Perhaps you just graduated from college and are eager to take your new knowledge into the working world and make your mark. Or maybe you’ve worked in a particular field for a while and are ready for fresh challenges. Either way, it’s important to sell your skills effectively in order to achieve your aspirations.
But given the competition you likely face, how do you even start? Here are a few tips that can help your abilities and confidence take center stage.
1. Customize Your Resume
Using one resume for every job posting may be the easiest lift, time- and effort-wise. You can create one format and fill out your information only once. However, such a resume is not apt to impress hiring managers if it doesn’t incorporate some of the role’s must-haves. Your cookie-cutter resume will leave them feeling you’re not very invested in the position they’re offering. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly important to tweak your resume for each job you’re applying for.
Fortunately, that’s not as complicated as it might seem. You don’t even have to do it manually. There are AI resume builder tools that can create new, customized resumes from your LinkedIn profile or your most recent resume. All you need to do is upload or input your data to the software and guide it.
You can have AI pull keywords from a copied-and-pasted job posting to better market your relevant skills. You can have the tool edit your existing content to optimize it for the role. Or you can do both and see which resume best suits your job application. The result? A resume tailored to the job you’re applying for without requiring you to spend countless hours making edits.
While AI is helpful, don’t neglect to read through everything to ensure it looks and sounds good when you’re finished. Check for formatting and layout to ensure you’re highlighting your most compelling capabilities. From there, it’s just about sending it off to your potential future employer.
2. Boost Your Social Media Presence
Decades ago, looking for a job was relatively simple. You could attend a job fair, hear about a role from a friend, or see a classified ad in the newspaper. And you’d probably stay at that company for decades or even your entire career. Times have changed, however, and professional social networks are now a staple tool for your next career move. That’s why it’s important to spend time putting your best foot forward on these platforms.
As with other social media platforms, professionally oriented ones like LinkedIn give users the option to post a profile photo. This gives potential employers a visual of who you are, so take your time selecting one and follow LinkedIn’s best practices. Make sure there’s ample lighting and that you’re wearing something work-appropriate. The photo should be focused on you and free of distractions such as a hectic background. You can choose to add a banner that goes along with your profile to complete the look.
Of course, your profile requires more than an attractive photo. Spend some time crafting an interesting introduction to share more about yourself, your passions, and what you bring to the table. Then start interacting on the platform to get yourself noticed. Like, share, and comment on posts that you relate to. Add your professional opinion to industry conversations that show up in your feed.
The point is to contribute to the platform and showcase that you’re an engaged user. This gets your name out there and could lead to valuable connections. Take it a step further by posting about your experience at work, a lesson you learned, or a book you’re reading. Make sure everything you post is professional and well edited, but also let your personality show. While the fruits of your labor may not be evident immediately, you’ll steadily develop a marketable business persona for future opportunities.
3. Dress for Success
Although it may seem superficial, the way you dress can impact how successfully you can market your skills. That isn’t to say that a killer outfit will land you a job — but dressing like a schlub could lose you one. Although today’s workplaces are less formal than they once were, it’s still worthwhile to create a wardrobe that conveys your personality and your professionalism.
Luckily, this needn’t cost you a fortune. Start by looking in your closet. If you’re lacking anything in particular — a white dress shirt or well-fitting slacks — jot those down. Then keep an eye out for sales at your favorite stores to stock up on long-lasting basics that can be used in multiple ways. For example, that white button-down could pair well with jeans for casual days or be teamed with a skirt for a presentation.
New clothes aren’t in the budget? Don’t fret: There are plenty of options that can give you a confident look. Consignment shops — either brick-and-mortar or online — are excellent sources of high-quality garments at reduced prices. Clothing swaps among your likewise striving friends are another way to obtain professional pieces. Focus on working with your existing items and use these low-cost methods to fill in the wardrobe gaps when it works for your budget.
Business world advice givers say you should “dress for the job you want.” That’s a solid way to market yourself because you’re quite literally showing your confidence through your clothes. With that self-assurance on your side, you’ll likely find it easier to sell your skills.
Onward and Upward
It can feel awkward when you’re trying to sell people on anything. And when that something is yourself and your skills, that reluctance can become even more acute. Mentally, digitally, and physically setting yourself up for success can make all the difference. Investing your time and effort into marketing yourself now will pay dividends in the future. You just have to get started.
Follow Techdee for more!