21st Jul2009

The Need to SELL YOURSELF in an interview

by Berleena

This seems to be the area which lets candidates down the most during interviews.  The interviewer feedback is often “they just didn’t sell themselves well enough.”

Its a fair point, but what are interviewers looking for?  How are you supposed to “sell yourself?”

Here are some pointers from ProGrad to assist you prior to interviews:

1) Firstly, remember to PREPARE.  Preparation is essential prior to any interview.  Try to generate an understanding of what the company does, but more importantly, how do they add value?  Put it in your own words, don’t just copy what is written on a website.  Aim to understand it.  If in doubt, call the company and ASK.

2) Prepare your answers to the typical interview questions…but always be thinking…how will my traits add value to this employer.  Its fine to say “I’m a confident person”, but why is that relevant to the interviewer?  What does it mean for them?  “I’m a confident person.  An example of this is when I was at university, I had to lead a group project to completion and present our findings to over 300 people.  What this means to you, is that I can bring my confidence to the role and ensure I have no fear of speaking to prospective clients.”

3) Think of an interview as a sales meeting.  Only this time, the product is yourself…always think of structuring your answers like this:  Feature, Advantage and Benefit to the company.

4) Prepare QUESTIONS to ask.  If you don’t ask questions, you’ll come across as being disinterested and an ineffective communicator.  Prepare at least 15-20 questions to ask the interviewer.  You might not use them all, but definitely ask.

5) CLOSE the meeting (or in this case, the interview).  Ask what the next steps are!  Is there a second interview?  If so, when is it? 

Please stop thinking about interviews as being a one way street.  Candidates MUST sell themselves effectively in order to be successful in interviews.

ProGrad is a graduate assessment, placement and training company with an emphasis on working within the business to business sales teams of organisations.  To be considered for our roles, please contact the ProGrad graduate recruitment team on 02 8235 8300.

Davinia

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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21st Jul2009

ProGrad prepare for more assessment days

by Berleena

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the global economy, ProGrad are still going strong and focusing our energies on finding new graduate career opporutnities.

Whilst some may think that we have the luxury of companies calling ProGrad and asking for candidates, I must assure you all that it is not the case.  We have a team of Business Developers at ProGrad who have mostly been recruited using our own process.  They are responsible for contacting organisations through cold calling, and proactive selling the ProGrad model.  In many cases, we are persuading companies to use this model, despite their own preconceptions about Graduates and the negatives surrounding “GenY” hires.

With the drop in opportunities available, there was only one thing we could do.  Ramp up the activity and speak to even more people than before.  We embarked on a huge new business campaign and saw immediate results. 

Naturally, more graduate opportunities now means we require more assessment days.  We’re running assessment days nearly each week in Sydney or Melbourne and are seeing strong numbers present at each day.

The calibre is strong.  Candidates these days are more competitive and more driven to seek out potential employment.  If you are interested in being selected for a ProGrad position, please be prepared for a competitive assessment day.  Using our competency based framework, we’re looking for candidates that dispay a natural sales aptitude along with drive and determination for success.

We’re working across all industry verticals to assist candidates to find roles.  Our current vacancies exist primarily within the technology arena, FMCG, Media and Telecommunications industries.

If you’d like to be considered for any of our roles, please contact one of the ProGrad team on 02 8235 8300.

Davinia

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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16th Jul2009

3 Ways to Lose a Sale…by ProGrad

by Berleena

ProGrad are a graduate assessment, placement and training company.  We specialise in the assessment and placement of recent University graduates into the business to business sales teams of companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Channel 7, Johnson & Johnson and Reckitt Benckiser.

Here are three ways that can lose a sale for companies:

1. Talking at the prospective customer: 
    - Don’t just talk at your prospect!  Ask them some questions in order to gain an understanding of what they need!

2. Asking questions but not listening to their answers:
    - Spend time listening to your customers.  Try to really understand their needs and try to put yourself in their shoes. 

3. Probing for more information:
    - Don’t keep probing, particularly if you feel that your prospect is starting to close up and provide short answers.  Respect it, and move on.

ProGrad specialises in placing recent university graduates into business to business sales roles. For more information on our services, please call our Sydney office on 02 8235 8300 or visit our website at www.prograd.com.au

Category : ProGrad Melbourne
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18th Jun2009

Should Photos Be Put On A Resume?

by Berleena

Unless you applying for a role that faces the public, such as an actor or model; I would personally recommend NOT to put your photo on your resume. First impressions count, and often adding a photo to your resume can do more hurt than harm.

Often a photo can act as a distraction to the important sections of your resume. As soon as someone opens your resume, the photo is the first thing they see, and they could often block the viewer from reviewing the rest of your application.

On the other hand, during the current economic climate, recruitment agencies and organizations are receiving a massive influx of applications for each job opportunity available. The advantage of adding a photo to your application is that it may stand out, and grab the attention of the viewer.

At the end of the day, the whole purpose of sending through a resume is to impress the viewer and attempt to secure an interview – attaching a photo could either hinder or help this occur!

 

Sophie

 

ProGrad is an assessment, placement and training organisation designed to assist recent university graduates in kick starting their corporate sales careers. A 12-24month training program has been developed to assist in the growth and progression of these graduates to ensure they are successful in achieveing both personal and organisational goals.

For more information on ProGrad products and services, please call our Sydney office on 02 8235 8300 or visit our webpage at www.prograd.com.au.

 

 

 

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