Setting up your personal marketing website Pt. 4

Can a PMW also be used for responding to ads?

Absolutely. Mention your link in a compelling email and you’ll have a surefire way to dramatically stand out from everyone else who answers an ad. The bottom line is that if you’re in the market today and don’t have a Personal Marketing Website, you will be searching with an unnecessary competitive disadvantage.

(Originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site) Be sure to check out sites from great companies like ERI Personal Marketing and SET Personal Marketing. Or visit SET’s Youtube Channel or ERI’s Youtube Channel.

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 7

Our SOAR process & how it works

Situations. Describe a job by outlining the situation when you began, making it interesting.

- Opportunities. Then describe opportunities the job presented. For example, When I joined the firm, sales had been declining for three years. I saw the opportunity to target new areas.

- Actions. Next, move to actions taken by you and others (the team). These actions are the most important part of the SOAR process, and a great place for the descriptive phrases.

- Results. Then relate what results occurred. For the R in SOAR, try to quantify the results. For example, you cut costs by $100,000 or / 20%. In administrative situations, you can measure results with statements like I did it in half the time, or the system I developed was adopted throughout the company, or I won an award. Indicate positive things you did to help your organizations. Describe how you helped your management meet their goals, and the results they achieved. Show how you demonstrated a skill or a personal quality.

Create stories that demonstrate benefits you can bring. If you successfully managed the integration of two teams following a merger, and the new business gained market share and/or costs were reduced – by all means say so. Wherever possible, quantify with dollar amounts, percentages, etc. Even an average SOAR story is better than none at all.

(Originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site)For additional information, check out Robert J. Gerberg Jr.’s LinkedIn, follow on Twitter, friend on Facebook, watch the videos or read additional blogs.

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 1

You’ll need to do more than just present your background. Don’t trap yourself by thinking, This is simply who I am, where I’ve been and what I’ve done. People fail because they never surface and communicate all that is marketable about themselves & and they never build their appeal beyond factual credentials.

Your starting point is to organize your lifetime of experiences and achievements. Whether you are a young attorney or a company president, there is probably much more to your story than meets the eye.

Experience has proven that many people never identify 50% of their own assets, simply because they’re so close to their own situation. We’ve learned that most people need to identify 10 to 20 skills that, if properly communicated, can make a major difference in their career opportunities.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 4

Identifying new industry options

If you have no knowledge of an industry but have an interest in exploring situations, extra steps are recommended. As mentioned, the easiest way to acquire knowledge of a new industry, and gain credibility for it, is to read trade publications. They will bring you up to date on personnel changes, new products, information on companies, and challenges as seen by industry leaders.

Another way to acquire knowledge is to talk with executives already in the field. In some cases you can go further by getting more formal input, attending trade shows and the like. The most radical approach is to take a lower level job in an industry in order to acquire knowledge.

During the last decade we’ve witnessed declines in many industries. However, don’t overlook opportunities in troubled industries. Executives who have worked for firms under pressure often find they can be valuable to distributors or consulting firms. Those who learned tough lessons in competitive battles can function as veterans in any industry.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 3

Identifying new industry options

The more you appear to know about an industry, the easier it is to generate interviews. Virtually all employers look for “common ground” when hiring a new person. For example, do you have experience in or knowledge of similar product lines, distribution channels, manufacturing methods or problems in their industry? There can be other similarities. Consider the scope of operations, the role of advertising and promotion, the importance of the sales organization, the influence of labor, and other items.

Naturally, the harder it is to demonstrate knowledge of an industry, the less likely an executive is to make a move into it. That rule applies to all major disciplines: sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing and operations. It is less important in staff disciplines. Here are some examples of commonplace changes:

- A marketing executive with a tobacco company joined a cosmetics firm. Why? Their methods of marketing are similar.

- The EVP of a circuit board company was recruited to become president of a firm that makes power packs. Why? These industries have similarities in manufacturing and sales, even though the products are so different.

- An executive of an aerospace company was recruited to become chairman of a small company that sells high tech services to defense contractors. Why? The key was the new chairman’s contacts and knowledge of the marketplace.

- The controller of a component manufacturer was brought in as president of a company that produces plastic packaging. Why? The similarities have to do with cost control as the #1 challenge.

(Originally posted on Robert J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 2

Identifying new industry options

The first way to do this is to read and increase your awareness of the fastest growing industries and companies. These firms have to go outside their industry to find the best talent and skills.

The second way is to list characteristics of your industries… and find similar industries. We use software to compare your industry’s characteristics with 2,500 others… e.g., 35 industries may be an 85% match.

Keep in mind that projecting some form of an “industry hook” is the next best thing to having industry experience. Group your possibilities three ways: (1) close industry hooks, easy possibilities; (2) medium industry hooks, next best; (3) far reach or stretch industry hooks.

When changing industries, you also don’t want to overlook your leverage power… the added benefits you may bring by virtue of your contacts or knowledge. You may be able to bring a team with you that helped in similar situations.

Despite our recent economic slowdown, new companies have sprung up throughout America. Established organizations are reexamining the way they do business. Medium-sized companies are expanding. New industries exist that are employing tens of thousands.

(Originally posted on Robert J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 1

Pursue the Right New Industry Options and You May Change Your Life

People should be prepared to market themselves so that they are attractive to employers across a broad range. The reality is that people of all ages are moving into exciting new industries. Transition to a new industry is easier than it used to be. Historically, people have overrated the barriers and underrated their abilities to move into new areas. The vast majority of all new jobs are created by small and mid-sized businesses. So, while major employers are still important, you may want to explore positions with start-ups or emerging companies. If you choose the right industry, you will have more growth opportunities, perhaps meaningful stock options, an environment that is likely to be more positive, a chance for more regular pay increases and probably advancement.

(Originally posted on Robert J. Gerberg‘s site)

Seven Proven Rules for Interviewing Success Pt. 6

*Are you interested in sports?

*Have you ever been arrested or convicted?

*How good is your health?

*How do you spend your spare time? Your hobbies?

*What was the last book you read?

*Have you been refused a bond? Been bankrupt?

*Tell me about yourself.

*What is your view of the political climate?

*How strong is your financial situation?

*What people do you admire?

*What kind of work environment are you looking for?

*Where else are you interviewing?

*Other offers received?

*If you started over, what would you do differently?

*How would others describe your work ethic?

(Originally published on Robert J. Gerberg‘s site)

Seven Proven Rules for Interviewing Success Pt. 5

If You Want to be at Your Best, be Sure to Have Answers Prepared to These Common Questions

*Would you classify yourself as a leader?

*How do you handle confrontation?

*How often have you had raises?

*What do you think you are worth?

*Why aren’t you earning more at your age?

*What would you like to be earning in two years?

*What were your highest earnings?

*What are the key reasons for your success?

*Who are your closest friends? What do they do?

*Are you confident about addressing a group?

*How would a friend describe you?

*What types of problems do you struggle with?

*Are you active in your community?

(Originally published on Robert J. Gerberg‘s site)