This document provides advice on marketing yourself for career opportunities after graduation. It discusses preparing for next steps by asking yourself important questions about your goals and strengths. The document recommends not being a "lone ranger," "wishful thinker," or "bookworm" and stresses the importance of knowing yourself, your motivation, passions, and communication style. It also provides tips on writing cover letters, resumes, and selling yourself during interviews in order to stand out from other applicants.

1. LANE 462- CA-2011
I
Marketing Yourself
By: http://SBANJAR.kau.edu.sa/
Dr. Shadia Yousef Banjar http://wwwdrshadiabanjar.blogspot.com
12/9/2010 1 Dr. Shadia Yousef Banjar

2. Luck favors the well-prepared.
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3. Prepare for Your Next Steps
Where will you go after graduation?
•Graduate School…?
•Professional Program…?
•World of Work…?
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4. INTRODUCTION
•
First thing to do:
Ask yourself:
• Where do I start?
• What do I need to know?
• Who do I need to know?
• Preparation … what preparation?
• Why isn’t it easy?
• Can’t I just apply online and turn up to my
new job?
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5. Questions to ask yourself
• What type of work do you enjoy?
• What are your strengths?
•What are your weaknesses?
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6. Don’t be one of these!
• Lone ranger
Student with external support who does
not engage faculty.
• Wishful thinker
Student who persists in area despite lack
of space and/or funding.
• Bookworm
Student who seeks comfort in classes, as
opposed to research.
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7. What is it all about?
• It’s NOT all about your degree or
technical skills
• You must ‘know’ yourself first:
i. What is your motivation?
ii. What are you most passionate
about?
iii. How do you communicate? (It’s not
what you think either!)
iv. What are your career objectives?
v. Where do you want to work?
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8. Selling Yourself on Paper –The Cover Letter
• The cover letter is your formal introduction to a
prospective employer,
•a must when mailing any resume.
•Because it is generally the first piece read,
• it can mean the difference between landing an
interview and landing in the rejection pile.
•So, how do you attract the employer to read your
resume?
•What type of information do you include in a
cover letter?
•These are some of the questions you must
answer as you continue on the road to re-
employment.
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9. Achieving Interest
•To gain access to the employer, you must draft a cover letter
that is brief and interesting.
•The content should not be a carbon copy of your resume, but
instead highlight what you can do for the employer.
• It is difficult to create a totally different letter for each job you
apply for, so make it adaptable.
• In this way, you can create one basic letter that can be
adapted for each employer reading it.
• Never write a form just to be duplicated and sent out.
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10. Presenting Yourself
There are two basic types of cover letters:
1. a letter of application and
2. a letter of inquiry.
• The letter of application is targeted toward a specific job
advertisement. When drafting this letter, be certain to outline the
skills and accomplishments that best meet the company’s needs.
Some employers suggest using terms or language from the ad to
make this description more effective.
• The letter of inquiry is a marketing tool, used to gain an
informational interview from a company or to correspond with a
networking contact. These letters should be sent after you have
conducted some research on your career interests, the job
market and specific companies in your area that may be hiring.
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11. How to Write an Inquiry Letter
Here‘s what you need to include in an inquiry letter:
Introduce yourself:
In a request letter, you can just mention that you are writing with reference to a
particular advertisement.
But in an inquiry letter, give more detailed information as to who you are, where do
your work (if relevant) and why do you need this information.
What Information do you need:
Clearly mention what information you require- why are you writing this inquiry letter?
Again, it should be very clear why you require this information.
Why are you sending the letter to this specific person/organization:
If you are sending a solicited letter in response to an ad, then this information is not
required. But if you are sending an unsolicited letter to a person or an organization,
tell them why you have specifically chosen to write to them.
For example, you could say, “I believe you will be the best person to help me as you
are an established authority in the field of - - -.“
Include your contact details:
This goes without saying. Make it easy for them to contact you. Include your
telephone numbers, address, and Email ID.
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12. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope:
If you want a quick reply, (or any reply!) you need to make it
easy for the person to send it to you.
Including a stamped, self-addressed envelope in inquiry letters
will definitely increase your chances of getting a reply.
Mention that you could not find this information anywhere else:
You must show that you have done your homework before
writing the inquiry letter. State that you tried to find this
information, but were unable to do so.
Close the letter by saying Thanks:
Acknowledge that somebody will take out the time to send you
the required information, and thank them for their time. Be
Polite. It will only help you!
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13. Creating the Right Impression
No matter what type of letter you’re sending, the key is to get
the interview! Here are ten things to keep in mind when drafting
either type of cover letter:
•Write each letter to a specific job opening.
There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” letter. Each job
you apply for is different. Adapt your letter to show how you
meet the needs of a given job. Be sure to refer to the specific
job in the first few sentences so that the reader knows the job
for which you are applying.
•Describe your skills as they relate to the job.
Saying you worked for a company in a specific job title doesn’t
mean the reader will make the connection between you, your
previous job, and the job in question. It often helps to tie your
experience to your skills, directly relating them to the job
description.
•Make it personal.
Address your letter to a specific person in the company. This is
especially important in a letter of inquiry. If you do not have a
contact, call and ask for one. Also, use a comma after the
name, it’s more personal.
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14. Create a catchy opening sentence.
When people read letters, they scan them for content. Attention
grabbing first sentences—describing why you’re the best person for the
job or addressing the interests of the business—will get the employer to
continue reading.
