Get picked for your dream job by following these practical tips.
1. Establish your voice: Pitching your relevant opinions and values is part of creating a name within the industry. Many employers use social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn to listen to and digest content. You could post about some of the latest issues being talked about, express an opinion about some research or comment on what your business is achieving. Consider your audience and how you want to be viewed, and have courage in what you are saying.
2. Experience the dream: Reality wakes us up. Dreaming is not actually doing and, if you are passionate about your next step then the best way to ensure you understand it fully is to go and see what it entails. Consider a secondment, some mentoring from someone that is currently in the position or volunteer. Not only will it inform your opinion but may open your eyes to all the parts of the job there are. It will also position you as a serious contender with experience.
3. Shine with your application: Focus and demonstrate. These are the key ways to ensure your application stands out. Keep referring to the job specification, demonstrate your relevant and transferable skills, use the right keywords and be results focused – in marketing you must show the value your campaigns delivered by crunching the audience numbers and conversion rates. Be 'out and proud' about any industry awards you have accrued and highlight the successes of the companies you have worked for.
4. Follow up: Allow the recruiter time to perform the necessary assessments but if you haven’t heard after two weeks then give them a call. An employer wants to know you are keen and willing. Offer to attend a further job assessment day or provide proof of the work you have done to date. A good way to handle an indecision is to suggest you meet for coffee - a vote to hire may come down to a simple choice between two candidates and this is a way to show your impressive interpersonal skills.
5. Find your niche: What’s your key strength? Is it your connections, your success with marketing campaigns, your industry knowledge of the area you work in, your interpersonal skills or your ability to land a deal? Know what it is and polish it so that you make yourself irresistible. Being known as the ‘best’ in a particular area is a great way of opening doors, it might be that you feel you want to branch out so prove that you can multitask and be just as talented in other areas.
6. Highlight what you can bring to the party: Go armed with ideas about what you think you can add to the company in which you wish to work. Is there a campaign or marketing idea you can share? This will show that you have not only researched the clients the business has but that you can bring 'value add' in the shape of fresh ideas, creative thinking and solutions. Mocking up an idea on a mood board or via a PowerPoint is a great way to demonstrate that you are aligned with their values and understand the business.
7. Never stop learning: Marketing is an evolving industry. The rate at which digital content is digested and via ever more channels shows the fast-paced industry you are part of. Keep abreast of all the latest thinking, be part of those conversations on social media platforms, connect with the right people and understand where things are headed. Attend keynote speeches, speak with industry coaches and learn from senior leaders.
Landing your dream job is a life goal and if you are passionate, willing to learn, explore and gain the relevant expertise, it is possible to achieve it.
