Marketing Oneself.

Never have I enjoyed marketing. I don't dislike it but I don't like it either. 

Marketing is the like learning concepts and theories inside a classroom. They are intangible... just words that you have to understand and later on apply. I was never a fan of it. I have always preferred learning things in the most practical way - which is doing it on the job. Therefore, rather than a person giving me sales talk about a product I would rather have his mouth shut and just let me try the product. (Probably the reason why I have always loved sample products). It gives you the real deal. No fake promises. No fancy and big words. 

But today, I had to do a little bit of marketing. I had to sell myself today to my manager. But I think the situation is a bit different. Because this manager has already seen the product (which is me) and how it (in this case, I) work. So, it's more of proving oneself that you can do more. So yeah, I guess still marketing.

I do not have the best words for myself. It took me a lot of time to prepare for me to have something to write on my notes. It was crazy. It was so HARD. Nothing comes out of my head. And when I try to do a mock interview, I was stuttering. But I had to overcome it if I really want to this... THIS PROMOTION.

DB promotion is really crucial. I just learned now that in Mumbai branch the process is even more rigorous compared to what we have in Manila. But Manila, as it is, is really hard especially when one would compare it to other service centers or even to other banks. People don't just get promoted because they are good or they've done better. They are getting promoted because they have done the best. Competition is really intense. And one has to always keep up his/her game.

To be promoted, I have to undergo 2 interviews. One just happened a few hours ago. I was interviewed in Mumbai. There was a little bit of pressure especially during the preparation part of the process as I was also doing migration of the process.

INTERVIEWS. Selling myself. Proving that I fit for the job. OH MY.

But I had to do it. I do believe I truly deserve this promotion. I had to sell myself. 

There were a lot of evaluation that had happened. I had to reflect and ponder on the things I have done over the past two years in the Bank... what went well and what could have done better. Those are the two basic questions that could branch into so many answers.

It wasn't easy. The perception of oneself against another person will certainly differ, and selling oneself (through an interview)can reconcile this two together. Three important things to remember in every marketing task: TRUTH, FATIH and CONFIDENCE.

TRUTH: Probably one of the reasons why I don't believe in marketing (at least for product marketing) is that most people doing it talk bullshit. In selling oneself, one has to only talk about the truth. No masks. No fake promises. One may have goal such as high sales or in my case be promoted but you can't never get it by lying.   Always...always speak about the truth. Because it will certainly get back at you when you lie.

FAITH. One has to believe in whatever he/she is selling to make other people believe also that the product could work (or whatever it is the product can do). It will certainly manifest how a person believes on something/someone when he/she sells it. But if this isn't the case, then whatever you are trying to achieve, you are screwing it up.

CONFIDENCE. Once you have the first two, this last one should be easy. Show people that whatever you are trying to achieve, you are ready for it.

Oh one last thing... PRAY. Never ever doubt the power of prayer. Gives you just the right amount of push to start/continue the game. 

The first three things are easier said than done. You will get nervous that you are sick to your stomach. But you get nervous for two things: One is when you didn't prepare at all and second is you have done your best and you think something might go wrong. I believe what happened to me in my interview was the latter. But, being nervous is a good thing. It means it will lead you into something important. It matters to you that much that your heart gets all excited and pumps blood faster. I guess that is how it is. 

~

Now, the selling of oneself is almost done. It's now the evaluation. Where do I go? How do I feel? 

Pray. Believe. 

Half of what I have to go through is almost over.