By Angela Charlton, Ph.D.
Manager of Player Engagement
"Confidence can get you where you want to go, and getting there is a daily process. It’s so much easier when you feel good about yourself, your abilities and talents."
- Donald Trump
When searching for an internship or employment position, it is important to sell yourself as well as your ideas. How do you accomplish this? First and foremost you have to believe in yourself in order for others to believe in you. Once you’ve accomplished this, then you have the ability to influence others to believe in you. This begins with being self-aware and knowing your goals and values. When trying to persuade others to buy into you and your ideas, there is a strategy involved, In The Art of Woo by Shell & Moussa (2007), “Woo” is defined as “Winning Others Over.” Shell & Moussa state that you can master achieving your goals and influencing others through a four-step process:
- Survey your situation
- Confront the five barriers
- Make your pitch
- Secure your commitments
The initial steps of this process consist of clarifying your goals, ideas, and challenges and determining what is distinctive about your ideas. Next, it is important to identify how to deal with and confront those challenges before they arise. Now you are ready to present your ideas and put your plans into action!