You may be busy networking, but if you don’t have your job search message right, you are hurting your brand. On top of this, you’ll be turning off people who could help you.
Trying to keep your options wide open has the same effect. Job seekers often identify as many roles, functions, and industries as possible for which they might qualify. This lack of focus will land you in the mental ”junk drawer” of people’s minds, and you don’t want that!
Crafting a clear job search message
To ensure your job search message is on point, there are a couple of critical questions you must be able to answer:
- What are you looking for?
- Why You?
Failure to answer clearly and concisely will lead to much time spent networking and interviewing, but little to show for your efforts.
How can you ensure your job search message is clear, effective, and focused?
Consider the four C’s: convictions, clarity, confidence, and contagiousness.
Convictions:
Coke’s core convictions are around refreshment and inspiration. Their “Share a Coke” campaign taps into this brilliantly by personalizing bottles with your name, or that of someone you care about.
You need to uncover your core beliefs about your personal strengths, your distinct value proposition, and the work environment where you most flourish. Doing so will help you establish your brand in the minds of others.
Clarity:
Clarity is essential because it frees your mind from confusion. If you’re confused about your core convictions, you’re like a pinball machine, reacting to the last thing someone told you was important in your job search.
When you have nailed down your convictions, it liberates you from trying to be all things to all potential employers. You are free from faking it, hoping to convince someone of something you’re not convinced of yourself.
One hallmark of having established clarity is the ability to say, “No, that’s not a good fit for me.” Clarity will unlock your ability to convey your brand in an articulate, unambiguous, and compelling way.
Confidence:
Being clear about what you are looking for, why you excel at it, and how you can add unique value will instil you with newfound confidence.
You can tell stories about how you have exercised your strengths in previous roles, your contributions, and why you are excited to join a new team.
Contagiousness:
Your message should be contagious. When you are passionate and confident about what you bring to the table, it’s infectious, and others will take notice.
When you present yourself as someone who knows what they want and why they’re a good fit, you’re more likely to attract the attention of hiring managers who are looking for someone with your specific skill set.
In conclusion
Networking is essential in your job search, but it’s important to ensure that your message is clear, effective, and focused.
By focusing on the four C’s: convictions, clarity, confidence, and contagiousness, you can craft a message that will help you stand out in a crowded job market.
Remember, you are as much a brand as any other well-known brand, and by presenting yourself in a clear and compelling way, you can increase your chances of landing the job you want.
Learn more
Bob is the author of Making Your Own Weather, a guide to pursuing a career that matters. Many people have benefited from the wisdom and advice so brilliantly articulated in this guide. You can learn more about it here.
You can discover more about Bob and Career Club here.
