MARKETING YOURSELF

Marketing Yourself  The economy is rebounding… EVEN IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA!!!  The good jobs are hard to find…  Finding a job requires preparation, research, and persistence  Learning to Market Yourself is one of the secrets of successful job hunting.

Become the Ideal Candidate  Determine what Employers want (and you need to have)  Research the skills, core competencies and attributes employers are looking for…

Top Skills/Qualities Employers Want Top 10 attributes of the “Ideal Candidate:  Communication Skills  Honesty/Integrity  Teamwork Skills (work well with others)  Strong Work Ethic  Analytical Skills  Flexibility/Adaptability  Interpersonal Skills (relate well to others)  Motivation/initiative  Computer Skills  Detail-oriented NACE Research—Job Outlook 2006 Also desirable…  Leadership Skills  Self-confidence  Well-mannered/polite  Friendly/outgoing personality  Tactfulness  Creativity  GPA (3.0 or better)  Entrepreneurial skills/risk-taker  Sense of humor

What College Candidates Lack Employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers report that…  Students have trouble with grammar, can’t write, and lack presentation skills.  They are unable to explain how what they have done relates/contributes to the position  New college graduates do not conduct themselves in a professional manner.

1. Do your homework. 2. Get work experience 3. Be prepared. Advice from Employers

 Internet…Company Web Sites  Career Resource Center--125 Tazewell Hall and on-line:  Library  Newspaper articles  Chamber of Commerce/Government Offices  Career Fairs ∎ April 6, Noon-5PM—Interstate Career Fair, Holiday Inn, I-81/Exit 7, Bristol, VA ∎ April 12, 10AM-2PM—SwVCC Career Connection, King Community Center Gym ∎ April 13, 9AM-2PM—Bluefield State Job Fair, BSC Gym, Rt.52, Bluefield, WV Where can I Research Employers?

KEYS TO CAREER FAIR SUCCESS  Research Companies in advance  Dress professionally  Bring multiple resumes  Talk with every business/industry representative  Take business cards and company literature from target companies  Determine which companies are the best match for your career interests  Write a thank you note to representatives from your target companies

How can I find “inside information”? Try Networking

What is Networking?  Talking to people with a purpose  Process of getting people you know to introduce you to people you don’t know  Calling, meeting, seeing people  Getting to know people in your field and asking for information, advice, and help  Finding someone who has the job you want and meeting with him/her  Exploring career ideas in person, by phone or

What can I learn by Networking?  Who’s who in the company…names, titles…  Insight into the “company culture”  Company secrets and policies  Leads to the “Hidden Job Market”

How do I get started Networking?  Plan your “Info-mercial”  Start with about a 30 sec. introduction  Prepare “talking points” about your special skills, interests, experiences…what you want to do  If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, ask them what they do  Ask for their insight, advice, help  Form your Personal Career Network

Who do I know who can help me?  Start talking to everyone you know…relatives, neighbors, people in line at the movies, people you see day to day  People who know a lot of people…receptionists, hairdressers, community/business services, professionals  SwVCC Alumni, Instructors, Advisor, Career Center  My Lists (Telephone, Clubs, Church, Sports Teams, Volunteer groups)  Insiders…people who work in your chosen industry and in Companies you want to work for

What do I say to them?  Tell them how you got their name  Tell them what you want…. information, advice, referrals…  “How did you get into this career?”  “What kind of preparation is required to get into this career?”  “What advice to you have for someone like me?”  “What could a person expect to make industry-wide in this career?”

Any other tips?  Don’t ask for a job, ask open ended questions…  “Who do you know who might know anything about…?”  “What is your advice…?”  “How could I learn about…?”  “May I use your name when I contact…?”  Dress/act professionally  Offer your resume  Write a thank you note

How can I become the BEST candidate?  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF  Project an “I Mean Business Attitude”  Do your homework  Know what you want to do  Show you know how to apply your skills and abilities to the job you seek.  Practice persistence not insistence  Sell until you are SOLD

MAKE CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

QUESTIONS?????

Parting Thought “ A wise person will make more opportunities than he/she finds.”