In a sea of resumes, it couldn’t be harder to stand out than it is right now. While your experience screams, “Hire me!” so does everyone else’s. In today’s job world, it’s a competition about who you know, and even then, the process of getting plucked out of 300 resumes can be an impossible task.…
If you’ve spent time looking for a new job these days, then it shouldn’t surprise you to find out that, according to Harvard Business School, 65% to 85% of jobs are found through networking. That statistic was a big deal when it was released. To 99% of the population, it was like a brutal slap…
Let’s face it: the old way of job searching is a thing of the past. Answering a job ad won’t get us a solid career anymore. We must go to networking events, shape our professional brand, and prove that we’re the sort of candidate to watch.
In addition to all of these tactics though, all job seekers should have an updated work portfolio in their arsenal. Work portfolios tell the story of you, including where you came from and what you want to achieve. However, apart from the obvious benefits, work portfolios are starting to become the norm and it’s advisable for every job seeker to build one in order to paint the whole picture. Here’s why:
1. Standard resumes and cover letters don’t cut it
Resumes (as well as cover letters) won’t get someone the job on their own. Of course, job seekers need them, but the bullet points and the few paragraphs can’t tell your entire work story. On the other hand, work portfolios allow job seekers to add more to their case, such as previous career wins, specials skills and how they were used, endorsements, etc. Resumes and cover letters can only do so much, so think of work portfolios as picking up where they leave off.
Related: How To Create an ‘Alternative’ Resume on Prezi.
2. The HR department has limited time
If you weren’t aware already, human resource representatives may receive between 200 to 300 resumes per job. Who has time to go through hundreds of lines, dated objective statements, and cover letters that may or may not tell the right story? Not many.
Instead, a work portfolio not only sets job seekers apart from the competition, it does a better job of relaying why you may be right for the job by providing solid evidence as to opposed to beating around the bush about it. After all, you can say you accomplished something, but if you can show it, you’ll be in a better position to land the job.
3. Visuals catch the eye
We live in a world where images, videos, and graphics relay information better than script. Plus, with stacks of resumes on their desks, HR reps and recruiters would probably appreciate something that stands out from the norm.
For instance, if you were part of a successful advertising campaign, showing the copy, images, numbers, reports, etc., would do a better job at presenting your accomplishments than just saying you part of something that worked out in your favor.
4. Sharing current goals and progress is important
Sometimes, it’s all about what you’re working on now. Work portfolios have the ability to share current goals, as well as the progress you’ve made. This sort of real-time sharing also clues your audience in on your current projects, opens up the door for conversation, and shows how you perform on a day-to-day basis, which can tell the HR rep or recruiter a lot about what kind of candidate you are.
5. A work story means something
Your personal work story means something. It shapes who you are as a candidate and shouldn’t be an overlooked factor when applying for a job. Think of it this way: how much of “you” comes off when you send a cover letter or resume? Does it say how you work with others? Can it show what your specialities are to the T? Does it relay if you’ll fit in with the current company culture? Probably not.
A work portfolio can do all of those things since it enhances who you are as a candidate by providing the backstory your audience needs, which not only sets you apart, but also puts you at the head of the line when it comes to getting the job.
What do you think? What are some other reasons job seekers should have a work portfolio?
Related: Why Your Bio is the Most Important Career Document.
Morgan Norman is the Founder and CEO of Image credit kennymatic
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In traditional branding, the goal is to position your product in the premium segment. When you achieve this you can increase the price of the product and the demand will stay constant. In personal branding, you can do the same thing – you can become an expert.
Who is an expert anyway?
An expert is someone that knows their stuff better than anyone else in their field. When you start a job, you are likely to look up to your seniors and ask them for advice. One of these senior colleagues will be an expert, the person that basically has the best subject matter knowledge and can tell the others how to do things. An expert is not necessarily a people manager, oftentimes they prefer hone their own skills than managing others.
Whenever you see traditional titles like professor, chief architect, field marshal or anything else pompous you can expect the person to be an expert. Nowadays, you get the ‘new’ titles such as ninja or guru to denote an expert. Thought leader is another popular label used liberally across the Internet.
Some would argue that you can only earn your expert status from your customers and peers, never by simply saying that you are one.
Why should you want to become an expert?
It may sound a bit dull but there are a number of advantages to being an expert. Two of these stand out with clear benefits.
The fist one is that everyone wants to work with or buy from the person who has the reputation, credibility and knowledge of an expert. This means there is an increase in demand but not in supply; the person only has so much time to do their work. The first benefit of being an expert is that with more demand, you can choose which customers to take on as opposed to engaging with everyone.
