Marketing yourself: getting it right
Whether the form of contact is by
phone, email, letter, face-to-face
self-marketing tips
t!
or teleconference, you have to be
o
r i
sure you are sending out the right
• Relax and use positive body language
GO f
signals with people you meet. • Be prepared for ice breaker statements,
such as “Tell me about yourself?”
• Don’t chew gum or cover your face/
of care and attention to detail. Composing,
mouth with your hand or mumble
updating and proofreading applications can be
tedious, but the time you put in is well worth it.
• Communicate with interest
Applications, particularly cover letters, are also
• Always speak politely and positively
examples of your writing skills and illustrate your
• Ask and remember names
ability to summarise and present information
clearly and succintly. For all these reasons, it is
• Don’t slouch or sit with your feet on
worthwhile spending the time polishing your
chairs
application so that it is error-free and thoroughly
• Shake hands firmly and long enough to
professional.
notice eye colour
It is also good to have someone else read your
• Turn the technology off (mobiles, iPods
application, as another pair of eyes can often etc.) when talking to someone
pick up mistakes you have not noticed and
• Wear professional attire to interviews
provide constructive feedback.
and to any ‘informal’ meetings with
Your email writing style should be just as
contacts or mentors
professional as other written correspondence
• Be mindful that information you put
– even though a potential employer may
about yourself on a public area of the
respond informally, you cannot assume anything web -- i.e. on a MySpace profile -- can be
so it is best to keep to a formal style. viewed by anyone
Oral & interpersonal style
• Be an active listener -- follow what the
It is important to make sure the greeting on your
person is saying rather than thinking of
what you are going to say next
mobile phone and landline sounds friendly and
professional. When you give out your phone
• Keep your writing style formal in e-mail
number on a letter, résumé or application you
correspondence. Even if a potential
are inviting calls from potential employers, so
employer responds informally it is wise
be prepared! Many interview processes will start
to retain a professional and formal style
at this first point of contact. Your email address • Smile!
also sends a message to employers, so keep it
professional (i.e. ditch the wildchild@yahoo.
com).
Article by Lee Miles, Career Advisor/Work Experience
Coordinator, Edith Cowan University
www.graduateopportunities.com | 21
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