You must know how the employer assesses potential, and developing a personal marketing plan will determine this. The personal marketing plan develops your self-analysis to include an analysis of the company and the competition you will face as a job hunter. With this basis you will be better able to create an intellectual selling message that can prove to the company of your potential. The time spent in doing a personal marketing plan has the same impact on the journey from unemployment to your ideal job. These two additional steps make the journey shorter and far more pleasurable.There are no effective shortcuts when it comes to the job search process. You must keep in mind that these few extra steps are what will set you apart from the people who want the same job as you. Many individuals fail in their job search due to their lack of preparation. Reasons they struggle through the process:
- They don’t really know who they are?
- What they really want to do?
- Why they would be good at it?
- What a potential employer is looking for?
- How they might add value to a particular organization?
These are difficult issues. Nevertheless, they are easy to get to to anyone with an ounce of effort. There is a large amount of commitment devoted to preparation. There are several tedious hours of self examination and assessments that can become tiring some but it is better than the ultimatum- settling for the wrong job.
PRODUCT ANALYSIS - Remember the product is you!
What do you value? What are your strengths?
Self-assessment is the key to this process. If you are unsure of your strengths, a good place to start is by creating or reviewing your résumé to see the skills you have developed and what you have done. An assessment may also help to clarify your strengths.
MARKET ANALYSIS
What employers are looking for those strengths? This is your target market
What do employers value?
Research the want ads to see what employers are looking for
Attend the job fairs and speak with the employers
Conduct informational interviews
Visit Career Resource Centers and use the books, magazines and newspapers to research companies
Use the Internet. Most companies have a Web page with their current job openings
TAKE THOSE THOUGHTS AND BEGIN TO ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS INTO A PLAN
Promoting a Product: YOU
Develop a résumé emphasizing your transferable skills along with a cover letter
Network
Develop and practice your interviewing skills
TRANSFORM THOSE PLANS INTO REALITY
Developing Yourself as the Product and Closing the Sale To Make Yourself Marketable:
Do an internship and gain valuable experience
Find a part-time job that gives you valuable skills that are easily transferable
Attend workshops that enhance your education
Accept leadership positions-get involved
Career Services can help with each of these stages of a job search
YOUR ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL
A job search is based on the concept of marketing yourself as a product. To improve your chances of creating a favorable impression, practice making a one-minute commercial. The “commercial” is a verbal overview of your self. Use the following format to produce a commercial for your use at job fairs and during networking events.
Politely introduce yourself, shake hands and smile
Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and industry
Explain what you can offer by highlighting your major skills/strengths
Express your interest in learning more about the organization by asking a direct question
|
