Continuing our series of getting the expert opinion leading recruiters, this week we ask Julia Purcell of Sigmar Recruitment (www.sigmarrecruitment.com ) to provide tips on ‘mastering the art of self-promotion’ for anyone on the look-out for a new job. Here’s what she said:
“So you’ve been on the job hunt for a while and you haven’t been getting much response, you feel you’ve a good CV and you’re getting called for interviews, but you still haven’t achieved your end goal of securing a job. You’re left feeling demoralised and rejected and you can’t understand why you haven’t received the job of your dream
Perhaps you need an injection of self-promotion. Self-promotion is an art and as a nation, we Irish are probably one of the worst for it. Too shy or afraid of coming across as a braggart, they say that talking about yourself is one of the hardest things to do. But to get a job or get ahead in your career, learning the art of self-promotion is one of the essential skills you will need to master. Here are my four tips to help you master it.”
1. Keep a running list of your accomplishments
One of the first things you'll need to do is to keep track of your achievements. In today's fast-paced world, we can often lose track of all the many things we are able to achieve on the job. Make a list of your key accomplishments awards you've won, honours you've been given, goals you've achieved. Consider this the historical record of your achievements. You'll want to refer to this list often if for no other reason than to boost your self-confidence.
2. Include your achievements in your resume
You'll want to include your achievements in your resume. In fact, you might want to add a special section for awards or honours. Such a section can really stand out and can help to showcase your unique talents and skills. Do not feel awkward or self-conscious about listing your accomplishments. If you don't inform a potential employer about them, he or she will never know all that you've achieved in life. By having your achievements listed on your CV, your interviewer will be able to bring these up as talking points in your interview so you don’t have to.
If you have trouble finding the time to jot down your own contributions, try asking others to create the list for you. Make a file for emails, letters, notes from co-workers and bosses and other items that reflect the good job you are doing. That way, a record of your accomplishments is easily accessible.
3. Showcase your accomplishments in your cover letter
You'll also want to be sure to showcase your achievements in your cover letter. A cover letter should grab the attention of a manager, making him or her want to meet you. If you list your accomplishments, chances are you will impress the person who's reviewing your resume and you'll be more likely to win the job.
4. Practise bragging
Have practice interviews with friends and family and get their opinion on where you can improve on selling yourself. Also by practicing you will get more used to talking about yourself, and therefore feel more at ease in an actual interview when it comes to talking about yourself.
Sli Nua Careers (www.SliNuaCareers.com ) have an online service that allows you to create a superb CV from the comfort of your own desk or home. For more details, visit www.slinuacareers.com/cv
