CONFIDENCE WEEK: Introducing Confidence Marketing For Job Search
I presented a webinar a few months back to to a fantastic networking group I belong to called MENG (Marketing Executives Networking Group). If you are a marketing exec, it is a significant resource both in terms of the website content and, especially, the direct access you get to some of the smartest marketers in the world.
In that webinar, I introduced a new concept. Which is a new way of talking about a concept that has been around in some form. But I wanted to focus its light in the job search and career space. To see how it looked once exposed.
So today I’d like to get your feedback on the idea. Because I am considering it for a chapter in a new book. OK?
Here is the basic definition:
And here’s how I break it down:
“CONFIDENCE MARKETING”
The word “confidence” in this context is interesting because my head keeps thinking of the shortened version of this word or “Con”. And when you combine it with “Marketing”, I keep thinking “Con Man”. But I really like the idea of marketing yourself with confidence. Because no one else can market you as effectively as “you”. Others may be more credible (the power of a third party recommendation) but no one can sell you better. If you know who you are.
“TARGETED”
While I talk a lot about the importance of breadth in job search networking (throwing a wide enough net to make sure that everyone who should know about your search actually does know what’s happening). But it doesn’t mean that you should continue to talk with everyone. Because some people in your network are more valuable than others. Yes! In fact, you should be tracking and ranking your network to know not only who is the most influential but also who is most active (most open) in offering ideas, connections and leads. So this suggests that you target your marketing efforts accordingly.
“PURPOSEFUL”
A cousin to “targeted”, purposeful is about what you do with each networking contact. Not on impulse, but rather based on a plan of action set in motion a week or a month before. Setting goals for yourself will prevent your being overly reactive to random opportunities. When I first started this blog, it was based on an analogy of plate spinning. Which is an act of efficiency. Only spinning the plates when necessary. The purpose being to keep the focus where it is needed. As I built out the analogy, I found it is more about the value of the plate (what it can do for you) less than merely spinning the ones that are slowing down.
“UNIQUE STRENGTHS”
How do you stand out in a pile of 1,000 resumes? How do you get remembered after a networking event attended by 100+ people? How do you stay on the radar of top recruiters? The answer to all? You must clearly identify who you are, what you’ve accomplished and demonstrate relevance to the audience. And this can be a different answer depending on the scenarios above. In the end, if you look like everybody else, you will not be remembered. It’s just too hard for all of us to categorize our fast growing networks without each individual doing their part. So how do you express yourself uniquely? Click here. How do you stand out in a positive way? Click here.
“COMMUNITY”
Yes, this is a community. And it remains one after you arrive at your next great role. And in the community there are rules – both formal and informal – about how you should act. To be seen as a positive contributor. And to be remembered for the right things. In order to be a positive contributor, there needs to be a selfless aspect to your search and to your networking. You need to help others find their job. One way is to keep a Watchlyst and the other is to take a day off to help others. If you think you are in this community to steal from it. To grab what you need and run once you arrive in your new job. That would be a bad way to go.
Want to REALLY get connected? Join the Tim’s Strategy group on LinkedIn!In addition to the words above, here are a few more that help to define this idea for job search. Of course, we already covered purpose . . .
“POWER AND HUMILITY”
There is a line here that says you have to be confident, proud of your accomplishments and able to shout them out on your resume and in your elevator pitch. I am not asking you to hold back. But the way you deliver it matters. With a smile helps. And with the right amount of bravado to fit the situation.
“BEING THE PURSUED”
While you cannot always create a scenario in which you are the pursued, you can avoid appearing desperate. Notice I didn’t say “feeling desperate”. I think we all have faced that feeling when that job that feels so right is not offered to you. And you feel a need to pursue that company, recruiter or hiring manager. It’s OK to feel it, just don’t act on it. And don’t allow it to come across in conversations. Because it makes you look less “in demand”.
So, since many of you are in sales and marketing. Or have great experience so far in marketing yourself, I’d love to get your feedback. What do you think of Confidence Marketing? Good, helpful concept? Good name? Do you have a better one?
If you missed the first two days of CONFIDENCE WEEK, you can see those articles here:
Written by: Tim Tyrell-Smith
Tags: Career | confidence | ideas | Job Search | marketing | meng | recruiters | resume | Social Networking | Strategy
Categories: Keeping A Positive Attitude In Life
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Jim Kast
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