Cant get past the first interview?

Are you demonstrating the levels of commitment, drive, tenacity, skills and organization employers want?

Here are 6 tried and true ways to separate you from other candidates and be the candidate everyone wants to hire:

1. Preparation = SWOT Analysis:

SWOT is a strategic planning tool. It stands for Strengths (attributes helpful to achieving the objective), Weaknesses (attributes harmful to achieving the objective), Opportunities (external conditions that will be helpful to achieving the objective), and Threats (external obstacles or conditions that will harm the process). Look at the pictureit helps. Doing a SWOT analysis on the company demonstrates your drive, commitment, and skills, along with helping you create a better 30/60/90-day plan.

2. 30/60/90-Day Plan :

A 30-60-90-day plan is a short, 1-3 page outline for what you will do when you start the job. Essentially, you spell out for your future employer, in as little or as much detail as necessary, how you will spend your timein training, learning company systems, introducing yourself to customers, and your initial plan to build sales. It demonstrates exactly how youll be an asset. A 30/60/90-day plan is an almost-guaranteed way to impress any hiring manager or hiring team.

If you absolutely cant get an interview, you could try e-mailing your 30/60/90-day plan to the sales manager. Its an attention-getter, and it could be the key to get you in the door.

3. Video or Audio Communication :

Send the interviewer an audio of video clip of yourself. Keep it short and sweet, and make sure youve checked lighting, background, and sound quality. One idea: Structure it like an elevator pitchwhat can you do for the company and why can you do it?

4. Brag Book :

A brag book is a folder/ binder that you can use during your interview process to clarify your skill sets. It can include letters of recommendation, attaboy notes (or any notes commenting on what a good job youve done), staff ranking, annual reviews (if you include some, include them all), rewards letters, your resume, types of equipment youve used or marketed, certifications or other educational courses, any financial or PowerPoint presentations, copies of articles youve written, brochures youve helped develop, and a college transcript (though ONLY if youre just getting out). Heres a link to a video that explains more.

5. References :

Its critical that you have winning references. Some people believe that references never get called, but they do. Make sure you've chosen good references, and know with stake-your-job-on-it certainty what they will say about you. You can (and should) even coach them beforehand, to help them tailor their answers to the job.

6. Follow-up/Thank You Notes :

Dont underestimate how important thank you letters are in the job interview process. Everybody knows theyre critical, but unbelievably, not everyone writes them. Thank you letters accomplish several things:

They get your name in front of the hiring manager one more time.
They are your last chance to package yourself as the best, most qualified person for the job.
They are polite, and manners count.
They can be an example of your ability to take in information (the interview) and process and provide feedback or new ideas about whatever the problem was. For example: I thought about your concerns about how to handle xyz delivery issues, when I was a product manager at ABC corporation, we used
(See what I mean?)
Handwritten thank-yous are nice, but e-mail thank yous are fast. Sometimes, hiring decisions are made quickly, so a timely note can be critical.

I know these things will help you become an outstanding candidate!

If you need more personalized help, please see my custom consulting page. If youre really having trouble, a fresh pair of expert eyes can point out issues or problems that are keeping you from getting the job you want.
Peggy McKee has been recruiting and placing top sales talent (in the medical industry) for over 10 years. Her firm, PHC Consulting, is one of the nations leading medical sales recruiting firms. Check out her blog and site to learn powerful tips that will set you apart in the job search! => http://www.phcconsulting.com