Your vision can come across as more credible if you share with employer stories about things you've done in past which illustrate your competency in terms of being able to do what you envision for them. This conversation should be a back and forth discussion, and more employer talks about how they see you fitting in to their plans, better. The clearer picture they have of you coming in to their building every day to do job they're considering hiring you for, better.

OFFERING A CHALLENGE

Presenting an opportunity will take employer a long way in direction of making a decision in your favor. However, a challenge is needed in order for employer to feel like they need to make a decision imminently. The challenge doesn't have to come from you: it can come from an outside source. For example, if you've offered a compelling opportunity and their boss told them a decision has to be made today, they may feel challenged to make a decision for that reason.

If you've ever seen movie "Glenn Gary, Glenn Ross" with Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Spacey, you may remember line "ABC: Always Be Closing." Offering a challenge is closely related with idea of closing. However, no one wants to feel like they're being "closed." No one wants to feel like they're being manipulated. But if person feels like they have to make a decision, it can be beneficial to you (assuming opportunity you presented is compelling). If you came across as very impressive in interview and discussion of opportunities, employer may already feel challenged to make a decision because they don't want another company to take you first. You can subtly offer a challenge yourself by mentioning you have received another offer which you haven't decided on yet (if that's true). Remember, you don't want employer to perceive challenge as artificial. If they do see it that way, they'll feel like you're trying to "sell" them.

SUMMING UP

In summary, effective selling in job search situations is about inspiring employer to see you as being highly valuable and getting them to feel a sense of challenge when it comes to being able to hire you. Some ineffective selling techniques, such as calling after an interview to just "inquire" about your application status, can be counterproductive and can make you come across as less valuable. When it comes to interviewing, it's more important to get it right first time and make a good impression on first try.

If you know people who work in a similar company (or same company) in same location, talk to them about how people dress for work. Especially if you are moving from another part of country. For example, lawyers in California often dress a bit more casually and wear less conservative ties than lawyers in New York.

Be sure to follow rules of etiquette when on interview itself. Give interviewer a chance to offer you a seat. If you're wearing a suit jacket, don't take it off in interview. Remember, an interview is partly a formality. Especially if interviewer is a human resources person or other staff member who is not very familiar with your field, you may be judged much more on your appearance and how well you conform to "picture" of what a good interviewee should be like than on content of what you say in interview.

A great movie about creating right appearance is recent Steven Spielberg film, "Catch Me If You Can," which starred Leonardo Di Caprio. In movie, which is based on a true story, Di Caprio plays a con artist and counterfeiter named Frank Abignale, Jr. Frank is able to work as an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer all because he is able to come across like he fits in. Even though he was only 16, he knew enough to do his research ahead of time and create right appearance. One of great lines in movie is when Frank says to detective trying to catch him, "Why do you think Yankees always win? Is it because of Mickey Mantle? No, it's because everyone's busy watching pinstripes."