Self-promotion is vital to secure a job
Whether you like it or not, you need to do self-promotion to get that job.
Good jobs do not come to you in a silver platter.
Unfortunately, it’s not something we do naturally.
If people don’t know that you are looking for a job, what you want from the job or what you can give or create in terms of value, then they can’t hire you or even help you out.
Set-up and use your personal blog to write a post about your last role, your achievements, your personal values, and what you are looking for in an ideal job.
Treat finding a job like finding a sales or business opportunity. In all seriousness, it’s really a business!
Keep a daily log of how many meetings you’ve had, how many job applications you’ve written, and how many interviews you’ve been on.
The bottom line is this.
If you have no meetings, no job applications or interviews lined up, nothing will ever happen. Absolutely nothing.
Be open to seeking feedback from your friends and business acquittances on your blog, your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your articles, etc.
Always be prepared with a response. Don’t get caught out.
People will inevitably ask you questions like “how are you going?”, “what are you looking for?” or “is there anything I can do to help?”
There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Leave your ego aside and get that job.
Keep a regular routine and treat the job hunt like an office job with hours you start and finish. If possible, do the work away from home – in the library, etc.
Make personal branding your goal in life
My manager once told me that it’s all about personal branding.
He used this interesting question, “What is your personal brand?”
My personal brand is encapsulated in my expertise in risk management and helping people future-proof themselves through articles on my blog, Allmoneymakingideas.com. I also have an active LinkedIn profile where I blog professionally,
In developing your personal branding, launch a unique website (www.johndoe.com), or use free websites like LinkedIn or WordPress.com to start building your digital trail. Do leave “breadcrumbs” across the Internet world so that you and your work could be found.
The more Internet hits you have, the higher your perceived value and brand will be. The social proof you build over time will be invaluable to you.
Managing perception is important as part of your personal brand building.
Enhance your personal brand through a personal blog
A personal website gives you a place to showcase your learning, prove yourself as a communicator (i.e., competent writer), establish yourself as an authority, professional, or expert, and leave a digital paper trail that will follow you wherever you go.
Do be careful when commenting on social media as your comments will be cast in stone forever and may even come back to bite when you are truly famous!
When commenting or writing, ask this question, “Is this content evergreen over the next two years and will it builds up or encourage others?”
Think about your question to this question.
Who would you hire – Applicant #1 or #2?
Applicant #1 has a degree in marketing and a recommendation from one of her professors.
Applicant #2 has no degree, but he has written 15 well researched in-depth articles on topics ranging from social media marketing to customer acquisition. These activities show that he has a true passion and a genuine interest in the field or profession, the ability to research and write content, and some real or unique ideas. His website has an about page that shows who he is in a way that a resume never could.
Certainly, Applicant #2 will have my vote of confidence!
People do drop out of college for various reasons. Great entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are great examples of very successful people who have not completed their college degrees. So having a degree may not enhance your personal brand. It’s what you do with your life that matters most.
For some industries, it’s common for job seekers to video themselves aimed at introducing people to them. Upload these videos on your own blog.