Actually, I got ahead of it as I was reading. I had the idea of demonstrating through your ‘incomplete record’ your own learning and development needs to get to where you want to get to. He kind of covered that as I read on.

But I seriously would take it a step further. If it was me, I’d set up a personal website/portfolio. I’d demo my value in a way that suits my likely employer (if they’re creative types, I’d be creative. If they want numbers and data, I’d show that.) But most importantly, on my website I’d detail my own personal career goals (inline with the work I’m applying for obviously). This shows where I’m going in my career with or without you Mr. Employer. And if it’s not with you, it’s with your competitor.

Then, I’d audit my own learning needs and detail what I’m going to do about it.

If you are relevant and high impact enough in your ‘incomplete record’ (or whatever means you choose to market yourself) then you’ll draw the reader on to dig up more about yourself. If they get as far as seeing this section on your learning gaps and how you’ll fix them, they’re going to think, “wow – this person comes with their own business aligned learning and development department!”

Who’d not want to meet you after that?

Thanks Robert, really useful input.

Anyone else want to share ideas to get the job you want?

P.S. Great idea too to acknowledge any truths about what you’re applying for (eg those certainties he mentions). It shows awareness and intelligence I think. If you can get the employer to nod their head when browsing your personal marketing message, then you’re on to something, obviously.

An email newsletter linking to the following caught my eye in my inbox this morning. Interested to know what you think, Mark.

http://www.jobjournal.com/thisweek.asp?artid=3017

1. the information being shared
2. the market (and their desire to receive it in this way)

If the market wants the information shared in the newsletter, and are happy to read it (the style suits too) then the newsletter would work.

Like my advice in this blog post about knowing who you’re communicating with, the same applies to newsletters. Know who your target market is and how they like to receive your information. Then pick the right tool for the job, and then measure it to see if you were right.

Checking your opt in’s vs unsubscribes gives you some idea of course..

Thanks!
Kim

Wow – that’s interesting and surprises me that someone has tackled this in a book! I’ll check it out, I’d imagine it’s more realistic than a lot of the unquestioning positive thinking stuff out there.

Totally agree – and personally I think allowing yourself to contemplate negative angles keeps your feet on the ground. It keeps you level headed. It’s useful to acknowledge reality.

Obviously people don’t want to become entrenched in negative thinking, but the key I believe is to think usefully. I don’t think your comment is too negative, I think it’s useful. Many thanks for sharing with us.

Mark

P.S. Another one that bugs me is when people try to teach people to stop being angry. There are times when anger is the natural response, and again I think can be useful to drive you to do something about a bad situation and improve the quality of your life. Obviously, if it crosses over into unuseful behaviour and you have to replace all your ornaments and windows in your house, then you went too far..

Ray.