I know. Everybody says your work history and list of accomplishments will sell themselves. Your interview challenge is to tout your past efforts and answer all the questions politely. WRONG!

Here's what the real interview challenge is all about. It all starts with changing some misconceptions about job search. You see, most of us were given advice that an interview with a prospective employer means talking about your background and work history.

Like I said, nothing could be further from the truth.

It's not about your past or what you used to do for someone else. It's about how you come across right now, in the present moment. That means you have to sell yourself so people get a powerful snapshot of you . . . one that makes them sit up and pay attention to you!

And since some of your best job recommendations and referrals are going to come from people you already know and respect, you must be able to sell them as well. In short, the interview challenge is all about selling!

So how do you do that?

Here's one way that's easy and yet very powerful: prepare a carefully crafted assertive story about you. Then rehearse it. Here are some tips to help you put together this important sales presentation.

1. Make a list of your personal work-related qualities, values and accomplishments (not your work history).

2. Select two or three work accomplishments you are particularly proud of that illustrate your qualities and capabilities--and demonstrate quantifiable results.

3. Now put together a short (one or two minutes) assertive story that weaves together a picture of you at work--one that illustrates the most representative of your qualities and values.

So if an employer asks you to tell a little bit about yourself (they all do!) or even if they don't, you're ready with a well-rehearsed story that sells YOU.

For example, you might say

"I have to believe you're always on the lookout for someone who's loyal, hard-working and can be counted on to get the job done. Am I right? It reminds me of a particularly challenging assignment I had. My boss told me I was responsible to meet a tight deadline and I had to put together a team to get the job done. I recruited some co-workers, set up a task force and achieved my boss' goal within 48 hours. The company realized 20% growth in my sector. My boss congratulated me and told me I'd be up for a raise."

You can put yourself way ahead of the pack by selling yourself. Take this solid interview challenge: sell yourself with a good story.. All it takes is an assertive story and a little practice.