Strategies for Human Resources

Speech: Marketing Yourself

Most of us do not think of our impact in daily activities. Yet, how you present yourself and develop your network on a daily basis provides the platform for your career growth at work and in seeking new opportunities. It is never too late to begin to think and act this way. But, it is much harder to market yourself when you really need a new job if you have not done so beforehand.

MINDSET

You are the product:

PREPARATION EXERCISES

Define what you are selling and what your market is
Think about yourself in product terms to decide what your best attributes are.

Develop 6-7 'success stories'
These stories can be used to develop your career goals, prepare a resume, answer interview questions and enhance your cover/thank you letters.

Each story should briefly tell:

Test your own self -assessments
Use others whose advice you value to help you "product-test" your self-assessments. Identify those who can help in each area.

Create a record of your achievements

Go back and create a record of your achievements with as many specifics as possible. Keep this record updated as you go forward. This helps you remember and recognize your value, it improves your ability to give your manager information on your performance, and it is the basis for your resume and job interviews.

TOP TEN PERSONAL MARKETING TIPS

1. Develop your personal introduction

In 15-30 seconds, you should be able to tell someone you meet:

Commonly called an' elevator speech' or a 'brag'. Write it out, practice it with friends, re-do it as needed until it becomes just the normal way you introduce yourself.

Example: I am a creative manager who helps organizations achieve their goals through effective human resources management. I am looking for a compensation position in a changing organization where my skills can help create successful growth and develop a flexible structure.

2. Develop your marketing tools

Your image is always a critical factor in your success. Evaluate how you present yourself regularly. Check your communications skills. Carry your business cards to meetings and events.

When you are job hunting, you should have:

3. Use your network

List all the folks you know and start creating your own network. Tell each what you are interested in, if job-hunting: what you want, and ask for their support. Keep them involved as you go along. Offer something in return periodically - information which may help them, links to articles or websites, contacts with people who might be of use.

4. Develop your connections

Get involved in internal networks in your organization, join professional organizations, join an alumni group. Contact people you used to work with and those you have helped in their job searches. Make personal connections and develop them over time. Again, keep each involved as you go along. Offer something in return - information which may help them, links to articles, contacts with people who might be of interest.

5. Attend professional meetings

Go to meetings of organizations which interest you and pick some to join. Don't just consider HR organizations but also look at those in your industry or other areas which interest you. Once you have joined those which are your best match, become active. Attend meetings and actively introduce yourself to other attendees and the speaker. Volunteer to help - work the registration table, offer to speak, write for the newsletter, run for office: all these get your name out and recognized in the profession and among search firms.

6. Start your own networking group

Ask a few peers to form a group with you to help each other in professional growth and development. Meet regularly to discuss the issues you are facing, to talk about new trends or exchange information on areas of mutual interest. Such a group is most effective if the members have some common interests but are not all in the same arena, so go outside your office or organization and beyond your current type of job to gather your group.

7. Join a job search group when you are looking for a new opportunity

Job search groups are available via professional organizations, community groups, faith-based organizations, and dedicated non-profits. These help you both in keeping your search focused/active and with leads or ideas.

Can't find one that is just right or want more help? Start your own!

8. Network every day

When you are in a job search you tend to be active at networking. But the time to build your network is NOW. Start spending 20 minutes a day in building and maintaining your network. Always give more than you expect to get. Do it by phone or email or send the occasional clipping. But do something every day. Plan steps include:

identify potential contacts (as above)
plan how you will stay in contact or re-connect with them
develop new connections
set up some way to organize and track your networking information

9. Develop a personal marketing plan

What are your career goals - short and intermediate term? What do you need to do to market yourself so as to achieve these? Develop a specific marketing plan to guide your actions and measure your success.

10. Celebrate your successes

Celebrate small steps in ways that are meaningful to you - treat yourself, put a gold star on a chart, say thanks to someone who helped. When you get to the bigger steps or achieve something you have been trying to do - tell your boss, tell your network.

MY PERSONAL MARKETING PLAN

Action Step 1

I will create/update my contacts list by _______.
I commit to contacting ____ people per workday.
I will add ___ new contacts per week.
I will give to my network generously and consistently.
I will continue to network and build my connections.

Action Step 2

I will ask the following people for help in my marketing:
Fine-tune my 'elevator speech' _____________
Help with personal presentation _____________
Help with (your issue: ) ___________
Help with (your issue: ) ___________

Action Step 3

I will investigate these organizations within the next two months
(list 3-4) for their potential to help me:

I will look at ways I can become more active in these organizations and take steps to do so before year-end:

Action Step 4

I will research options and more fully define my plan to market myself by __________________ and will put it in writing.
I will work with ___________________ to help me review my marketing plan and to report on my actions to achieve it.
From a seminar for HRA-NCA CAREER MANAGEMENT SIG.

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