Communications

How To Distinguish Yourself

A professionally written resume is great, but now it’s time to think about how your communications can gain you the unfair advantage. Video e-mail is one of the newest and best options available. This technology will allow you to navigate the hiring process at an advanced level. There are a number of ways that you can communicate, some good and some not so good. We’ll talk more about options in a moment. Right now let's explore some of the basics.

First and foremost make sure you are the one controlling the message. Companies spend millions of dollars managing their corporate communications. The US Department Defense has an eight-week school that newly appointed Public Affairs Officers complete before accepting their new assignment. These companies and government agencies know that if they let the press and/or others set the tone of their message then the desired results will not be achieved. Simply stated, if you lose control of your message it is nearly impossible to recapture it. So make sure your communications clearly state the message you wish to convey whether it is your resume, cover letter, or e-mails.

The same holds true in your job search message. If you simply send a resume, go through the interview process and wait for the results you stand a good chance to miss out on the best opportunities. However if you make sure to employ a systematic marketing process that keeps your qualifications in front of the decision makers you will increase the odds of making the hiring decision yours. Rather than someone hiring you as an employee you’ll be choosing them as an employer. Here are a few ideas:

• Save The Postage For Holiday Cards
• Peer Referrals: Make a Friend Before Your Begin
• Sponsors: How To Find Them
• Turn Your Job Search Into A Marketing Effort
• Video e-Mail: Personalizing The Digital World
• Voice Mail: What Could Go Wrong

RETURN THE CALL & ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP: When you receive a reply to your inquiry ask for a phone conversation to discuss the opportunity and clarify questions. The goal is to establish a relationship. It is hard for people to say no to someone that they know and like, them knowing you improves your chances of moving forward in the process.

FOLLOW UP WITH FLAIR: Follow-up notes – we covered this in the closing out the interview discussion section - but let me say again, when it comes to making yourself stand out do something other than the typical e-mail message. If you go the video e-mail route make it is under two minutes in length. Give a brief overview of the things we discussed above, but more importantly communicate your energy. Not the psycho type energy – your real self when you are excited about something type of energy. Also keep in mind, doing this well will put you in the top 10% of applicants the manager is having conversations with.

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