When you find your dream job posted online, you need to market yourself like Nike would. Don’t rush to submit your resume in hopes of being called for an interview. When you push the “submit” button, make sure your resume answers the following questions:
- Will they see what they are looking for?
- Were my resume and cover letter compelling enough?
Make Your Résumé a Marketing Document
Put your best foot forward. It’s a matter of using the right words to describe what you did in a way that makes you look great. Here’s an example: You join a software company that recently launched a product which created so many problems that they had to hire someone to handle the calls. You start doing the tech support, and you work tons of overtime because the calls are so backed up. You clean up the phone queue and then you start taking long lunches because there’s not a lot to do, and then you start job hunting because the job is boring.
Here’s how you summarize this job on your resume: Assumed management responsibility for tech support and decreased call volume by 20%. How do you know it was by 20%? Who knows? It was probably more. But you can’t quantify exactly, so err on the side of caution. Conversely, ifyou just say “Did tech support for a software company” no one knows you did a good job.
Have a Value Brand Proposition Instead of a Career Objective
Think of it this way: Your 30- or 60-second elevator pitch is a condensed, restated version of your resume. Your branding statement, in turn, is a condensed and restated version of your elevator pitch. It is the briefest possible answer to the question: “Tell me about yourself.” To help you with building your brand statement, answer the following questions first:
- What are you passionate about?
- What are your values?
- What differentiates your professional experience from that of others?
Here are the steps you can use to create a Value Proposition that will “wow” employers:
- Identify their very best strengths and skills.
- Study the company and industry being targeted.
- Understand the position and learn what the interviewer is looking for.
- From this information, create a concise statement that highlights their unique offerings.
If you’ve ever applied for a job that you knew was perfect for you but never received a reply, then these tips are meant for you. Developing and perfecting a strong “value proposition” – what you uniquely have to offer a company – is the most important aspect of getting the job you want.
Update your résumé now! Have a value brand proposition. Get with the program!
If you are a job seeker and would like to stop losing time and money on job search, tweet me on TWITTER, like me on FACEBOOK join me on LINKED IN – and let’s talk.
