Marketing yourself to employers

So how do you go about marketing yourself to employers?  How do you go about marketing anything to anyone?  Simple.

You just have to identify selling points, decide on a method by which to communicate them to your target market and compose that communication effectively.

That's it.

 

What, you want more?

 

Oh, OK then....

 

Identifying your selling points to begin marketing yourself.

Write a list.

It's best to get it all onto paper so you can sit down and look over it afterwards (and use it to write your CV).  There is no point in knowing in your head what you are good at.  So write a list.

Your selling points, or strengths are what you will be judged on (you also have to use them to overshadow your weaknesses).

Selling points are ideally unique, but you need to cover the basics that most employers look for (e.g. communication skills, team player, reliable, etc - you've probably seen all that stuff on job adverts).  So use these basic skills as a starting point.

When you've got the basics out of the way, you need to concentrate on your unique skills.  What sets you apart from the crowd?  Why should the employer hire you over the hundreds of other candidates?  What are your strengths?

I can't tell you what they are.  Ask your friends.  Ask your teachers or tutors.  Ask your family.  Ask your employer (don't telling them you're leaving though...).

For me, my unique selling points were these:

• Good with computers (quick typist, fast learner, fair amount of experience).

• Good with customers (I have a good concept of marketing and plenty of customer service experience).

• Good working in teams (I get on well with people).

• Good looking (I don't put that on the CV though - that's a small bonus for the interview ).

When you have a list of your selling points you are one step closer to marketing yourself to your potential employer.

How to market your skills

First you could find a job to apply for:

Or you could send your CV off to recruitment agencies:

It is through these channels that you will be communicating your skills, either through your CV or an application form (and if you are lucky - an interview, an assessment centre, or some further form of testing).

Composing your communication effectively

There are a few main points to remember, as again, I cannot tell you the best way to market yourself.

Firstly, when writing your CV, filling in an application form or attending an interview, the main thing to remember is to focus on your selling points (remember the list you wrote?).  These are what an employer will base his or her decision on, so you must now play your aces!

Next, try to relate to what the employer has asked for in the advert.  If there are specific skills you don't have enough experience in, then explain why the skills you do have are even more important (and it doesn't harm to exaggerate your experience slightly - don't lie, but don't under sell yourself).

Finally remember - 9 times out of 10 you won't get the job.  It's not the end of the world - do get some feedback if you can and definitely use it to build on for the future.  Live and learn!

by Shaun Thomas
WoW Careers Services
© March 2007

Need more help or advice? WoW Careers Services offers a range of CV and Career Coaching Services, click here for more info.

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