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ME Inc.
Career Insider Finance
By Sandra Wasch
Contributed by: Career Insider, http://careerinsider.ca/
As you finish school, you should start thinking of yourself differently. You are now the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation called Me Inc. You sell a great product — all the skills, education, and work experiences you have to offer an employer.
But it’s a competitive world out there. Companies like Me Inc. are a dime-a-dozen today, with many high-profile graduates competing for the same jobs. So, like all businesses, you need to find a way to sell your product and stay in the game.
With careful planning, you can come up with a strategy to differentiate yourself from your competition, and learn how to close deals with prospective employers who will welcome your skills and reward you with a great salary. Are you up for the challenge?
Start managing your career like a business!
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Don’t overlook the power of a good first impression. In business, people often make assumptions about your professional credibility and potential performance, based only upon your appearance during a first meeting. It’s very difficult to overcome a poor first impression, regardless of your knowledge or expertise, so learn how to dress the part.
During the interview, unless you are instructed by the interviewer not to. Don’t worry if the interviewers themselves are not.
TIP: Always wear a suit to an interview, unless you are instructed by the interviewer not to. Don’t worry if the interviewers themselves are not.
DISCUSS YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
What have you got to offer your future employer that no one else can offer? What makes you better than your competitors? In business, you need to be able to clearly discuss your competencies, and what differentiates you from your competitors.
TIP: Think outside of the box if you’re struggling for ideas here. If your technical skills don’t differentiate you, focus on soft skills such as your ability to communicate, your listening skills, or your amazing ability to connect with clients, just to name a few.
SHOW A RECORD OF SUCCESS
Word-of-mouth advertising is said to be the most effective form of adverting in business. There’s no better way to market yourself than to supply references from your existing customers.
TIP: Back up the work experiences in your résumé with at least three powerful business references that are willing to promote your good work.
HIGHLIGHT YOUR ROI
Return on investment (ROI) is what a business can expect in return for their investment. What can employers expect by hiring you? If they are willing to invest significant time and money in training you, what can you bring to the table?
TIP: Back up your proposals by discussing how you previously improved something at school, or at work, and how you executed this.
PERFECT YOUR SALES SKILLS
Businesses are in business because they fill a need. But if you can’t discuss the need you fill, it’s going to be a hard sell. Think about how many businesses bombard you with advertisements everyday to buy their products. The first thing you ask yourself is
“Do I need this product?”. Employers are no different. They’re bombarded by hundreds of résumé applications, and ask themselves if they need this person to work for their company?
TIP: Take the guesswork out of you. Tell employers what needs you fill by including a clear career profile, so they know which department to send your résumé to, or what position (or needs) you are seeking to fill.
KNOW YOUR TARGET MARKET
How can you sell to your customers if you don’t know who they are? Like any business, Me Inc. needs to take the time to identify who needs their product. What employers are interested in the skills, education, and experiences you are offering? What types of industries? What cities? It is a waste of your time, and advertising dollars, to market yourself to someone who is not interested.
TIP: Stop sending mass résumés to employers who may not be offering jobs suitable to you. Take the time to research employers through their websites, or by reading news and press releases, and target who you send your résumé to.
EXPLORE AN UNTAPPED MARKET
When a market is saturated, businesses look for a new market to sell their products to, or they pursue the long-and-bumpy road of trying to beat the competition to gain a greater market share. Can Me Inc. afford to explore other markets? Could you pursue employers in another geographic region? Do your skills and experiences easily transfer to another industry?
TIP: If everyone is looking to move to the big city for a job, could you move to a small town to gain more experience? Remember, nothing is forever.
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