PR STARTS AT HOME
SELL YOURSELF!

Whether you’re a student, working professional or career transitional, you need a good resume, bio and photo to sell yourself. All are useful tools for networking, career moves and marketplace visibility.

Think of a resume as an advertisement for yourself; the cover letter is an “ad” for the advertisement. A plethora of resources are available online or in the bookstore; Microsoft Office templates are a good place to start.

Invest in a professional photo. While you may have a digital photo taken with your cell phone, is that the image you want to convey to the world? Pros pay special attention to lighting and other details. Remember, you get what you pay for.

A short bio is a valuable marketing tool. Three succinct paragraphs are a good start; you ultimately may have a few versions available, developed to showcase special areas of expertise. Be specific. Showcase your unique talents. Sell yourself!

Your bio is useful for company newsletters, online “about us” sections, press releases and trade publications. It’s also the perfect compliment for networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Take a look at existing material on your company or where you’d like to be employed; pay close attention to tone and manner. As a rule, today’s business writing style is brief, to the point and reflects a conversational style. In sum, write like you talk. Always use impeccable grammar; avoid slang or industry lingo that others can’t understand. All industries admire clear communicators.

Good luck as you spread the word about your recent accomplishments!

Tips:

> Always work to strengthen your personal brand & visibility: create a letterhead/ format in a style similar to your resume layout for easy tracking by hiring managers

> Use tight email subject lines and correspondence “RE -- ” reference lines, which allow for easy reading, tracking and filing

> At your at leisure, review business writing and sales sections at Barnes & Noble … build your personal development library

> Develop a strong cover letter template that can be tweaked/edited for various opportunities

> Make every word count

> Use strong, active voice verbs

> Avoid generalities and empty phrases

> Spotlight specific examples of why you’re the perfect fit for xyz job

> Plan ahead for the next opportunity

> Keep track of trends in your industry niche so you won’t be caught off guard in an economic downturn

> Get additional training

> Explore new and different opportunities (could a hobby become a side business)