In my previous post I made some connections between the art of selling yourself to potential employers to the marketing concepts that we have learned from COMM 296. The last base I wanted to cover was STP, then I have a sensational video to share that I originally saw in my COMM 202 Tutorial.
4) Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning: When you’re out hunting for a job, it may be tempting to apply for as many jobs as possible, aiming for volume over specialization. I argue that a differentiated marketing strategy works best (micro-marketing), rather than sending out a hundred generic resumes that show the employer that you didn’t take the time and effort to show how much you wanted the job. First off, narrow your search to the target industry, firm, or position that matches your core competencies. Research what the qualifications are, and then position yourself as the strongest candidate for the job by clearly communicating your value to the consumer (your potential employer).
It’s hard to stand out in a crowd, especially with the downsizing that the recession brought about. Sometimes, even the fact that you are perfectly qualified is not enough to guarantee you the position, as there are likely other candidates with similar education and experience. Here is a video about Erica Norris’ job application for the Ellen show: