Knowing market yourself is crucial to landing your dream job.
The word marketing is usually associated with large businesses and organizations, but marketing is equally important to individuals. Creating and expressing an image of yourself that emphasizes your core values, greatest strengths and future goals is crucial to landing a satisfying position. It's important to do a self-evaluation and polish your networking skills in order to put your marketing plan in action.
Instructions
1. Make a list of your strengths. Review your current resume and make a list of practical skills you have attained throughout your job history. Add any interpersonal or leadership skills that you have gained as well. Remember to consider volunteer positions, hobbies and other similar activities you participate in as you tally your strengths.
2. Determine your values. Make a second list of values and beliefs that are most important to your identity and career practices. Narrow your list to three to five values that are most important to your career and life.
3. Create goals. Do some writing about your personal and career goals. Consider where you would like to be in a few years as well as where you would like to be in the long run. Prioritize your list based on which goals are most important to you.
4. Consider how you can contribute to various groups. Write about how you can best use your strengths, values and goals to make a difference to your future employers, family, community or the larger world. Think about how your specific set of skills could make an impact on local organizations. Research and make a list of local organizations where you think you would be a good fit.
5. Write a personal marketing plan. Create a brief statement that expresses your goals, values and strengths. Include organizations or positions that you feel you would be a good fit with based on your lists. Emphasize what makes you stand out from others who may be interested in similar positions. Review the marketing plan often to help you remind yourself of your goals.
6. Analyze and evaluate the job market. Look on career websites and job boards for positions and companies that will allow you to use your skills, meet your goals and support your values. Visit company websites and take notes on how well each company's mission meshes with your own.
7. Create a resume and cover letter. Put together a resume for positions you are interested in that emphasizes your strengths and values. Again, include volunteer positions and other activities that have helped you gain experience and expertise. Use your marketing plan as you write a cover letter that focuses on how your goals, values and skills mesh with those necessary for the position. Explain what you can offer. Vary your resume and cover letter as necessary based on the position. Send your resume to potential employers.
8. Network with other professionals. Use your mission statement to help you determine which individuals in your community you need to be in contact with to reach your goals. Join your local chamber of commerce or professional organization related to your field. Attend local or national meetings in your industry. Volunteer in areas of interest if you are considering nonprofit work. Have business cards ready to distribute to potential organizations that you might be a good fit with. Utilize social media websites to connect with other professionals in your field.
Tags: your goals, marketing plan, your strengths, cover letter, most important, about your