I often tell clients that having a professional profile is a major key to the job search. When applying for jobs, seeking advancement, or even maintaining your professional self it is advantageous to take a moment and review the items you?ve created to represent you. When starting, consider adding the following to your collection: a resume, cover letter, and brief statement about the professional you?an elevator pitch.
As you move along your career trajectory, it is expected that you will gain new experiences and new skills, and maybe a new perspective on the life of your career. Ensuring that your professional profile is inclusive of all the pieces of your career plan (where you?d like to work, what you?d like to do, what types of skills you have and how you?d like to use them, in what environment you?ll thrive, etc.) is vital in not only helping you to articulate your experiences and qualifications to a connection or prospective employer, but to also help you in times of evaluation and improvement.
Resume
Your marketing tool?it?s what gets you an interview. A resume highlights the most relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and training you have for a particular sector or agency. It is a persuasive piece of writing which is constantly evolving as you embark on new experiences. The resume, although subjective, is expected to include some specific information about you as a professional: where you?ve worked, what you?ve done, your accomplishments, who you?ve worked for and with, the length of time of your experience, skills you?ve gain, etc. It is also expected to be devoid of certain information that is excessive and too person (or illegal to be requested by an employer according to Labor & Employment regulations in your state). To sum it up: this document is a professional snapshot that presents your brand to employers who are shopping for the best fit for their organization.
Cover Letters
As defined by Purdue University?s Online Writing Lab, ?A cover letter introduces you and your resume to potential employers or organizations you seek to join?It is the first document an employer sees, so it is often the first impression you will make.? The cover letter is a business letter that includes demonstrated examples of the match between your qualifications and the job description. Not only does this document highlight important elements of your background, it persuades the employer to read further and view the resume.
Elevator Pitch
The ?Elevator Pitch,? also known as the 60 second commercial, the elevator speech, branding statement, or your unique selling proposition; is a brief statement that discusses your skills, qualifications, and other characteristics that market your professional trademark to a possible contact or prospective employer. This statement usually includes, information about you (current position, company, education), who?s involved (clients, stakeholders, community, vendors), and your accomplishments (compelling facts that can connect you to the listener).
Connecting the Dots
These pieces of your professional portfolio represent your brand: your reputation as it relates to your professional identity. In all three areas, highlighting your skills?transferrable skills, in particular, is key to persuading the listener towards interest. The ability to articulately and professionally speak about what you know can put you one step closer to landing a job!
About the Author: Emerald Templeton, MS is a Counselor Educator with a background in college pupil personnel and career counseling. She is actively involved in several professional associations, community volunteer projects, and faith-based service programs which promote access to education, personal and professional development, and support for the disenfranchised.
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