Interviewing for a job is, in many ways, comparable to a sales person making a sale. If you’re a sales person and about to sell a product to a customer you would do your homework so that you could convince your customers that your product was the best product on the market to fill their needs.

If you think of this scenario and apply it to the job interview process you’ll find that it’s a powerful tool to use for your interview preparation. What do you have to offer (as a product) to the customer (the employer)? What do you have that will fill their needs (the requirements of the job)? What can you bring that is unique or added value to the position/company (that sets you apart from the pack)?

What You Have to Offer
Let’s begin with what you have to offer. Think of ways to present your key qualities throughout the interview. For example, let’s say that you’re interviewing for a position that requires strong organizational skills. You’ll want to let the interviewer know you are not only organized, but that your organizational skills have made a significant difference in your performance. If you can give an example of a particular event that you organized, and how your organizational skills made a difference in a past job you’ll make an even stronger sell. Anyone can say that they have strong organizational skills, but not everyone can give specific examples of a time when they had a success using those skills. Don’t tell them — sell them — with proof of a past experience or success.

What Does the Employer Need?
Next, begin to think about what the employer’s needs are and how your product can fill those needs. You can accomplish this by studying the job description or posting. First, read the posting or job description thoroughly. Then, read it a second time for specific words that are emphasized. There will be specific words used according to the job or industry that you apply for. Make a list of these words to use as key factors needed. Now, return to the job posting and read it once more. This time read between the lines. What would it take to do this job? If, for instance, the statement reads, “position will require frequent collaboration and interaction on all levels of staff and management,” you can gather that “strong interpersonal” and “communication” skills are needed to do this job. By making a list of “key requirements” you can match them against what you have to offer.

Make the Sale
The last factor to prepare for your sale is to let the employer know that you have the ability to fit in and be a team player. The interviewer will not only look to see if you can do the job, but they’ll also check to see if you’ll be a good addition to the team. Don’t dismiss your personal traits in your sales pitch preparation. Identify skills that make you unique such as interpersonal skills, attitude, and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.  These skills could make the difference between yourself and an equally qualified candidate getting the job offer.

When you take the time to prepare for the sale of the product (you) you’ll have a better chance of convincing the customer or buyer that you’re just what they need. By the time you leave the interview the interviewer should have a strong sense of what you have to offer and why they should hire you – why you are the best person for the job to fill their needs.