Selling your skills
Interviews are the best time to sell your skills and your accomplishments rather than simply stating what you have done. This will create a stronger, more positive impression on the interviewer.
Turn Each Negative Point into a Positive
If an interviewer asks you about your knowledge and experience about a skill that you are not familiar with, be upfront and honest. Rather than telling untruthful stories about your experience, simply say that you are not familiar with the skill but you are willing and eager to learn more about it. This will position you favorably in the eyes of your interviewer.
Big to Little
When asked about your knowledge and experience about acquisitions and mergers, use this strategy for organizing your thoughts and to respond seamlessly. This will make it easier for the interviewer to understand your experience. Begin with the biggest points and then follow up with some of the smaller details. You may also talk about your experience and involvement with acquisitions or transactions integration, negotiations and due diligence.
Remember: You already passed the big first test
Sitting in a conference room with VPs, CFO and the president of the company can be a very nerve-wrecking experience. Just take a deep breath and relax. You have already passed the big first test, usually in the form of phone screening or some other basic screening test. You should also remember that the top executives of the company would not have called you for an interview if they were not interested. Be confident.
Take the Initiative
When you are close to the closing of the interview you would want to share specific experience about the area you excel in. However, the interviewer may never bring it up. It would be your responsibility to take the first step and bring up the topic in the conversation. This will ensure that you have put across valuable information.
Interviewing can be a difficult and stressful situation but when your career is on the line you would want to do your best. Enter every interview knowing what you want to put across to the interviewer. Take control of the interview quietly and position yourself wisely to be successful.
