Apply Marketing Strategies in Your Job Hunt

Apply Marketing Strategies in Your Job Hunt

“Nothing can stop a person with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; but nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude.”   – Thomas Jefferson
The economic crisis has bitten deep, and a growing pool of talented individuals is chasing an ever-diminishing number of jobs. Pushing to the head of the queue is difficult, but becoming a successful candidate is a matter of adapting some of your existing skills. Job-hunting is not the time for false modesty, as you are selling the most valuable product of all: Yourself.

Applying some simple sales and marketing techniques to your quest for employment can make all the difference.

Your Marketing Message

To be successful, you need to establish your marketing message and communicate your unique talents to potential employers. Your resume and applications must reinforce this message, leaving no room for doubt in the mind of the reader. While this is time consuming, you should tweak your message for each prospective employer. In today’s climate, you may need to put in a little extra effort to push yourself onto the final shortlist.

To ensure that you move from the pile of ‘maybes,’ to the pile of ‘Invite for Interviews,’ your resume should address the following points:

You must clearly state:

1. What position you are seeking.
2. Why you are qualified for this position.
3. What value you will bring to the company.
4. Why you are better than the other candidates.
5. Which talents prove that you will deliver results.
6. Your past successes and achievements.

To answer these points, you can highlight your relevant qualifications, experience, achievements and references. With this clarity, you force the employer into making a straight yes or no decision, which saves you both a lot of time.

Job Hunting and Your Sales Proposal

In any industry involving sales and marketing, successful businesses present their products and services with a powerful written proposal, showing their initiative and creativity. As a job candidate, you need to do the same and sell yourself as a product or service. Success is measured by receiving an offer to interview, which, like a sales meeting, allows you to close the deal.

In a tough economic climate, you cannot afford to wait passively for an offer; you need to seize the initiative and make things happen.

Writing a Strong Proposal Letter

Writing a strong proposal letter is a useful talent, and the best way to learn is by sitting down and doing it. For every failed proposal, analyze where you went wrong and modify your message accordingly.

To get you started, here are a few tips:

1. Assure the employer that you are qualified for the position and include your experience, skills and education. Even if you are lacking in one of these areas, showing that you learn quickly can convince employers.
2. Offer to work for a probationary period, giving the employer room to assess your fit and make their decision risk-free.
3. Show the employer that you mean business by telling them what results to expect and that you will resign if you fail to meet the goals.
4. Give the employer an ‘offer that they cannot refuse.’

Some of this sounds a little melodramatic, but in most cases, even if you do not manage to hit the target, you should have done enough to convince the employer that you are an asset and demonstrated initiative and confidence.  The proposal letter itself will set you apart from your competition.

Video Resume

For outgoing personalities, posting a video resume on YouTube and including a link in your proposal letter can reap dividends. However, if you are an introvert, or uncomfortable in front of a camera, concentrate upon the power of the written word.

Create A Website

Creating your own website shows initiative, and allows you to showcase your expertise and personality. One of the free website services, that offers an easy interface and intuitive navigation, is perfectly adequate. However, it should be professional; simple, elegant and plain is far better than a MySpace monstrosity, with flashing avatars and compromising photos. Unless, of course, you are after a job as a DJ.

Testimonials and References

Traditionally, the convention with resumes was to state, “Excellent References Supplied on Request.” This convention has changed, so include a page of brief testimonials, just as you would see included on a professional’s website or on the back of a book cover. Include the name, position and contact details. The chances are, if the potential employer has read this far through your resume, they are interested and you are giving them an extra push.

Broaden, Optimize and Broaden your Job Hunting

Here are a few further tips to maximize your potential, broaden your search and avoid wasting valuable time:

1. Networking: Join business-networking sites, such as LinkedIn.com and Ecademy.com. Spend time creating a great profile and make your presence known. Join the groups in your area of expertise, offer advice and make a name as a ‘go to’ person in your field. This organic approach is slow, but word of mouth is a staple of marketing.
2. Practice Your Interview Techniques: Use video technology to watch yourself under interview conditions and improve your technique. If you have friends who are also unemployed, use each other to role-play interviews. Practice is the key to confidence.
3. Be Positive: This can be difficult when you have bills to pay and a long list of rejections. However, you cannot afford to be negative, as employers will notice this. They want somebody with a ‘can do’ attitude.
4. Think Sideways: Make a list of your strengths and brainstorm, thinking of ways to adapt these to other professions and industries.
5. Research and Diversify: List which areas of industry are growing and consider learning new skills.
6. Planning and Strategy: Create a clear strategy for your job hunting approach. Devise a plan of how much time you will spend on each activity, and maintain a diary so that you do not forget anything.

• Mailing resumes
• Reading and replying to online job boards
• Attending networking events in your area
• Contacting former employers and gathering a list of testimonials
• Write and refine proposal letters, creating a stock of templates that you can adapt to different openings.
• Refine your interview techniques and increase your familiarity with behavioral interview techniques, which give you open-ended questions about how you handle certain situations.

Using these approaches will increase your chances of securing a job. Hard work is the key, and you must also work smarter. Selling yourself may not be natural to you, however it is a critical skill needed in securing a new position. Rather than waiting for the next invitation to interview, apply the techniques and skills of successful marketers and you’ll be more likely to make things happen.

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SAMPLE “PROPOSAL” COVER LETTER

Date

Mr. James Jones

Jones Restaurant

2197 E. 8th Street

City, CA 90000

Dear Mr. Jones,

I would like to make a proposal to you – regarding the advertised position of [insert title].

As firm believer in delivering results first, I would be delighted to assume the role of manager on a trial basis, and if you determine that I have not achieved the following results with 60-90 days, I will immediately tender my resignation:

• Develop …
• Implement …
• Increase …

[insert results you believe you can achieve]

During my six years as Hospitality Manager with the prestigious [Restaurant / Hotel name],
I achieved the following results:

• Developing a customer-focused culture, communicating it to staff, and ensuring that they lived the famed [company name] values
• Increasing the profit margin by 22%, over a two year period
• Implementing streamlined cashing-up procedures, which reduced weekly cash losses by 9%

I have a wealth of qualifications, including a Degree in Hospitality Management… [insert qualifications/education/training].

I am confident that I bring highly competent and experienced leadership to your team – and
so, I am offering my services – at no risk to you.

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this proposal.

Yours sincerely,

John P. Smith

P.S.  As you can see from the attached resume, I have extensive industry experience, and excellent references.

[attach resume and a page listing personal “testimonials” / references with contact info]