What My Job Search Has Taught Me

The new year has brought with it a new chapter in my career. One that takes place in a different city than where I had begun to cultivate a comfortable network of classmates and colleagues.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or with an existing network, looking for a new career opportunity will inevitably have its ups and downs. The main upside to this challenge is that there is always something to learn from the experience.

There is one lesson that my latest job hunt has taught me that I find particularly relevant for individuals and businesses alike; marketing is an ongoing process that requires diversification and revision to be effective.

No matter how successful you or your company already are, marketing is the one elusive area that is blurring the line between personal and business while also creating more opportunities than ever thanks to online tools like LinkedIn.

You might not define yourself as a salesperson, or think you occupy that portion of your business. The truth is all businesses are about marketing and, as an extension of the company you work for (or want to work for), you should be too.

In today's global society, we find ourselves in an economic shift that is redefining success and productivity.

Everything is so competitive that just because a company has a better product does not mean that they are going to have a better bottom line, or that the person who is the best fit for a job is going to get that job.

We live in a work culture of downsizing, outsourcing and automating; where companies are going out of business very rapidly and where doing or being the best doesn't guarantee a sense of certainty about your future.

What many people have been trained for years is now disappearing. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or someone in-between jobs, the need for a competitive edge for yourself and your business matters now more than ever. Marketing yourself has become a necessity just as timely as marketing your company.

Bottom Line: When it comes to job applications (like with any sale) you need to invest in your first impression. That can mean anything from buying a template for your resume to spending more time revising your cover letter.

And don’t forget to find differentiating ways to display your skills and interests that are unique to your strengths (like writing a blog post about it ;).

What do you think?

I would love to hear any advice or tips you've picked up throughout your career journey. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment below or message me directly!

Blog originally posted here on LinkedIn.