This is the single most important piece of information I can share with you about your personal brand.
It will totally change the way that you approach your job search. It will change the way you write, the things you communicate and even the way you feel about your search.
And, best of all, it’s easy to do, but so uncommon that it will make you shine. Just like the rockstar you are.
Look At Everything, Yes Everything, From The Employer’s Perspective
That’s right. Let go of yourself. Let go of your ego. Let go of everything that you want.
Ironically enough, letting go of what you want is the single best way to get exactly what you want.
Let’s break it down. What exactly does it mean to look at everything from the employer’s perspective?
Well, quite simply, instead of thinking about what you want and what you have accomplished, think about what the employer wants and what they would think is impressive.
A good way to go about this is to create a profile of the perfect applicant. What would they be like, in real life? How would they interact with their co-workers? What would they have accomplished? And then turn that profile into a catch phrase. For a project manager it might be
“Stable, social and organized with a history of on time and on budget deliveries.”
Write that phrase on a piece of paper and keep it next to you as you work on your application. From the intro email and resume to the interview, be yourself… personified to that catch phrase.
Quick Check:
Is your every word & interaction supporting the employers vision? The catch phrase?
If not, rethink that aspect.
To dig a bit deeper into the employer perspective, ask yourself these questions:
How will I decrease costs or increase revenue? The reality of business is that it all comes down to the bottom line. Employers want to know how you will affect that. Look at your history, what have you done to help your companies grow? Or manage costs?
How will I affect the team? Do you help others shine? Do you bring energy to your group? Do you offer non-biased critiques? What soft skills do you bring to the table?
How will I change the organization? Do you excel at building processes? Or perhaps at tearing them down? Do you have a vision for the future of the organization? The bottom line is, find a problem you can help solve.
— And don’t forget, even with those questions, align them with your optimal applicant persona!
Changing your perspective to that of your employers is the single BEST thing you can do for you application.
