On Thursday, I shared the first half of an interview I recently did with Anthony Sullivan, pitchman extraordinaire. Need a reminder of just who he is?
Why did I interview the OxiClean pitchman? Because when you’re interviewing you are your own pitchman. When you’re linking your skills and experience to the needs of the employer, you’re essentially telling your story, which is the essence of a good pitch, Sullivan said, “Don’t sell me, tell me,” he said.
Thursday, I shared Sullivan’s thoughts on building a good pitch. Today, I’m going wrap things up with his thoughts on preparation and attitude, two key features to being an expert pitchman and and an expert job seeker.
Sullivan said you need to practice your pitch till it becomes second nature. If it feels uncomfortable, chances are it’s not quite ready. Practice until you get it right. Your pitch should communicate that you know why you are at the interview, what your interests area and why you want a particular job. Practice helps overcome fear, particularly the kind that makes you freeze during interviews and leave without connecting to the employer.
Sullivan knows something about anxiety. He said he was almost paralyzed by anxiety the first time he appeared on a national home-shopping channel. He said he overcame his fear by falling back on the pitch he had practiced. He knew what he was going to say and used stories to connect with the viewers.
Anxiety happens to everyone, especially when you are doing something new such as talking about yourself. The key is practicing until you get your pitch right and it is second nature.
Sullivan said dressing the part is an important aspect of your pitch. The way you carry yourself sends an important perception. Match your attire to the position, and you should never underestimate the importance of clean, neatly pressed clothing, he said.
Sullivan’s final recommendation is about attitude. “Never, never, never give up,” he said. Always put the past in its place and move forward. Each morning, give yourself a pep talk and practice seeing the outcome of your efforts in your head.
Learn how to be unstoppable with a positive attitude.
