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New Year. New Job.
It’s a new year with new goals. And for many, that includes a renewed commitment to finding a job, changing jobs, or getting promoted. But with a tight job market and a crowded corporate ladder, how can you stand out and get noticed to successfully meet that goal?
You will make your job search easier when you are intentional about marketing your skills and experience. Rather than simply hoping your resume gets read, identify what proactive steps will ensure that you and your accomplishments capture the hiring manager’s attention.
Here are three key tactics that will get the hiring manager wanting to know more:
Create your portfolio of accomplishments. Pull together your material that says “Here’s what I’ve done, and I have done it well.” It could include your resume, writing samples, customer commendations, letters of appreciation, an annotated list of key projects or presentations, etc. Place them in a folder and bring them to the interview. Leave it with the hiring manager as a reminder of who you are and what you’ve accomplished.
Prepare your stories. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Be ready to tell the hiring manager about specific examples (stories) of how you have done your work. Tell them how you resolved a customer complaint, describe how you initiated a difficult conversation with a coworker, explain how you reduced costs. Each story markets your experience. It says you know how to do what they need done.
Stay visible. Networking should always remain a priority. Participate in association meetings, business round tables, conversations with industry colleagues, etc. Make it a point to stay current and engaged in your field. You want to be the person that comes to mind when an opening is created.
We’ll discuss these in a little more detail in the next few postings.
Don’t wait for someone to find you. Make yourself known.
