MARKETING YOURSELF

Marketing yourself is essential to your job search. Do you have a plan to market yourself to employers? If not, it is time that you developed a plan and put it into action.

Answer The Following:

MY BEST SKILLS ARE ____________, _____________, and _____________.

SOFT SKILLS I ALSO POSSESS ARE _______________, _______________, and _______________.

Review how you are presenting these skills in cover letters, resumes, interviews, and telephone conversations. If you have in mind the skills you plan to use as you go through the job search process, you will be conveying to potential employers what you have to offer.

IN ORDER TO SHOW THEM WHAT SETS YOU APART, CONSIDER the following POINTS:

a. Communicate how you will make a difference in a company if hired. Present evidence of what you have previously accomplished. Your cover letter, resume, and any written communication should emphasize the background, training, and education which supports the skills you are marketing.

b. Convey to them what fresh outlooks you will bring to the table.

c. If you can save the company money, indicate how you will do this and state how you've accomplished this in the past for other companies.

d. Use the interview as the final opportunity to market yourself and your skills. Be sure to explain your skills thoroughly and how you will make a difference. Most likely, you will not get another chance.

e. Use follow-up letters and voice mail messages to restate the skills you are marketing.

f. If you have advocates who are in the company or who are writing letters or making phone calls on your behalf, be sure they are accurately relating the skills you have to offer. This means communicating to advocates what you are selling/marketing to the prospective employer. You may have to coach those speaking for you.

g. Rehearse - Do mock interviews using words and phrases that will market your skills and set you apart from others. Have close friends review the verbiage in letters and other communications you plan to use. Ask them for advice and assistance in improving your resume, cover letter, follow-up letters, and voice mails. Seek out people who have the skills to help you.

KEEP IN MIND THE SKILLS YOU ARE MARKETING AT ALL TIMES DURING YOUR JOB SEARCH.