A PERSONAL MARKETING PLAN IS AS EASY AS

THINK ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FUTURE

PRODUCT ANALYSIS - Remember the product is you!

- What do you value? What are your strengths?
Self-assessment is the key to this process. If you are unsure of your strengths, a good place to start is by creating or reviewing your résumé to see the skills you have developed and what you have done. An assessment may also help to clarify your strengths. Career Beam is an online self-assessment that helps identify strengths, values and skills.

MARKET ANALYSIS

What employers are looking for those strengths? This is your target market.
- What do employers value? To answer this: Look on JobShop (www.brockport.edu/career).
- Research the want ads to see what employers are looking for.
- Attend the job fairs and speak with the employers.
- Use the Career Connection (www.brockport.edu/career) to find alumni working at area companies to ask them about the culture of an organization.
- Conduct informational interviews (this is not asking for a job, but seeking information about a company or a particular job).
- Visit the Career Resource Room and use the books, magazines and newspapers to research companies.
- Use the Internet. Most companies have a Web page with their current job openings.

TAKE THOSE THOUGHTS AND BEGIN TO ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS INTO A PLAN

Promoting a Product: YOU
- Develop a résumé emphasizing your transferable skills along with a cover letter.
- Network (see networking tips on this page).
- Develop and practice your interviewing skillS.

TRANSFORM THOSE PLANS INTO REALITY

Developing Yourself as the Product and Closing the Sale To Make Yourself Marketable:
- Do an internship and gain valuable experience.
- Find a part-time job that gives you valuable skills that are easily transferable.
- Attend workshops that enhance your education.
- Accept leadership positions-get involved.

Career Services can help with each of these stages of a job search. For more information, stop by our office in Rakov Center.

YOUR ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL A job search is based on the concept of marketing yourself as a product. To improve your chances of creating a favorable impression, practice making a one-minute commercial. The “commercial” is a verbal overview of yourself. Use the following format to produce a commercial for your use at job fairs and during networking events. Politely introduce yourself, shake hands and smile. Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and industry. Explain what you can offer by highlighting your major skills/strengths. Express your interest in learning more about the organization by asking a direct question.