Job searching is a job in itself and once you have the strategy, then you can make a start on your CV and applications.
First and foremost is working out your USP. Your unique selling point. From the moment you decide to look for another job you need to be responsible for marketing. You will be marketing yourself and by making yourself into a personal expert brand you will have the confidence to tell potential employers, networking contacts, past colleagues, friends and family what you are good at and where you want to be in your next role as well as responding to recruitment agency consultants, job adverts and writing speculative approaches to interesting organisations.
[pullquote]To be in business today, the most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You. – Tom Peters [/pullquote]
Steps to work out your job focused USP
1. Have a clear job objective that demonstrates your background
2. Identify your skills, knowledge and experience
3. Determine who you help or what problems you solve
4. Write up your PAR/STAR stories
5. Update your CV
6. Have a positive response to the question – why are you unique?
Your professional USP should be no more than three paragraphs and perhaps just 6-7 sentences. It can be used when you start networking.
For help in writing up your job related USP contact us.