Sell Yourself for Career Growth
Jide Awe
February 16, 2010
In our desire to live fulfilling and meaningful lives, the search for opportunity can be quite a challenge. Sell yourself, because promoting yourself is essential for career growth. In my interaction with students and professionals, as well as in my own work experiences I have noted several factors we should consider in order to effectively communicate our value. Here are some thoughts of selling ourselves.
1. No point Spending without marketing
I come in peace, but does it make sense to spend so much on training and certification and yet be unable to market yourself? Selling yourself is essential to seize the opportunities we desire. Without opportunity what is it all about? Training and certification may confer advantage but they don´t guarantee anything. Opportunity comes from your ability to convince others that you can add value and deliver results.
2. Is focusing on the Technical alone right?
Many of us focus on our Oracle and Microsoft skills and neglect selling what we have. Opportunity is more than your tech expertise. Your tech skills and training decisions are important, but if you can't MARKET YOURSELF, getting opportunity will be an uphill task. Do prospective clients and employers know the unique value proposition your offer? How effective is your marketing communication?
3. Selling yourself is not just about you.
The opportunities out there are bigger than you. You have career goals and plans. But your personal ambition is secondary if you desire opportunity. Matching the needs and wants of the client or employer should be the primary concern. Any opportunity is a problem waiting to be solved or a solution searching for a provider. Market yourself by highlighting your benefits and showing how you will solve the problem or provide solutions. You achieve your goals by meeting the needs and wants of the opportunity provider. If Company A needs a Web developer it won´t employ your services out of sympathy because you have been out of work or simply because you are a Web developer. The job is not about you.
click the following links for the full article and related content
Sell Yourself for Career Growth
IT Experience for Newcomers - how to get a Job in IT
Free IT Career Seminar
1. No point Spending without marketing
I come in peace, but does it make sense to spend so much on training and certification and yet be unable to market yourself? Selling yourself is essential to seize the opportunities we desire. Without opportunity what is it all about? Training and certification may confer advantage but they don´t guarantee anything. Opportunity comes from your ability to convince others that you can add value and deliver results.
2. Is focusing on the Technical alone right?
Many of us focus on our Oracle and Microsoft skills and neglect selling what we have. Opportunity is more than your tech expertise. Your tech skills and training decisions are important, but if you can't MARKET YOURSELF, getting opportunity will be an uphill task. Do prospective clients and employers know the unique value proposition your offer? How effective is your marketing communication?
3. Selling yourself is not just about you.
The opportunities out there are bigger than you. You have career goals and plans. But your personal ambition is secondary if you desire opportunity. Matching the needs and wants of the client or employer should be the primary concern. Any opportunity is a problem waiting to be solved or a solution searching for a provider. Market yourself by highlighting your benefits and showing how you will solve the problem or provide solutions. You achieve your goals by meeting the needs and wants of the opportunity provider. If Company A needs a Web developer it won´t employ your services out of sympathy because you have been out of work or simply because you are a Web developer. The job is not about you.
click the following links for the full article and related content
Sell Yourself for Career Growth
IT Experience for Newcomers - how to get a Job in IT
Free IT Career Seminar
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