Academy Coaching

Presentation on effectively selling your strengths UM/MSU Career Event: “Job Search 2.0 : Your Future”

Sell Yourself, Not Your Dignity

In a tough job market, approach your job search like an entrepreneur preparing to create a new start-up.

What Does Behaving Like an Entrepreneur Mean?

It means being comfortable in taking an unconventional path, in digging deep to understand opportunities.

It means saying  yes  when others say  no .

It means seeing opportunities where others see loss.

It means being tenacious, passionate, competitive, and innovative.

In a tough market, strong qualifications and accomplishments are necessary, but not sufficient, to find a job

Networking should be the primary focus of everything you do

Sell Yourself by Developing a Positioning Statement

Throughout the last _____ years I have worked primarily in the field of _________________ as a (title)________________providing (functions)____________________________I have specific expertise in (indicate skills, functions, type of activities or processes you have become skilled ___________________________________________________________________I am seeking opportunities to (describe the position or role you want, not title and how you can contribute ___________________________________________

Sell Yourself by

Being Focused and Knowledgeable

Create a target list of companies

• Wish list
• Research specific organizations by industry
• Identify Hiring Managers

(C of I)

• Create an outreach plan
• Maintain accurate records of contacts and follow-up on leads

Resources for researching companies

• Review their website
• Utilize social media websites to identify/talk with current or past employees
• Wetfeet.com
• www.hoovers.com
• Alumni Association

Association www.hoovers.com

Sell Yourself by Leveraging Your Portfolio Tools

Cover letters can open doors when used for:

Responding to an advertised opening

Following up on a personal referral

Introducing yourself to a decision maker

A networking  follow up

Rules of thumb for a well written cover letter:

Customize your message

Highlight and expand on the most relevant facts on your resume

Give a relevant, customized example that is not on your resume

Show that you familiar with the company

Sell Yourself by  Leveraging Your Portfolio Tools

Resume building blocks include:

Contact Information

Summary of key skills

Education

Professional experiences

Affiliations and memberships

Publications and presentations

Honors and awards

Resume guidelines

Be brief

Be specific

Be active

Be selective

Be honest

Sell Yourself by Leveraging Your Portfolio Tools

• Create list of professional references
• Request letters of recommendation

Sell Yourself by Preparing for Common Interview Questions

Educational, volunteer and work history

Qualifications

Career goals, length of commitment to the area or organization

Strengths

Weaknesses

Questions for them

Sell Yourself by Following Up After the Interview:

Make notes on questions you were asked, reflect and respond

Send a personal thank you note  address questions that may have been left unanswered

Follow up with a telephone call to check on the status of the process

Sell Yourself by Negotiating Wisely

Do extensive research, preparation and practice beforehand (wwwsalary.com)

Know exactly what you need and exactly what you want

Establish the real value of an offer

Ask yourself : Is this the right fit?