question 129: How do I sell myself while avoiding sounding overconfident or too experienced?

First of all, the language in this question concerns me. Believe it or not, it makes you sound like you're not confident and don't have enough experience. Why? Because a confident experienced person would never ask a question like this. To me, over-confident reads, "I act cocky to appear confident even though I'm not." Too experienced reads, "I'm applying for jobs I'm overqualified for, but I need the work."

Secondly, I'm going to re-work the question to read:

I have years of experience. How do I sell myself to people with less experience without seeming overqualified?

There are very specific strategies I use to coach my clients in this situation. In fact, I like to address every job opportunity with them separately. So, for the sake of the readers, I'll give you some general guidelines:

1. Imagine why the person hiring you would object to your experience.

2. Create a positive counter conversation for any objection you imagine. In other words, show the person how your experience makes you an asset to them in a way they never considered.

3. Re-consider how much you choose to share about your experience if it really is hindering you.

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, the Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com

Question 86: What do you do if you call someone and they don't call you back?

My question to you is, did you give them a reason to call you back? FYI: calling to say "I'm available" or "just checking in" doesn't warrant a return call from someone who has a full schedule. If you called for either of those reasons, consider your objective met; they know you're available and you've officially checked in.

Now, if you called for a specific reason like, he/she told you to follow up, or you had a question, wait a week, if it's not urgent, and follow up again.  THIS TIME, tag on the end that "you know they are very busy, so if you don't hear back, you'll try again next week." Then your call is expected.

My rule of thumb in this business of "sales" AKA "selling yourself" is:

You keep calling until you are told to stop OR until you feel icky about (yes, icky is now officially a business term). 

If you are stopping because you feel "icky" leave a closure message along the lines of, "I've left 3 messages and I don't want to be a bother, so I won't call again. If you do have time to talk in the future, I welcome your call."

For more tips and articles by top entertainment industry coach, The Greenlight Coach, visit www.thegreenlightcoachblog.com