Here in the Southeastern United States, we are digging out of an unusually persistent winter storm that served to slow everything down for a few days.
If you are in the job market, perhaps now is a good time to revisit the ways you are currently marketing yourself to potential employers.
What is your target?
To paraphrase one stand-up comedian: If you do not know where you headed - how will you know when you get there?
Is your target too broad? Are you just looking for a job - no matter what the responsibilities or schedule? If so, that aimlessness will likely come through in your resume or application and will be evident during your interview. Most employers are not looking for someone that just wants a job; they are searching for someone with passion and commitment - someone who knows what they want.
Location. Location. Location.
It is not only important that you have a good idea of what you want to do; you should also know where.
What organizations offer the type of work for which you are suited? Where are they located? Are you willing to go there?
Inventory
After all the bustle of holiday shopping, most retail stores take inventory. It is not very exciting.
However, the mundane task of counting every item is crucial; it is the only way retailers can truly know what they have to offer.
It is a good idea to revisit your resume periodically, but that event should be preceded by a time of taking inventory. What do you have to offer to potential employers?
To Market, To Market....
Now that you have re-evaluated your aim, identified potential targets and taken stock of what you have to offer - it is time to look at how you are marketing yourself.
The job search is very much a process of sales and marketing as you seek out prospective employers and sell them on your ability to best fill their needs.
What does your resume/application say about you? Does it reflect neatness and order? Is it too broad? Too narrow? Does it leave unanswered questions (like ambiguous dates and unexplained gaps)? Is it concise? Does it effectively portray how your experience matches the requirements for the position of interest? Does it include any negative statements about previous employers?
Finally, how are you communicating to potential employers? Are you tapping into the potential of social media? A lot of employers are reporting higher usage of Twitter and LinkedIn and other social media tools. Are you effectively using the tools available on the employers' career center website? Are you using volunteer and social opportunities to network and learn about potential openings?
So here's hoping 2011 will find you stepping back a moment in order to start fresh with your job search!
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