How to Sell Yourself - Legally That Is!

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

SEPTEMBER 18, 2007

 

HOW TO SELL YOURSELF – LEGALLY THAT IS!

 

I.                   To sell:  to develop a belief in the truth, value and desirability of; to influence to a course of action or acceptance of something.  To effectively sell, you must know the product:   YOU.

II.               Career Development Wheel:

a.      Me:  Identify my interests, values, motivated skills and personality styles.

b.      WOW (world of work):  Explore areas of interest.

                                                              i.      Internet

                                                            ii.      Informational Interviews – talk to people doing the work you think you want to do

                                                          iii.      Networking- be clear about how your contacts can help you. 

                                                          iv.      Create a sound bite:  who am I; what I’m good at; my goal; how you can help (information, career advice, referral to others, etc.)

c.       Goals:

                                                              i.      Short term – education, related work experience, financial, etc.

                                                            ii.      Long term – this is where I’m ultimately headed; my target

d.      Marketing

                                                              i.      Résumé – purpose is to get you the interview

1.      focus on accomplishments and outcomes

2.      lead with verbs

3.      say enough but be brief

4.      one page unless long work history, then two pages o.k.

                                                            ii.      Cover letter – show how you are a job match

                                                          iii.      Interviews

1.      do your homework about the company

2.      review your resume; create anecdotes

a.      STAR – situation; task; action; result

3.      create questions

4.      ask for the job

5.      write a letter of thanks

                                                          iv.      Negotiation of salary and benefits

1.      www.Salary.com; www.PayScale.com; www.MonsterTrak.com

2.      Only talk salary when the job has been offered

3.      Use silence to your advantage

III.            Footnotes:

a.      Bragging vs.  Being Smart:  let others know of your good work to develop/maintain your career

b.      Mommy track:  stay connected; attend conferences, take classes, work part-time, etc.

c.       Older workers:  increasingly important source of talent; flexible work options will increase

IV.             You have two jobs:  one is to develop your career!

V.                 A DREAM WITHOUT A PLAN REMAINS A DREAM – YOU NEED BOTH!

 

Some Favorite Resources:

 

Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want, Barbara Sher

Find Your Passion,  Arnie Warren

What Color Is Your Parachute, Richard Bolles

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was:  How to Discover What You Really Want & How /To Get It, Barbara Sher

In Search of the Perfect Job, Clyde Lowstuter

Résumé Magic:  Trade Secrets of a Professional Résumé Writer, Susan Whitcomb

The Résumé Catalog:  200 Damned Good Examples, Yana Parker

Cover Letter Magic, Susan Whitcomb

Cover Letters That Knock ‘Em Dead, Martin Yate

Winning Job Interviews:  Reduce Interview Anxiety/Outprepare the Other Candidates/Land the Job You Love, Paul Powers

Job Interviews for Dummies, Joyce Lain Kennedy

201 Best Questions To Ask On Your Interview, John Kador