It may feel counterintuitive to think of marketing yourself for a job. However, in the modern age of social media and Google, you are the commodity, goods and services. You are offering your services and your time in exchange for a paycheck.
Looking for a job - a tough feat in any field - can be even harder when the economy is down. Good marketing can set you apart from other candidates if you know how to properly promote yourself.
You might have better skills and knowledge than other candidates in your field, but unfortunately, if they have more effective marketing, they might have a better shot at the job. As a double minority, I fully recognize that the hiring system and process are not always fair. However, if you play your cards right, you can land any job you want.
Doing Your Homework
When you're looking for a job, be organized and prepared. Do your homework first. Determine the specific jobs you'd like and whether you have the proper skill set to apply.
If you don't have the skills, perhaps you can find a program where you can get specialized training to develop them. If you have the required skills, start working on your resume to highlight the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that pertain to the job you want.
In addition, do your research on the company to which you're applying. Potential employers will be impressed with your knowledge of the company and know that you're serious about getting the job.
Marketing Tips
When marketing yourself, there are specific things you can do to make yourself more attractive to the company. Some of them are more subtle than others.
Try using the following tips to promote yourself effectively:
1. Tweak your resume. Your resume is vital when it comes to landing a job. It's much more than a simple piece of paper. Your resume represents you and describes what you've done to prepare for the specific job. Take the time to customize your resume to include items specific to the job you're applying for. Employers prefer that you keep it simple and on-topic.
2. Come dressed for success. Always pay close attention to what you wear when making a first impression because you may not get a second chance. It says a lot about you. Dressing for success increases your chances of landing a job. How you show up for the interview may indicate to management how you will show up for work and represent their brand.
3. Be ready to nail the interview. At the interview, smile and stay as relaxed as possible. You'll want to appear friendly and knowledgeable in your field. Your clearly articulated knowledge, skills, and abilities in your resume got you to the interview. How you nail the interview determines if you’re a good fit for the team!
4. Remember that you're always a student. Be humble, without selling yourself short, when you're looking for a job. You could always add something else to your skill set to compliment your current skills. Being able to cross-train easily might set you apart from your competition.
5. Check your own Internet sources. "Google" yourself to check what public information about you appears on the net. If there's something you might not want potential employers to see, find out if you can have it removed. Your social media posts speak about you beforehand. Ensure that your social media posts align with who you are. As yourself the question, ‘would you hire you after reviewing your various social media posts?’.
6. Come prepared to share new ideas. Before the interview, practice thinking on your feet and presenting new ideas to a friend. Then, you'll be ready for any opportunity at the interview to share these ideas. When you do, it'll show you're willing to go the extra mile and think creatively.
7. Explain what sets you apart. If given the chance, explain what sets you apart from your competition. It's a great way to really sell yourself to the employer.
8. Ask questions of the interviewer(s). At the end of most interviews, the interviewers will ask, ‘Do you have any questions for me/us?’. Be prepared to ask at least two engaging questions. Asking engaging questions allows the interviewer(s) to share some insight into themselves and the company and, by default, shows your interest in learning more about the organization. One example of an engaging question is, “What do you like most about working in the organization?’.
A big key to landing the job you desire is having a positive attitude and the proper training, whether on-the-job or formal. Stay organized, calm, and persistent, and you'll go far.
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