Congratulations. Your new job is….. getting yourself a job.
To be successful in today’s competitive landscape it’s time to start thinking of yourself as a sales person whose livelihood is dependent on the sales of your product, except that in this case, you are tasked to market and sell the best product you have – YOU. That is what searching for a job is all about.
The most effective marketer knows how to position his/her product and tout all the benefits that are relevant to the needs of a buyer. Similarly, to close the sale and wow the employer, you need to expound on the benefits of the product – your strengths, work experience, industry knowledge, contacts, skills, abilities and successes, and quote examples that matter most to the company’s objectives or vision.
Step 1: Qualify Yourself
Write the following down on a list:
a) What you want and need from a job
b) What you have to offer or clarifying the question “Why Hire Me?”
c) Assign the “Why Hire Me” to accompany each feature you “want” and “need” from a job.
Step 2: Analyse your “Why Hire Me” Points
Many job seekers fail to inform potential employers of key facts about themselves, because they have not fully acknowledged their own strengths and skills. Ask friends, references, former managers and business colleagues what they see as your strengths. List at least 20 key reasons why an employer should hire you. This will help you more honestly and fully express yourself both on paper but also in person which will ultimately improve your chances of being hired.
Step 3: Prepare a Resume that will Secure Interviews
The main purpose of writing your resume is to get you interviews. Look at it like a sales brochure that’s main aim is to secure interest from an employer who then wants to learn more about you face to face. If necessary, enlist professional help to develop an effective brochure (resume) that summarises the key strengths and benefits you identified in Step 2.
Step 4: Implement Your Recruitment Strategy
Many professionals market themselves solely through job applications and networking. These tactics are limiting and you’ll do better by creating multiple paths toward the central goal of getting interviews. List down every method you can think of that could generate leads, and then follow up every lead until you get either the interview or another lead.
The following ideas you might not have thought of doing:
Contact your references, ask if they know anyone hiring.
Send the word out around your circle of friends. It’s not what you know, it’s who!
Contact former bosses you have worked with or colleagues to let them know you’re available.
Field prospects from the business section of the news: Who just won the last big project?
Ensure your LinkedIn, Oil-pro or any online career profile is available, up to date & importantly has the same content across all platforms.
Contact Recruitment agencies in your field of expertise and meet them in person.
Research profiles of people at target companies and their progression
Join industry groups. Many potential employers or specialised recruiters will join groups that directly align with the types of people they hire.
Good luck with the sales campaign and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries about this blog or how Talent Blueprint can help you or your company secure that next golden appointment.
