Self-Promotion Strategies for Your Job Search (Part 4) | Advancing on the Job Series

Self-Promotion Strategies for Your Job Search (Part 4) | Advancing on the Job Series

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Self-promotion is the subtle art of marketing yourself.

In this 4-part series, we’ve already explored a wide variety of related topics—why it’s important, how to overcome the fear, and how to use it for internal career advancement. In this final article, we’re addressing one of the most important aspects of all: how to leverage self-promotion in your job search.

For job seekers in particular, this an absolutely essential element of success. After all, you’re out there trying to “sell” yourself. Without engaging in at least some self-promotion, that’s a tough task.

On the other hand, the people who have mastered this skill are generally able to make job changes much faster. They enjoy strong reputations in their field and can quickly activate their network to help them transition seamlessly. They know how to leverage their past successes to create future opportunities.

Of course, if you haven’t done it in a while, or if you’ve considered self-promotion a “bad” thing in the past, it can be hard to know where to start. How do you talk yourself up without turning people off? Better yet, how do you do it in a way that sparks real interest and inspires authentic, productive conversations?

Regardless of where you are in your job search, consider implementing the following self-promotion strategies right away. Even if you’re not currently searching and don’t plan to anytime soon, you never know what the future will bring. These activities will set you up for success if and when you find yourself back in the market for a new job.


Also read: How a Career Audit Can Prepare You for Your Next Job Move


Share Your Expertise Online

Self-promotion is all about getting your message out there in a way that is valuable to others. When you establish yourself as an expert in your field, prospective employers will compete for a chance to speak with you. Exciting opportunities may even come to you unsolicited.

These days, we have more opportunity than ever to build visibility, authority and credibility with the help of online tools. Try writing an article about a particularly fascinating component of your field. Share your unique point-of-view and discuss how your experience has contributed to it. Above all, provide value to the reader. Then, post your article on LinkedIn or your personal blog and share it on social media. See what kinds of conversations you can start.

By providing frequent, high-value content online (whether in the form of articles or simple status updates), you can quickly become known as a “go to” resource in your area of expertise. This not only looks compelling for prospective employers who may be researching you online; it also expands your reach, allowing you to create a global network of contacts and potential job leads.

Be a Resource for Your Network

Having a large network is great, but you must remember to nurture these relationships. Otherwise, people can quickly forget about you. The goal is to stay “top of mind,” which can only happen if you make regular efforts to stay in contact and engage in meaningful communication with people one-on-one.

Ideally, you want to be a resource for your network. When you read an informative article and think it would be useful to one of your contacts, share it with them. Offer to make introductions for others. Ask people about their career goals and what you can do to support them.

To be blunt: don’t expect others to help you if you haven’t helped them first. Your network is only powerful when the people in it know, like and trust you. That only happens when you show a true interest in them and their success.


Also read: 6 Ways Your Job Search is Like a Marketing Campaign


Focus on Accomplishments

Finally, let your accomplishments take center stage. The things you’ve achieved in the past are your ticket to the future. Take time to craft your accomplishment “stories” in a way that is compelling, concise and informative. Then, share them liberally—in your resume, LinkedIn profile, job interviews, etc.

Hiring managers and recruiters want to know you can do (and have done) what you claim. When you share accomplishments, you’re offering proof of what you’re capable of. It’s self-promotion based on fact, not perception.

With a little effort, these simple self-promotion strategies can help you land a new job faster and easier than ever before. The opportunities are practically endless. All you have to do is put yourself out there.

We hope this series has inspired you to try a few new things in your career. Our goal was to break the preconceived notions so many people have about self-promotion, and provide a fresh new perspective along with real-world strategies you can implement right away. If you’ve been following along, you’ve gained a ton of insight. Now, it’s time to put that to use. Get out there and make a name for yourself.


For Further Reading on Career Advancement
Check out the Advancing On The Job Series


Chrissy Scivicque
About the Author
Chrissy Scivicque

Chrissy Scivicque is a career coach, corporate trainer and public speaker who believes work can be a nourishing part of the life experience. Her website, Eat Your Career, is devoted to this mission. Chrissy is currently a contributing career expert for U.S. News & World Report and the author of the book, The Proactive Professional: How to Stop Playing Catch Up and Start Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life!), available on Amazon.

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