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Manage your career like you would run a business
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Some of the critical success factors involved with leading an organization can also apply to an individual career management or job search strategy. For example:
Product Placement: What business are you in? Identify your niche and target your career management initiatives accordingly. Do not waste valuable time and resources pursuing positions that do not match your background, experience level and education. Likewise, make sure your search efforts are focused on the activities and venues that produce the best return on investment.
Marketing & Promotion: Your resume, cover letter and online profile represent your marketing tools. Use them as you would a brochure to advertise a product or service. Do they list the most attractive attributes to differentiate you from the competition? Know your audience. Is it easy for the prospective employer to recognize exactly how you would meet their needs? Are your materials and communications visually appealing, easy to read and understand?
Strategic Planning: Ongoing business development is built on reputation and relationships. Are you leveraging your personal and professional network for the next phase of your career? Are you continuously gauging progress and modifying your efforts in response to changes in the market and competitive landscape? Proactive and creative methods often get noticed and remembered. Think beyond the status quo to anticipate next steps needed to further your professional brand.
Sales & Follow-up: Interviews are similar to client meetings - learn what the employer's needs are and communicate how you can provide that solution. Come prepared with multiple success story examples in support of your value proposition. Following up and being persistent is essential. Each contact made should establish the groundwork for a potential sale or future lead.
Just like a solid business plan drives goals and deliverables; streamlining various aspects of a job search campaign can make the difference between getting results sooner versus later.
