Market Yourself
"Market Yourself
Finding your next job involves developing a marketing plan for yourself. When you hear the word “Volvo” or “Coke” we automatically think “Safety” and “It’s the Real Thing”. Likewise, when you hear “Yugo” ……well, you get the point.
Think of yourself as a product and how you can position and promote your skills in order to get the right job and further your career. How are you perceived right now? Do you even know? The first order of business is to conduct a self-analysis and determine where you stand right now.
Conduct a self-analysis
- Make a list of three or four things that you are presently known for at work.
- Identify three or four ways that your current work is challenging.
- List at least three things you've recently learned at work.
- Name two or three things that would give you more of a presence.
- List the names of four or five important contacts you have added to your address book in the past year.
- Name the one thing you need to work on most to improve your resume.
Define the product – you.
- Why you are unique. What's different and special about you that will separate you from the competition?
- Is your product is appropriately priced. Does the market know what you have accomplished and your worth?
- Choose an appropriate term to describe your career. How do you define yourself if someone asks you what you do for a living? For example, if you are an accountant, you might want to begin describing yourself as a tax consultant or a merger/acquisition analyst instead.
Know your market
- Who are your target customers and in the future?
- Why would they want to use your product?
- Who are the real decision-makers in your target market?
- Who needs to know about your product?
- Research extensively to become an expert on your market.
Make a plan
- Create a one- or two-page document outlining how you will move forward.
- How will you utilize what you learned in the first three steps?
- List companies you want to join.
- Establish yourself as a solid performer in your current role.
- Volunteer for committees in your field to get some exposure.
- Present a proposal to the identified decision makers in your market.
- Determine your marketing channels
- Become active in a professional or community organization.
- Network like crazy.
- Stay in constant touch with recruiters and headhunters.
- Post your new resume on Net-Temps
- Volunteer for assignments that will expand your skill inventory.
from net-temps.com"
<Note from JobFairy.com: I don't know about all this self-actualization and product definition stuff. Following the Job Fairy algorithm, though, has resulted in more money for me every year. Hey - if it works...>
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