• Include vital information.
Your name, address and telephone number (including area code) should
be easily visible on every cover letter you send out. It will be the first
thing the reader looks for when trying to contact you.
•Type and proofread your cover letter before sending
it out. Your cover letter creates an impression of you. If you make errors,
it may reflect how employers view you. If your letter is neat and
professional, the employer will believe you are too.
•Be brief.
Some employers receive cover letters and resumes daily, so they want
to know about you without having to read a lot of unnecessary
information. Use action words and active sentences to describe your
accomplishments. Your letter should also be limited to one page—
containing three or four paragraphs.
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15. Be confident, creative and enthusiastic!
Next to your resume, your cover letter is your best way to sell yourself on
paper. In addition to illustrating the benefits of hiring you, your cover letter
should also let your personality come through.
Keep a copy of every cover letter you send out.
Past letters will make your job search and follow-up go more smoothly.
Request a response or an interview.
Your cover letter is written to get you an interview, so ask for one!
Making the Commitment
The content of your letter plays an important role in your interview prospects.
So, make it work for you! DCS’s Job Search Journal, Resume Guide and
other publications are available in this One-Stop Career Center. These
publications include more writing tips and effective sample letters.
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16. Selling yourself
By email:
• broad areas of research interest
• relevant undergraduate experience
• graduate coursework (and grades)
• interactions with other students
• papers you have read
• statement of current support
• current course schedule
In person:
• keep appointments
• lose the cell phone
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17. Resume Preparation
• Employers & recruiters view hundreds of resumes for
jobs advertised.
• The presentation of your resume will make or break
your chance of getting an interview.
• You need to learn how to ‘sell’ yourself on paper first.
• How do you make yours stand out?
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18. Resume DO’s …
• Make it relevant to what you are applying to.
• Keep it between 3 to 5 pages.
• Employment history in chronological order.
• Include a technical skills matrix.
• Keep font and size simplistic throughout.
• Clearly outline sections in your resume.
• Keep language simple & straightforward.
• Check & double check the spelling & grammar!
• Ask someone to proof read & provide suggestions.
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19. Resume DON’TS …
• Send your resume to hundreds of positions.
• Provide too many personal details.
• Include the names & contact details of your referees.
• Exaggerate information on your resume (memberships, position
titles, salary, etc).
• Include too much technical jargon or acronyms.
• Ever criticise current or previous employers.
• Email resumes from work email addresses or inappropriately
named personal ones. Dr. Shadia Yousef Banjar
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20. The job application process
• Where do I start?
• Online job boards are best place including:
– www.mihnati.com
– www.arabo.com.
– www.bayt.com.
• Graduates - apply direct: find out graduate intake times and application
process
• Specialist IT recruitment companies
• Individual company websites
• Research your “ideal” employer
• Tailor application to the position advertised
• Match your experience to their criteria.
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21. The job application process
• Send a short cover letter with your resume.
• Discuss how you can add value to the organisation – what can you
offer?
• Attend an interview to present yourself as the best possible
candidate for the job.
• Feedback & follow up is important to continually revisit and
improve your approach.
• Communicate! Return phone calls & emails. Never not show for
an interview without communication – It is a small world!
• Keep track of your resume trail – where is it being sent to and for
what role(s)?
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22. Getting through the interview
Before:
• Take extra care with your appearance
and dress appropriately.
• Know the details! Exact address, names,
position titles, time for arrival, etc.
• Preparation is the key! Research and know as much as
possible about the company you will meet with.
• Be familiar with the contents of your resume.
• Have some questions prepared.
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23. Getting through the interview
During:
• Be punctual – don’t arrive late or too early.
• Greet the interviewer(s) by shaking hands firmly.
• Be polite & courteous throughout.
• Show your enthusiasm and interest for the role.
• Maintain eye contact throughout – but not fixedly.
• Listen to questions carefully & answer them providing examples where
possible.
• Don’t waffle or stray from a question – ask for clarification if needed.
• They will be watching your total performance - body language,
communication skills, appearance, ability to demonstrate and articulate
your suitability.
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24. Getting through the interview
Closing:
• Always thank the interviewer for their time & shake hands upon
leaving.
• If any aspect has impressed you, mention it briefly and let them
know you’re interested.
• Ask what the next step will be.
• If position is offered on the spot and you want it, accept it.
• If you need more time or have other positions to consider, be
honest & let them know.
• If you ask for more time, be tactful & courteous & set a timeframe
for response - making sure you do.
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25. Sell yourself!
• Put yourself out there!
• You need to stand out in a crowd.
• K.I.S.S. [ Keep It Simple, Stupid!] method– don’t overdo it.
• Communication skills are absolutely essential.
• Prepare for the interview – don’t ‘wing’ it!
• Improve on your presentation.
• Be professional, polite and courteous at all times.
• Aim to impress – be a gentleman / lady.
• Engage experts to assist as they can also “sell” you to prospective
employers.
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26. The way forward
• Remember to learn from experience & seek feedback
where possible.
• Know yourself and where you are heading.
• Be confident – but not too much. Humility also goes a
long way.
• There’s no “luck” in landing your dream job – just hard
work and preparation.
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27. Resources:
•How to win that job! Presented by Kristy Porter, Porter Consulting Group
•Business Letter Guru: www.businessletterguru.com/
•Selling Yourself on Paper – The Cover Letter, Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
www.mass.gov/dcs
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