Like it or not we are all in sales…

As bestselling author Dan Pink writes in his bestseller “To Sell is Human”, we all have to do it in one form or other every single day.

“Whatever you’re line of work is, your success will depend on how well you can “move people” (i.e. get them to part with their resources in exchange for some value you can provide to them”

The good news is whatever you are selling, be it your abilities to a hiring manager or a product to a potential customer, the principles are very much the same.

Here are some of the things you should be thinking about…

Don’t fall victim to the idea that selling means convincing – Find out what is in the best interest of the other person first and only then propose your best solution to their problem.

Listen to understand not to respond – Ever found yourself formulating a response to a statement without actually listening to what is being said? Pause, think about it and only then reply, you’ll be more effective.

Buoyancy is important too – If you get rejected for a role or by a potential customer staying buoyant is important. However questioning your abilities is often more effective than affirming them, being positive (but not too positive) can improve your performance and understanding why you failed can help you better prepare for the the next encounter.

There is a lot to think about in these concepts so we have also rounded up some great advice on how to sell yourself (and products) better.

Why we’re all in sales– Harvard Business Review

How to sell yourself and get the job– Forbes

The art of convincing is dead– Inc.com

The Science of Buoyancy– Dan Pink

Listen to understand not to respond– Lifehack.org

Click here to read the rest of Surprising truths about getting a job and selling to others which appeared first on Career Counsel.