The second clear benefit of being an expert is one of classic economics. I just mentioned that demand goes up but the supply stays the same; this means the supplier can set a higher price for their product or service. Again, instead of catering for the masses and competing on price like everyone else, the expert can choose who to work with and request a higher fee.
How you can become an expert in your field
There are probably as many ways to becoming one as there are experts out there. Some of these ways keep being mentioned and to me they are the top three. The three activities you have to be doing to become an expert are: listening, communicating and creating.
1. Let’s start with listening
Listening is the first one, by this I mean picking up information from all corners of your industry. Read blogs, magazines, books, go to seminars and workshops, watch and listen to the right programmes on TV and radio. When you listen and take onboard all that information, you will by default be improving your skills and getting closer to being the expert every day. Information is power as the old saying goes.
Related: Top 10 Books About Networking Effectively.
2. Communicate with your target audience
Communicating is all about being out there and talking to the people that matter in your industry. Whether it’s a client meeting, a networking event or you are commenting on a blog – it’s all interaction with your target audience. When you are engaging with the community, you will notice exactly what problems they are looking to solve – allowing you to adjust your service offering accordingly.
3. Create something interesting
Creating finally is where you produce content that secures you that expert status. Choose your channel wisely here according to what fits your audience. You could for instance write blog posts, newspaper articles, record podcast or produce video content. If you are really serious about becoming an expert, try your hand at writing a book. Whatever you choose to do, the results of your creative output will lead to further promotion of your personal brand and increased interest from customers.
Related: How Blogging Can Boost Your Personal Brand.
The expert’s advice
5 Kick-Ass Reasons to Boost Your Personal Brand Today.
Image credit Angelo Gonzales
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We use writing skills to engage, inspire or persuade people in our personal and work lives. In a career transition or active job search, writing skills are under sharp scrutiny. Each transition task, whether it is completing self-assessment exercises, creating a resume, crafting a cover letter or preparing additional marketing tools requires focused writing – one that is targeted, has meaning for your reader and clearly outlines your value to the potential opportunity.
STRATEGY – Focus & Purpose
Why are you writing?
The purpose of your writing must be clear. Is it request for a networking conversation? Is it to apply for an open position? Is it to share research information with a decision-maker in your target company? Give the reader a reason to read your letter!
What do you want the outcome to be?
The clearer the intended outcome, the more effective the writing. A reader typically asks, “Why am I getting this letter and what do you want me to do with it?” Invite the reader’s curiosity with compelling reasons.
Who is your audience?
Different readers make different meaning from the same piece of writing. Is it someone from within your field of expertise? Or is it someone who will not understand the terminology used from your field? Or will your writing reach people beyond your intended audience? Understand your audience and tailor your writing in content, tone and language to meet the needs of your audience.
STYLE – Organization & Design
Decide on the content.
Research the opportunity first. Second, identify and prioritize information according to importance and value to reader. Is your paragraph organized around one main idea? What kind of supporting statements can elaborate or explain your main idea? Are you using active verbs to engage the reader?
Match the style to the document.
Understand industry writing standards for your document. Each document, for example resume, cover letters, memos or addendums have unique writing attributes. Can a reader find information easily where s/he expects to find it on the document? Are profile statements or headings clearly identified? Have you emphasized your main ideas using italics, boldface or underlining as appropriate?
Organize the information.
Each document is typically divided into separate sections. Select information carefully for each section so that your writing flows quickly and easily. Use examples, charts, numbers or tables as appropriate to inform and persuade your reader.
IMPACT – Return on Investment Factor
Value Offered.
The employer has a current and potential need. Can you solve business problems now and in the future? Use information and language that is future focused and clearly links your skills to the deliverables in the opportunity. Make a business case for hiring – What will you bring immediately? Why are you the right fit? How will you be productive and engaged in the employer’s culture?
Create a Picture.
Use succinct examples to create a visual image of your success stories in the reader’s mind. Pay attention to the tone of your letter. Is it personal, courteous and positive? Does it clearly communicate benefits to the reader?
Follow-up Plan.
Close strongly. Revisit your purpose and share a proactive follow-up plan with the reader. When will you call to schedule a time to talk? What else can you do to invite curiosity? Ask for the sale!
Keep the communication simple, specific, conversational and inviting. Above all, keep it error-free.
Related: 8 Steps To Writing Your Bio Like a Pro.
Sunitha Narayanan is a certified career coach with a passion for connecting people and their talents to life and work opportunities. She is a co-active coach, empowering her clients to believe in their dreams, set actionable goals and actively create joy in their work lives. She is with OI Partners Promark Company, a firm that offers executive coaching, leadership development and outplacement services. Follow Sunitha on Twitter @sunithanarayana.
Image credit JohnONolan
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