Saturday 17 October 2009

Sell Sell Sell

Woo hoo - had a meeting with my boss the other day and everyone is pleased with my work and have offered me a 6 month contract. I said yes as the job is nice and it's nice to have a bit more security.

Not sure precisely the role that I was looking for but it makes use of my built environment industry knowledge and is working for a charity so that's all good.

Was funny that the offer came out of the blue as I had just had a 2nd interview for a job that I went for when I just got back in July. It was a business development job for a real estate company - I had to give a presentation about the how I've successfully helped deliver bids and how I added value. I did my usual in depth preparation -2 days before had a quick think about the structure. Chatted it through with my fella then wrote it the next day. For a change I didn't practice and just talked it through.

The 2nd interview was good. I felt very relaxed - I guess as that was interview number 8 I was getting more confident about talking about myself. I answered their questions and asked insightful questions about their business and how things are going in the current climate. I nodded in the right place, ooh and how I laughed in just the right places.

Anyway, a week later I found out that I didn't get the job. Basically I was neck and neck with another candidate and if there were 2 jobs I would have been taken on. Not sure if that is a positive things or feels a bit like salt being rubbed into the wounds. In the end the decision boiled down to me being quite relaxed and not selling myself as much as I could. I have had this criticism before so it came as no surprise. I work hard and am very conscientious but I guess I don't always acknowledge that being one of those people who goes over and above to get things done is a big deal.

So from here on in I will sell myself more (not in rude way obviously :)).

Sell Sell Sell
Sell Sell Sell
I will realise what my unique qualities are and be a bit more forthcoming. Being a shy retiring type won't help in the quest for a perm job although I can't see myself selling my soul to the devil and becoming a pushy career focussed bitch somehow. I like to giggle, have fun and be silly or else it all will just seem too much like hard work.