My Introduction & The Art of Selling Yourself

I picked up this book while at Barnes & Nobles in the northern part of Milwaukee at Mayfair Mall which is perhaps none but 10 minutes from my house. I always wanted to go to BN with my girlfriend since it was but one of my favorite places that I like to waste my day in. So today was that day (Well it is actually yesterday since I'm posting it up a day late). After her church festival was over around 2PM she came over and we went in my car since at this time of the year it is literally burning hot outside with a temperature of 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit and my car was the only one with AC. After updating my Myspace I came up with this crazy idea of blogging or making a YouTube account affiliating with books that I read or skim over when I come to BN. My girlfriend thought it was rather a fantastic idea.

Within the first page of this book after all the table of contents, introduction, and etc., it literally made me say "wow, how come I never thought of life in this way." As a child we were little salesboy and salesgirl ourselves. You're probably like "how can that be?" Simple. As a child after finishing up groceries shopping at Wal-Mart or Pick N' Save, mom is setting the food on the little escalator so that the cashier can scan the price tag you grab the candies that Research & Development groups have purposely placed by the check out lines so that you, the child, can make the last sales transaction. What does that have to do with being a salesperson when you're buying the candy? Well, you had to obviously convince your mom into buying the candy for you. Same goes for young adults who had to persuade colleges and universities into accepting one after high school graduation. Adults have to try to sell themselves to employers why they should get the job.

The heart of every transaction is YOU. So you must first understand yourself to do anything effectively, especially if you want it to be to your advantage. Here are some questions you should ask yourselves:

Who Are You?
I'm a Student at MSOE Raider School of Business. I'm in my second year here with a major in Business in general. I'm active in the MSOE Business Leader's Association. We often have conferences and attend competitions with Future Business Leader's of American and Phi Beta Lambda. Education is my passion and I strive to learn as much as I can. Playing soccer allows me to let out my stress and frustration yet demonstrate my talent and love for the game. I was born in Fresno, California but grew up in a small town, Statesville, North Carolina until the age of 16. From there I moved to Milwaukee and here I am still. I've met so many wonderful people here. Is there such thing as "destiny" and "fate," some people would ask. Of course, there is. I've met passionate teachers who has helped me get on the right track, reunited with close relatives (although we're slowly growing apart), and best of all I know how it feels to love and be loved. Okay, enough with my gibberish let's get back on track.

Point is, you know yourself best. If you don't know yourself, who does? No one.

What Do You Do and What Makes You Different?
I don't do anything. I tell people what to do. That's what makes me different, I'm a leader not a follower. You have to know what you do and what sets you apart from everyone else. If you're one of those people or companies who does a little bit of everything, that's nice. However, employers and potential business partners will ask you what you specialize in.

Are you enviable?
Simple as that, do people envy you? If not, why not? In the real world, you're fighting for every little resource out there. From capital, wages, to consumer goods. You should not strive to be the best of the best but bring out the best from within yourself.

After answering these three questions you should be able to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You will realize what improvements you need to make and what you are capable of. Last but not least you will be in control of whatever situation that should arise.