If you want a better job, then there’s something important you need to know:
How much you get paid, the degree of flexibility and power you have at your next job, and even how your new co-workers see you and welcome you into their culture all starts NOW...
… Well before anyone at the company even has a chance to interview you.
RELATED: 3 Clues That Will Help You Find Your Dream Job
We all know that in every profession, people get paid a range different salaries and benefits based on their “perceived value.”
(That’s how valuable the company thinks you are based on multiple factors.)
And if you want to be as high on that scale as possible, then the first impression that anyone at your future employer’s company is critical.
In Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Malcolm Gladwell shows how we all “thin-slice” whenever we meet a new person and make snap judgements in the first two seconds that impact our perception of them moving forward.
Knowing this, it’s possible for you to ensure that they see you as highly valuable right from the start - giving yourself the highest odds of getting the best job possible.
It all starts with…
3 Steps To Magnetic Positioning To Get Your Dream Job
Step 1: Understand The Magic Formula
I recently wrote another article explaining the “Total Perceived Value” formula in detail - which I suggest reading as a complement to this piece. I learned this formula from a brilliant marketer named Frank Kern, and modified it so it fits you in getting a better job.
So Step one is understanding that the easiest way to create “Magnetic Positioning” and increase your perceived value is by boosting what’s called your “Intrinsic Value.”
This is the unseen value created by proper positioning. It’s what makes people pay 3x the amount for a Rolls Royce Ghost as compared to a high end BMW… even though they’re very similar cars and owned by the same company.
And it’s different than Practical Value - which is basically that the car gets you from A to B… Intrinsic Value is that it’s positioned as the best of the best. If you drive a Rolls, then you’re a success, and you gain additional status.
And this same rule applies to you when you get your next job.
Step 2: Define YOUR Magnetic Positioning
The next step is for you to define how you want to magnetically position yourself and then plug that into this formula:
Your name is known as the most sought after magic power in the marketplace. He is famous for application of magic power applied to what you stand for without what you stand against.
So here’s an example using me:
Ryan Niessen is known as the most sought after purpose-driven career expert in the job-seeking space. He is famous for inspiring people and helping them to find and get jobs they LOVE that make a positive difference in the world... so that they don’t lay on their deathbed wondering why they traded their soul for a paycheck.
Now it’s your turn. Take a few minutes to work out a Magnetic Positioning statement that gets you excited and fired up. When I read mine, I KNOW why I’m doing what I’m doing… and why it matters.
Step 3: Make Everything An Employer Might See Reflect Your Magnetic Positioning
Lastly, you want to make sure that anything anyone who might hire you positions you this way BEFORE they ever come into contact with you.
That means LinkedIn. Facebook. Your personal website. YouTube.
If a friend is referring you, make sure they have do so in a way that honors this statement.
And then, of course, use it in your resume when you do apply to new jobs.
Used properly, this has the power to significantly boost your Perceived Value, and help you get your dream job.
That’s all I can fit into this article, however, there’s more high-value info on finding the best companies to work for, getting their attention, and landing the job in this free video here.
Cheers to becoming “Magnetic.”
This post was originally published at an earlier date.Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Is your job search turning into a grind with no end in sight? It may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your entire approach.
In cold weather climates, the beginning of spring is a time to clean the house and get organized—a practice known as spring cleaning. Through the years, spring cleaning has taken on a larger meaning with people using the time to organize and declutter things in their lives.
For professionals on the job hunt, a little spring cleaning (metaphorically speaking) could be a great way to reinvigorate your job search. Here are a few strategies your job search spring cleaning should include.
Reevaluate Your Job Search Approach
Bigstock
Make a list of the last handful of jobs you applied for and see if you can identify any positive or negative trends. Consider things like:
How did I learn about this job?
How did I apply for the job?
Did I earn an interview?
What was the ultimate result?
A lot can be learned about your job search approach just by answering these questions and identifying patterns. For example:
Negative Trends
You discovered five jobs through job boards, applied to all of them via the job boards, and never heard back from any of them.
