Help selling myself

[dnar]

OK, so have been selected as a suitable candidate for a position with a top tier global pro-audio manufacturer. I have to write a tailored profile targeting the position. I have never been good at selling myself, and often under sell my skills and capabilities. How does one promote him self without sounding like a Pratt?

Enough virtual paper in the trash can today to make a life size virtual paper mache Forrest.... The more I try the worse it reads... Maybe I should try the brutally honest model, "Temperamental perfectionist with zero tolerance for fools and mediocrity. A deep knowledge of obsolete technologies and failed processes, I am experienced with industry worst practices and accustomed to dealing with disfunctional management teams."

If I was hiring, an application like this would get my vote. Tell it like it is.

Please help me get my head around what they want to read, while also not window dressing...

[Song]

The first reaction when I saw the title is: HOW MUCH?

[dnar]

The first reaction when I saw the title is: HOW MUCH?

How much you offering!?!!!!! I am high maintenance.

[The_Doctor]

I thought there was a very low-rent 2-dollar payload to this one, but I'll draw a polite veil and not go there.

I have no idea about this problem, never had such a job, and never will, but if a rank outsider's thought is of any worth, try this: Tell them what you want to do. If they wanted a grunt they'd hire one, so I think they want someone who doesn't need to be told where and when and how high to jump. If what you want to do is useful to them, you both win. Also, show them something you have done, and explain how you did it, especially if it was a collaborative project. I bet the only reason they want paperwork is to save some time, but whoever they get to hire, they will stop caring about the paper and only be interested if you can do what they need without them feeling like it's an uphill struggle pushing to make it happen. Maybe try to arrange a meeting even if only for the few moments it takes to give them papers or something. A moment like that might resolve more, faster, than any other way. If you can't persuade them to do that, then you already know the odds are against you.

Edit: At this point it looks like they want to see how well you can communicate your intent, ideas, etc, in the absence of a more direct route. From what I've seen you have no problem with writing effectively. Just go direct. Don't try to please them, you don't know what pleases them so you might as well go with what pleases you and see if they also like it. There's no way you can predict how they'll interpret it, so just avoid anything that looks to you like it isn't in line with your intent. You can only give it your best shot.

[dnar]

Sound advise for a sound job. Let me give this try.

I can't deliver the papers person, yet as the agency is in London and the job in Germany.

[The_Doctor]

Wow, very global... Ok, I guess maybe try thinking 'vorsprung durch technik', a bit. In other words, do what you do already, think cleanly about what you want to do. From what I've seen of Germans and technical Germans specifically, they like to cut to the chase. Your design of that logger gets to what is important, the same way Dieter Doepfer's designs do. This could work ok for you. Just a question of whether they want it too.

[dnar]

Yep, they are uber structured for sure. I have worked with German R&D teams before, I like it very much. I'll point out I am very structured and process driven. Thanks, this is the kind of chat I needed.

[The_Doctor]

Ok. Anyway, if you have done it before, all the better.