"I will never forget the remark of a salesman ... 'Sir, I am not trying to sell you something. I am trying to find out exactly what you need.'" Paramhansa Yogandanda, "How To Be Happy All The Time," Crystal Clarity Publishers, 2006. (The author (1893 - 1952) is a yoga from India who shared his wisdom in America.)
The high-producers among salespeople are those who had learned early in their careers that sales is not about selling. Instead, it's the complex process of identifying what prospects actually need and how to provide that. No one welcomes "being sold to." Because prospects detest that they will often push back. That will be by not buying from you. Or by not hiring you. A search for work is a form of sales call.
That same mindset of a professional salesforce for pinpointing needs is how you can approach your own search for a job or work assignment.
Yes, you have to struggle to figure out what actually it is those hiring need. Next, you describe why you're the best one to fill that need and how you could do that. You describe all that in your resumes, cover letters and interviews.
For instance, on the internet you spot a help-wanted. It's posted by an ecommerce startup for crafts. The job description indicated the founder wants to hire a social media specialist to increase traffic on the website and several networks.
In that case, it's easy to read between the lines. What that founder needs is more sales. Therefore, what you provide in all your marketing materials is why you are the best one to increase sales and how you will achieve that through social media. No, your marketing materials won't simply list credentials. Instead, they will provide a story about the solution those hiring need and the key "moving parts" in how that solution will be accomplished.
To understand the labor market in more depth, a useful read is "What Color Is Your Parachute?" There is a new edition every year. After reading that career guide in the late 1970s, I was able to pivot from non-profit to profit. My compensation more than doubled. Also, I had access to amazing training opportunities.
The Future is already underway. Ghostwriting/Marketing Communications and coaching on those issues. Sliding scale fees. Complimentary consultation (janegenova374@gmail.com)
Recent Comments