4 Pillars of Career Messaging
Have you ever noticed there’s always more to tweak on your LinkedIn profile, website, or job search docs? I’ve coached 250+ job seekers, solos in the last 2 years – people want their accomplishments, skills, expertise to be seen and known. Yesterday I heard that someone had a 7-page resume. I get their pain.
How can you stand out?
In this busy world, attention span is limited. There is the challenge of wanting to flood readers with info about you, knowing that they don’t have much time.
To make the messaging compelling, it’s important to hit these four areas:
- Relevance: What are current needs and challenges in the field of interest or for your target audience? How can you help? What are the top 3 things you can address for an employer or client?
This begs for research, a bit of networking, and/or social media posts inviting conversation. Find out, draw the connection between your expertise, skills/traits needed, and represent that in your outreach. It engages the reader, making it easy for them to understand the value you offer.
- Competence: Show your approach and motivation for the subject or problem to be solved. When we express with a knowing and confidence, people listen. From this POV, let your audience know that you are capable.
Focus on impact, accomplishments, and training. Especially when you have longer work history, feel free to describe projects, results, client benefits, and insights, instead of lengthy job descriptions. - Uniqueness: At work or in life, what do people come to you for? Why? We all have a way of being and doing things. Take a moment, recall how your presence and disposition is special. There are many coaches or project managers – what makes your work different?
For example, when I worked in universities, people came to me for programming ideas and vision. They appreciated my warmth and sense of fun, which would attract more student participation. - Authenticity: As people experience your messaging, they want to know that you are genuine. If you claimed to be a hard worker or a leader, how have you represented it in your documents, pitch, and materials?
Bonus – post on LI, write articles, volunteer, have hobbies that resonate with your claim. Testimonials or recommendations on LI offers additional support to your messaging as well.
Work with me if you need coaching to clarify your 4 Pillars – request a free Spark session to see our fit.
Anything else that can make your messaging compelling? Connect with or follow me on LinkedIn to comment on this post.
To your manifesting,
Sue
WHAT’S NEWS
Play with Your Brand, Tue, Apr 2, 7pm ET. I’ve coached many on career messaging and thought it’s fun to hold a container for exploration. Bring your practice/idea, explore your brand positioning, personality, promise, story, and associations. Create/refresh your profile and tagline. For practitioners, even job seekers and career builders. Interactive; not recorded. Register
CHECK THIS OUT
Calmfidence: How to Trust Yourself, Tame Your Inner Critic, and Shine in Any Spotlight What a cool book! Philosophical and practical. Patricia Stark offers POVs and worksheets to boost readers’ self-presentation. From public speaking (i.e. piping up in line at Starbucks, giving a speech) to interviewing.
