6 ways to market yourself to future employers

The job market can be competitive and having the right skills and experience isn’t always enough to secure you the job of your dreams. You must know how to market yourself effectively to really get noticed.

To win over employers, you’ll need to prove you have an excellent combination of relevant expertise and strong communication skills.

Generally speaking, good marketing is about establishing the needs of your target audience and positioning your brand to meet their demands. It’s exactly the same for a job candidate – you must offer the ideal solution through the perfect package.

Here are six great ways you can do so:

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 1. Identify a target audience

Understand your potential employers inside out. Do as much research as possible to help identify the ethos of the organisation and the skills, personality and knowledge they value highly. Use the job description as a lead and try to work out how this role will fit into the company’s bigger picture.

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 2. Know your USP

The term USP (unique selling point) is often bandied around in sales and marketing departments in many countries. This refers to the niche factor that makes a product or brand desirable and different from its competitors. Understand your own USP — it could be your specialist training or a unique combination of past experience and personal interests. Once you’ve honed in on your USP, make sure you let future employers know about it.

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 3. Have a way with words

Your terminology can be important when applying for a new role. Understand what key phrases and buzz words are particularly sought-after by potential employers in your industry. Certain jobs in specific sectors may look out for particular skills and training. If these buzz words genuinely apply to you, use them.

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 4. Show a little personality

Don’t be afraid to add a little flair and a personal touch to your application. Nobody is solely a collection of professional skills and employers may be keen to see a more human side. Your interests, passions and personal skills will be part of the whole package — so don’t forget to market yourself as a well-rounded individual.

 5. Keep your finger on the pulse

Keep up-to-date with any developments and news in your industry to ensure your knowledge is always relevant and well-informed. Read industry publications, influential blogs and websites — you may find they help to inform your answers or provide discussion points when it comes to the interview stage.

 6. Be digitally-savvy

The web has made it easier than ever to promote yourself. Social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter now give you direct, accessible channels of communication through which to network and uncover new opportunities.