|
I guess the operative word in my message to you is -- Homework.
You stated. "But every time I try to sell my skill set, there seems to be a
ready made excuse to discount it." It is likely that they have no need for
the skill that you are 'selling' them so you need to find out 'What skills
do they need?"
Everyone listens to the same radio station "W I I on the FM dial"... in
other words "What's In It For Me". When a company is looking for a new
employee they are actually looking for someone to satisfy a need that THEY
have. Ergo, it is up to you to discover what that need is and to position
yourself to be THE solution to the problem.
Companies have a sea of resumes to sort from and do not have all the
resources to sort through all of the resumes piled on a desk. They barely
have time to make a "first opinion" or perception of each candidate. To be
successful, YOU need to help them discover why you are the one and only.
This comes from:
1. Understanding what THEY need.
2. Being prepared to tell
them how YOU will address that need.
3. Helping them understand HOW you will fill the need.
Focus on how THEY will benefit from your employment... not how YOU will
benefit.
HOMEWORK!?!? Do your research... get online.. go to their website, try to
read between the lines of the placement ad to discover what they are doing,
technically, and how you can help them accomplish THEIR goals. If you get
to an interview, ASK QUESTIONS about THEM. A good interviewee will
listen more than he talks.
Target your resume to highlight the skills that you have that satisfies
THEIR requirements. It's great that you have MVS/VSE experience but, if the
company isn't looking for and MVS/VSE programmer.. don't bring it up unless
they ask and then briefly answer the question and ASK if that will be a
skill that will help THEM.
Resume tips:
Include a section for "technical skills" at the top of your resume and
include some buzz words for your potential employer.
Drop the number of years for each skill.
Tailor your resume to address each position in which you apply for.
The more homework you do, the better you will be prepared and the better
your chance of success.
Your skill set gets you the interview but its your preparation that gets the
offer...I guess that covers it.
==================================
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC
==================================
Search400.com's targeted search engine: Get relevant information on iSeries careers.
Check out the iSeries Career Center: Career resources.
And check out this Featured Topic: Career issues.
|
