By
By Jennifer Conrad
Want to wow potential employers in this sluggish economy? You probably have more going for you than you think—but it's all about presenting yourself the right way. Whether you're casually browsing for new opportunities or actively seeking a job, experts say certain strategies can increase your chances of landing a great job. If you want to write irresistible cover letters, emphasize accomplishments on your resume and ace interviews, start by asking yourself these questions.1. Who do I know and who do I need to know?
"It's really important to be strategic," says certified executive coach and self-promotion expert Bonnie Marcus. She suggests figuring out who you know at companies where you want to work. This might include friends and old colleagues—or even your boss if you're angling for an internal promotion. Even if the people you know aren't in a position to hire you, they can help open doors. Ultimately, you want to find the "decision makers and people who have the ears of decision makers," says Marcus, whether it means sending a resume and cover letter directly to them, or asking an acquaintance for an introduction.
"It's really important to be strategic," says certified executive coach and self-promotion expert Bonnie Marcus. She suggests figuring out who you know at companies where you want to work. This might include friends and old colleagues—or even your boss if you're angling for an internal promotion. Even if the people you know aren't in a position to hire you, they can help open doors. Ultimately, you want to find the "decision makers and people who have the ears of decision makers," says Marcus, whether it means sending a resume and cover letter directly to them, or asking an acquaintance for an introduction.
2. What can I bring to the table?
Having all the contacts in the world won't matter if you can't sell yourself. "Look at your recent accomplishments and what they say," suggests Marcus. From there, come up with about three adjectives that describe how you want people to view you and weave those keywords into your networking conversations and interviews. "You don't need to beat people over the head, but once you're in touch with what you have to offer, you can be pretty clear when communicating with others," she says.
Having all the contacts in the world won't matter if you can't sell yourself. "Look at your recent accomplishments and what they say," suggests Marcus. From there, come up with about three adjectives that describe how you want people to view you and weave those keywords into your networking conversations and interviews. "You don't need to beat people over the head, but once you're in touch with what you have to offer, you can be pretty clear when communicating with others," she says.
3. What have I done for my company?
Once you know what you have to offer—whether it's your great people skills or your mastery of Excel—figure out how that translates into results. Maybe your personality drew in new clients or your out-of-the-box thinking helped streamline processes so your colleagues can work more efficiently. Whatever accomplishments you've achieved, have lots of examples ready. Charles Purdy, Monster.com's senior editor, recommends spinning your accomplishments into meaningful lines on your resume. "It's a waste of space to just give a generic job description," says Purdy. "Tell a story about how you've increased profits with specific numbers," he offers as an example.
Once you know what you have to offer—whether it's your great people skills or your mastery of Excel—figure out how that translates into results. Maybe your personality drew in new clients or your out-of-the-box thinking helped streamline processes so your colleagues can work more efficiently. Whatever accomplishments you've achieved, have lots of examples ready. Charles Purdy, Monster.com's senior editor, recommends spinning your accomplishments into meaningful lines on your resume. "It's a waste of space to just give a generic job description," says Purdy. "Tell a story about how you've increased profits with specific numbers," he offers as an example.
4. How can I be an asset for the company I'm applying for?
"A lot of us use cover letters to talk about our past," adds Purdy. "Instead, sell yourself as someone who can do this and this for them." Research the goals of the company you're applying to and where they're trying to go. Then, explain why you're the person to help them reach those goals.
"A lot of us use cover letters to talk about our past," adds Purdy. "Instead, sell yourself as someone who can do this and this for them." Research the goals of the company you're applying to and where they're trying to go. Then, explain why you're the person to help them reach those goals.
5. What's the advantage of hiring someone with my experience?
If you're competing with a lot of younger people for a job, consider what you have to offer—the number of sales you've closed, for example, or your deep connections in the community. But if you have an employment history that stretches back a few decades, don't feel like you have to include every job you've ever held. Instead, stick to what's pertinent to your current career. "If you include everything, you're not telling a relevant story," says Purdy.
If you're competing with a lot of younger people for a job, consider what you have to offer—the number of sales you've closed, for example, or your deep connections in the community. But if you have an employment history that stretches back a few decades, don't feel like you have to include every job you've ever held. Instead, stick to what's pertinent to your current career. "If you include everything, you're not telling a relevant story," says Purdy.
6. What's happening in my field?
Especially if you've been out of the job market for a little while, find out what skills you might need to acquire in order to get up-to-date. That might mean learning a new computer program or getting to know how different social media tools work. Also, be sure to showcase anything you did while you weren't working, such as volunteering or taking classes.
Especially if you've been out of the job market for a little while, find out what skills you might need to acquire in order to get up-to-date. That might mean learning a new computer program or getting to know how different social media tools work. Also, be sure to showcase anything you did while you weren't working, such as volunteering or taking classes.
7. What keywords appear in the job listing?
This takes some extra time, but it's worth it to customize your resume for every job application. "Make sure you're speaking the language of the job posting," Purdy urges, explaining that some employers use software to scan resumes and pick up keywords. If there are terms in a job listing that match your experience, use them on your resume—for example, you might swap "management" for "supervisory" to echo the ad.
This takes some extra time, but it's worth it to customize your resume for every job application. "Make sure you're speaking the language of the job posting," Purdy urges, explaining that some employers use software to scan resumes and pick up keywords. If there are terms in a job listing that match your experience, use them on your resume—for example, you might swap "management" for "supervisory" to echo the ad.
8. What’s my online presence?
If your profile on a social networking site features boozy photos or a few off-color comments from your friends, spruce up your image—stat! Socioclean.com offers a free service that scans through your profile, including posts and photo tags, for a preselected list of offending words. At the end, you'll get a list of potentially troublesome items as well as a letter grade on the cleanliness of your profile—and you can decide what you want to delete. You should also try typing your name into a search browser like Google and see what comes up. "You can be certain an employer will," warns Purdy. If you aren't easy to find online, consider creating a simple website to showcase your professional accomplishments or starting a blog about something relevant to your industry ( Blogger.com is free and easy for novices to use).
If your profile on a social networking site features boozy photos or a few off-color comments from your friends, spruce up your image—stat! Socioclean.com offers a free service that scans through your profile, including posts and photo tags, for a preselected list of offending words. At the end, you'll get a list of potentially troublesome items as well as a letter grade on the cleanliness of your profile—and you can decide what you want to delete. You should also try typing your name into a search browser like Google and see what comes up. "You can be certain an employer will," warns Purdy. If you aren't easy to find online, consider creating a simple website to showcase your professional accomplishments or starting a blog about something relevant to your industry ( Blogger.com is free and easy for novices to use).
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com
No comments:
Post a Comment