Getting StartedGetting StartedMarketing YourselfMarketing is a huge part of selling a product successfully and the same goes for selling yourself. Landing a job is about convincing an employer of the value of your skills and qualities. To do this you need a strategic and personalised marketing plan that throws the spotlight on your employability. In effect, you have to develop a walking, talking advertisement of yourself! Good habits, 24/7 Whatever stage you are at in your study, you can generate opportunities through actively and positively affecting others in your day-to-day life. Making a good first impression with everyone you meet is a good habit to get into, so start today. First impressions How long does it take for you to form an opinion of someone you meet? First impressions can have an instant and lasting impact and others, with others quickly forming judgements about you based on first impressions. Whether the form of contact is by phone, email, letter, face-to-face or teleconference, you have to be sure you are sending out the right signals with people you meet. Phone friendly It is important to make sure the greeting on your mobile phone and landline sounds friendly and professional. When you give out your phone number on a letter, résumé or application you are inviting calls from potential employers, so be prepared! If your phone rings and the caller is not identified, it is wise not to answer the phone informally. Many interview processes will start at this first point of contact, so make it work for you. Web-based communication Web-based communication – whether through email, discussion boards, chat rooms, blogs, you name it – has become a major medium in personal and business interaction. There is no doubt the internet has changed the way we communicate. While mostly positive, the changes have confused and sometimes blurred the distinctions between public and private, personal and professional and formal and informal. The immediacy of email communication encourages a more speech-oriented mentality – one where we can fire off an email like it is a throw-away comment. The problem is that an email isn’t the spoken word – it is recorded and leaves a trace, so like a letter it can be referred to at a later date, but without the context which may have influenced its meaning and significance. For these reasons it is a good idea to follow these tips when it comes to e-communication:
Writing style: get it right Your first point of contact with an employer will usually be via a job application. Your résumé, cover letter and statements addressing selection criteria will be your primary self marketing documents, so make sure they market your skills appropriately. Job applications reflect your communication skills, how you regard the employer and your level of care and attention to detail. Applications, particularly cover letters, are examples of your writing skills and illustrate your ability to summarise and present information clearly and succinctly. For all these reasons, it is worthwhile spending the time polishing your application so that it is error-free and thoroughly professional. Composing, updating and proofreading cover letters and applications can be tedious, but the time you put in is well worth it. If possible, get someone else read your application, as another pair of eyes can often pick up mistakes you have not noticed and provide constructive feedback.
This article is taken from the 2008 edition of GCA's employer directory Graduate Opportunities
. © 2008 Graduate Careers Australia |
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