The common pattern here is applying through job boards. This isn't to say that job boards don't serve a purpose in the job search process, but they have their limitations, and you can't run your job search entirely off of them. When you apply through a job board, there's a good chance that your materials will never get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and never be seen by an actual person.
One simple fix is to research who the hiring manager or recruiter is that posted the position and email your materials to them directly.
The more efficient fix would be to take a proactive approach by putting together a bucket list of companies that you want to work for and start making connections on LinkedIn with people who work at those companies. You may already know some people who work there or have connections that can refer you to some individuals.
This is a great way to network your way onto a company's radar.
Positive Trends
You applied to three jobs via referral, were invited to two job interviews, and made it through multiple rounds of interviews for one of the jobs before being passed over for someone with a little more experience.
The pattern here is that getting referred to a job by a professional acquaintance is a great way to land a job interview. This indicates that you're leveraging your network well and you should continue to focus on your networking efforts.
The next step is to review the interview process and determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Sometimes the interviewer will provide feedback, and that feedback can be valuable. However, not everyone is comfortable with giving feedback.
Chances are you probably have a good idea about areas of improvement and the skills you need to gain. Put together a plan for addressing those shortfalls.
The good news in making it deep into any interview process is that it indicates that the company likes you as a potential employee (even if the timing just wasn't right) and the experience could be a roadmap to a job with that company at a later date, or another similar opportunity elsewhere.
Give Your Resume & Cover Letter Some Much-Needed Attention
Bigstock
Are you continuously sending similar resumes and cover letters to each job opening with only minor adjustments? If so, your strategy needs some serious spring cleaning.
The reason why it's so important to tailor your resume is that throughout your career, you acquire numerous skills, but the job you're applying for may only be focusing on 6-8 of those skills. In that case, those skills must rise to the top of the resume with quantifiable examples of how you successfully used those skills at previous jobs.
Remember, recruiters go through hundreds of resumes. They need to be able to tell from a quick glance whether or not you're a potential candidate for the position.
While updating your resume, you could also spruce up your LinkedIn profile by highlighting the skill sets that you want to be noticed for by recruiters.
As for writing a good cover letter, the key to success is writing a disruptive cover letter. When you write a disruptive cover letter, you're basically telling a story. The story should focus on how you connect with the particular company and job position. The story could also focus on your personal journey, and how you got to where you currently are in your career.
If your resumes and cover letters aren't unique, now is the time to clean things up and get on track.
Build Your Personal Brand
Just because you're looking for work doesn't mean that you don't have anything to offer. Use previous career experiences and passions to build your personal brand.
Ask yourself, "How do I want other professionals to view me?"
Pick an area of expertise and start sharing your knowledge and experience with your professional network by pushing out content on your LinkedIn and social media accounts. Good content can include blogs, social media posts, and videos.
By sharing content about your experiences and passions, you slowly build your personal brand, and others will start to notice. The content could lead to good discussions with others in your network. It could also lead to reconnecting with connections that you haven't spoken to in years, or making new connections.
You never know when one of these connections could turn into a job lead or referral. The trick is to get on people's radars. So, when you're cleaning up your job search, be sure to build a plan for personal branding.
Maintain Healthy Habits During Your Job Search
Bigstock
Your job search is important, but it's even more important to know when to pull back and focus on personal health and spending time with family and friends.
There are actually things that you can do for your own enjoyment that could help your job search in the long run, such as:
Grab coffee with a friend - It's good to engage in light conversation with friends during challenging times. And if your job search does come up, remember that most people have been through it themselves and you never know when a friend may provide you with a good idea or lead on a job.
Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the community and help others. In addition, if you develop a little bit of a career gap while looking for a job, you can always talk about how you filled that time volunteering, if you're asked about it during a job interview.
Continue to focus on other passions - Are you a fitness nut? Blogger? Crafter? Continue to do the things that bring you happiness. And if you're in a position to profit from your passion through a freelance job or side hustle, even better!
Spring is the perfect time to clean up and improve your job search so you can land the job you want. If you're struggling to find a job, follow the tips above to reinvigorate your job search—and watch your career blossom!
Need more help with your job search?
Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Bigstock
Bigstock
Bigstock
