The RLS Method

Going on an interview?  The RLS Method is a great tool to have in your toolbox!  This is something that I created for use when teaching Career Development courses to all ages!  For more in-depth information please email me at: Lisa@LCRay214.com

Research

·       Use Social Media to help you do your homework.  (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)

·       Does the company have a website?  If they do, read over and get to know the company.

·       Do you know what the position that you are applying for entails?

o   Can you easily learn those duties if you are not familiar with them?

o   Are you qualified through school, training or previous work experience?

o   Can you get further education/experience to qualify you for this position?

Language

How you present yourself is everything not just in the interview, but when you first walk in as well as when you’re leaving.  REMEMBER:  How you come across over the phone counts too!

·       What type of language are you using? While we all speak “differently” when in various situations, you never want to go into an interview and talk to the interviewer the same way you would with your personal friends.

o   Cussing, loud, and obnoxious tones is definitely an no-no

o   Sharing your personal business or problems is never a good idea.

·       

      Do you know the language of the profession/business you are trying to get into?

o   Are there technical terms that you should be familiar with?

·       

     Your body language (non-verbal communication) is just as important as what you say.  It is the visual trademark impression that you leave with a possible employer.

o   Are you neat and clean

o   Did you take the time to visually prepare for the interview?

Sell:

The overall goal here is to show the interviewer who you are as well as what type of employee would will be for the company.  Two main points are:  Selling yourself in a personal sense, as well as selling you – the business person.

·                           Personally:

o   Who are you as an individual?

o   Are you positive in nature or are you negative?

o   Do you speak negatively about previous employers, or do you focus on what was “right” with the company and your co-workers.

o   Will you bring your home life (issues) to the workplace?

·                       Professionally:         

o   What skills do you bring to the table that will enhance this company’s bottom line?

o What have you done (work-wise) in the industry that will contribute to what you will do for this company?

These are some brief things that you can incorporate into you career development training. 

For more information - email me at:  Lisa@lcray214.com

Selling You. It's Not As Hard As You Think.

What’s the common link between McDonald's, Wendy’s, Staples, you and me?  We are all products!

We all know what those other places are, and we are clear on what they sell.  But what about you as the product?  How would you sell you to others?  

Many of us have been in a sales position at one time or another, selling clothing, shoes, toys or even food.  We've all had the chance to sell something.  But when was the last time you thought of you as the actual product?  

To sell anything, would you agree that you need to know the product?  It would be pretty hard to sell something you knew nothing or very little about, wouldn't it?  My next question is how well do you know yourself? What you excel in and more importantly what you have to offer another company.

When in an interview, when asked tell me about yourself, most people come up with, “I'm hard working, honest, reliable and dependable.”  But let’s face it. If you were all of those things, a company would pay you not to leave.  Let’s break it down and get real in your preparation of selling you.

Three steps to get you started

1. Be prepared!  Once you put together your pitch or commercial rehearse it!  It should be about 15 seconds and should accurately state what skills and talents you bring to the table.  Your goal is to grab the interviewer's attention so that they want to hear more about you and what you can do. Rehearse it so that the words flow from your lips and are engaging and appealing to the person you are talking to.

2. Know your skills, accomplishments and talents. Don’t over exaggerate what you can do or have done in past jobs.  Be honest and look the interviewer in the eye.

3. Remember when you’re speaking, slow down.  This commercial is to sell you  - and to do this effectively, you need to speak slowly so you will be understood, speak clearly so you can be heard, and be confident in your ability to project you accurately.

The funny thing about personal commercials, is that you can have multiple ones for various occasions.  You can have one for interviews and another if you’re trying to meet someone to build a relationship and even one when you’re meeting your kids teachers.

Your commercial and its contents may change, but the product is the same.  It’s YOU!

Knowing how to package your product and sell it, can make all the difference in the world.