When you are looking for a job, you need to think of yourself as a product or service that you want as many people as possible to know about. The only way to do this is to learn how to properly market yourself. Every interaction you make from the start of your job hunt until you find a job is an opportunity to market yourself to others, but you need to know how to do this effectively in order for it to work. You need to make others know why they should want to know more about you – or why they should interview you for a job.

Showcase Your Skills

When you are networking, whether at a function or online on social media sites, your focus should be on what benefits you can provide others. Sure, they want to hear about your past accomplishments, but what they are more interested in is how you can help them or how you can better their company. In order to market yourself effectively, you need to spin your past into experiences that can help you benefit the company you wish to work for in the future.

Have a Sales Pitch

Remember that you are trying to sell your skills to an employer – you want him to hire you based on what you can do for him. The sales pitch that you use to get in the door, whether at a networking event or to get past the secretary that answers the phone at a company is the first step in getting your foot in the door. You do not want a pat response, such as “I have always wanted to work in XYZ position.” Instead, you need to talk about what makes you fit for the position or what you can do for the company. Create the perfect pitch by researching companies in your industry and what they need the most.

Be Gracious

Whether you are meeting prospects in person or you are networking at a specific event, a follow up thank you note can go a long way. Chances are the person you met at the networking event that has connections in the field you want to get into is much more likely to pass your name along if you send him a quick thank you for taking the time to talk to you, than if you did nothing. The same is true for any prospective employers that you talk to – this is also a chance to bring up valid points that will make you stand out as perfect for the position.

Creating the perfect marketing plan for prospective employers and networking events is the best way to get your foot in the door much faster than any other method. Start today crafting your marketing plan and then sit back and watch it bring you more job prospects than ever before.