There are a lot of resources out there that will help you prep for an interview, a lot of tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts. These will look familiar:
- -Be confident, cool, and collected.
- -Be conscientious of your body language.
- -Research. Know the company, the role and yourself!
Which brings me to B.Y.O.B. A party is not a party without the booze. And a successful interview does not exist without, you guessed it- Your Brand! You. Who are you, really? What sets you apart from every other mind-numbing, boring resume in the stack that the recruiter will or won’t be interviewing? Exude your personality because at the end of the day, that interviewer will remember the few that stand out…the one that set themselves apart by turning a Q&A session into a real engaging conversation. So what does it even mean to brand yourself? In a forbes.com article, “Entrepreneurs Need to Brand Themselves First” forbes.com contributor Martin Zwilling put it out there pretty clearly:
“So what does it mean to “brand yourself?” Branding yourself means making yourself visible, and communicating via all avenues your personal value and what your stand for, with total clarity and consistency. It’s especially important to highlight your uniqueness in some easy to remember way, so people will think of you and what you do, in case they need your product or service.”
Once you’ve got your brand down, you won’t have to “sell” yourself. Or try to remember all the tips and tricks, they will shine as part of your brand.
“It’s sort of ironic. You have to sell yourself during an interview, however the moment the interviewer feels you are “selling” yourself, you’re going to appear as over-eager and desperate. It’s only when you begin to see interviewing as less of a question and answer session and more of a collaborative conversation, you naturally instill confidence in the employer.”
-Ken Sundheim “How to Sell Yourself On An Interview” Your brand will do the talking. No matter what the situation, B.Y.O.B. will serve you well in accomplishing both personal and business goals. The stage is set. Be the life of your own party and don’t forget to Bring Your Own Brand.