. This approach shows the hiring manager that you take both yourself and the interview seriously.

Remember, interviewers often prefer candidates who reflect their own style, so doing a little research on LinkedIn to see what employees typically wear can be beneficial.

If you have a Zoom interview, don’t fall into the trap of wearing sweatpants! Choose something more professional.

Even if the interviewer can’t see below your waist, dressing appropriately will boost your confidence—trust us! Mastering how to sell yourself in an interview through your attire can make a significant difference in your overall presentation.

Practice and prepare

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become, and the better you’ll be able to sell yourself in an interview.

Start by writing down why you are the best candidate for the role, using language that aligns with the qualities the employer is seeking.

Next, identify 3-5 key stories or experiences that you want to highlight during your interview. These narratives will help you illustrate your strengths and suitability for the position.

Memorize these main points so you can incorporate them naturally into your conversation. This preparation will not only enhance your ability to sell yourself in an interview, but it will also leave a lasting impression on your potential employer.

Mastering how to sell yourself in an interview through practice and storytelling is essential for success!