When life provides you with an opportunity it’s important that we go for it. It might be that your asking a publisher to publish your novel, an employer to take you on or a college to give you a place on their enrolment.

Whatever you are being interviewed for, you are ultimately asking the interviewer for something. To take a risk on you. The questions they will be asking are to make sure that their risk, their gamble, their chance is the right one. Follow these top tips to ensure that you can sell yourself as the best person for the opportunity…

1. Express Your Ideas Clearly & Confidently

Mumbling or using poor grammar in an interview won’t make your interviewer feel sold on what you have to say or offer. Even if you’re feeling quite nervous, try to keep your words loud, crisp, sunny and to the point. It’s also a good idea to plan what your going to say. Don’t rehearse a script word for word, but remember key points that you’ll want to mention so that you don’t go off topic.

2. Be Keen & Enthusiastic But Avoid Being Aggressive

Employers, publishers, etc know that the more keen person of the pack is going to do the better job, so ensure that you are positive, approachable and enthusiastic. But avoid being overly friendly or disrespectful too. It’s important that you recognise that you are asking something from the person you are talking too.

3. Be Open & Honest About Yourself

Especially when it comes to explaining your current position or why you feel it’s time to change. Ensure that you never lie or exaggerate things you have done. The truth is that, if you get hired and fall flat in this way, then any weaknesses you have will be more transparent.

4. Be Positive In Your Body Language & Words

Using positive proactive words and phrases that address the context will make them feel good about investing in what you have to offer. So it’s important that you show that your eager. Sit up straight, smile, keep your posture open and keep eye contact at all times with the person speaking.

5. Beware When Using Humour

You are not Jimmy Carr. Unless your applying for a role on Russell Howard’s good news remember that humour can go two ways. Brilliantly or awful. So it’s not worth the risk. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that though. But if the person you are trying to sell yourself to makes a joke, then just grit your teeth and laugh.

6. Show That Your Listening

Showing that your listening is one of the most important aspects of communicating in an interview. The more respect you show the person talking, the more respect and attention they will factor into what you have to say.

Further Reading: 6 Top Tips For… Being a Good Listener

7. Be Willing To Try & Learn

It’s important that you make it clear that you are willing to start at the bottom of the ladder and work your way up, that the experience means more to you than just a pay check. So it’s great to ask questions. To sound curious and excited by the change.

8. Dress for Success

If you want to prove that you can put the effort and the time into your project or work then show it. Look the part. Let the way you are judged when you walk into the room reflect the person you are and what you hope to achieve.

Remember that if you make the effort to sell yourself well, then the employer will make the effort to give you that shot you need to take the next step. Good luck!

Wrote by Aimee Hall