The following post is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap:
It has been no secret in advertising and marketing for some time now that you need to know your target audience. And it really isn’t any different in a job search. You need to know who you audience is, what their needs are, and how to communicate the benefits of what you offer.
Last autumn I jumped head first into a huge conversion rate optimization project. I was doing hours of research and work to figure out everything I could about Web site optimization and conversion rates. One of the most interesting points I discovered was about communicating to your audience the benefits that come with your service, product, etc., or how the person will benefit not just selling the “features”.
I was very intrigued by this notion and how applicable it is to resume development. As a job seeker, it’s so important to know your audience and to communicate to them the value and benefits an employer will receive from HIRING you. The benefits they get from hiring you are unlike hiring any other person—you are a rare commodity. I have news for you—you ARE the only person out there just like you!
It’s critically important that your resume transparently articulates the BENEFITS you bring to the employer—because THEY are unlike any other. The best way to do this is by branding your entire resume with these benefits—not just a short branding statement at the top. The remainder of your resume needs to support the branding statement and precisely detail the most pertinent benefits the employer can expect upon hiring you. Constructing your resume in this manner produces a clear picture for the hiring manager and makes it an easier decision for him or her to interview you—thus securing you more interviews.
You can’t afford not to brand your resume, cover letter, or any other element of your job search. Pa
Author: Jessica has a true passion for the job seeker, evidenced by her desire to share everything she can with everyone she can about resume writing and interviewing.
Click Be Your Own Headhunter for info on my Job Search Seminar.Click Job Search Tips for more articles like this and Minnesota Headhunter for most recent blog posts.
Stay in touch with me by clicking:
Check out HireCast Consulting:
Great article! As I read it, I am reminded of another article I read about how your resume should tell a story. The two ideas fit hand in hand.
Your resume must capture and show the benefits of hiring you, but at the same time show why you are unlike anyone else (brand)...in a flowing story. Each previous position should demonstrate how you have growing and developing...and becoming the unique person for the position you are applying and how the company will benefit from hiring you.
Great ideas for thought.
Posted by: Eric Putkonen @ MinnesotaTechJobs.com | August 02, 2011 at 09:11 AM
To often the branding starts when a job is lost. We read a lot about recent college grads having a tough time finding the right job. Yet if you poll this group you'll find many have done a poor job in branding themselves. Just like the person who has a job, or when you start school that is the time to start the branding journey.
Older job hunters also seem to miss this opportunity. They are amazed that there is nothing uncovered about their name in a Google search.
Posted by: John Groth | August 07, 2011 at 01:02 PM