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Get A Better Job: Marketing Yourself

by Rod Ashley

How do people get to know about your skills and abilities?  Internally within your own organisation, there will be both formal and informal opportunities to keep people up to speed with what you are working on. Externally, within the same employment sector, make the most of professional associations, briefings within your own sector (perhaps through business clubs or local authority events for businesses) and other links which you already have.  Depending on context, it might be worth putting together a little leaflet, pamphlet or a PowerPoint presentation which you can use.

As far as marketing yourself externally is concerned, if you don’t have business cards from your employer, use compliments slip.  Alternatively, to provide personal contact details, create your own personal use business cards without your employer’s contact details or logo. 

There is always a fine line to tread between looking too eager to jump ship and indicating that you are open to new opportunities.  If you convey the impression simply that you are available to the highest bidder, you will not convey a sense of trust, loyalty or integrity.  Whatever the context, keep all communication professional, never slag off your current employer and appear upbeat, optimistic and confident. 

(See also ‘Networking’.)



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