Ricardo Barriga

Recently, I read a fantastic sales book, ‘To Sell is Human’ by Daniel Pink. I came across a fascinating idea that I thought would be useful for anyone seeking new employment. Especially when changing industries, and taking on a role that would be completely out of their comfort zone.

We often look at new opportunities with both excitement and doubt; the excitement of what a new job entails and the doubt we manufacture in our heads. Doubting our abilities and whether or not we have the necessary skills to do the role. This response is normal and to be expected. Let’s face it, if we do not have both of these emotions when applying for a job, then it is possible that you may not have been interested enough in the role, to begin with (so don’t waste your time).

So we start to look at our transferable skills, work history, and current level of education and try to match those skills with what the potential employer is searching for. However, as this is an activity of both self-reflection and the ability to sell oneself, we might find it hard to put ourselves out of the scenario and get a clear picture of what this situation really looks like.

In ‘To Sell is Human,’ Daniel talks about writing your own rejection letter before attending a sales meeting, to reflect on a situation before it occurs. This, I believe, can be applied to your job search. When selecting a role that you wish to apply for, or prior to going to an interview, it might be a good idea to write your very own rejection letter. The intent of this letter is not to prepare yourself for failure, but rather to help you analyse your current application and find a solution to what others may see as your weaknesses.

Working through rejections is not a negative concept. You’re not trying to deceive your potential employer. Instead, you are pointing out your transferable skills and your ability to adapt to various scenarios. You may also write in your letter excuses such as company culture, being overqualified, etc. These scenarios, if planned correctly, will be able to be addressed appropriately. More importantly, however, if you believe that to be the case, then more research on the company and its current employees is vital, as you really only want to apply to businesses that align with your values, and that will provide you with the best possibility for growth.

Taking the time to look closely at ourselves to understand our weaknesses and capacity to sell our strengths, will separate you from others during the interview process.