Marketing Mix: Selling You

When pursuing a job one must realize that employers look for qualities in you that they would benefit from, much like the products we buy. Understanding how to sell yourself is very important in today's competitive job environment. Marketing yourself involves four parts; product, place, promotion, and price. These four P's of marketing all revolve around the customer (employer).

Product: In this case the product is yourself. You must show the employer that you are of higher quality than any other candidate, as well as offer skills necessary for the position. This may involve a full resume, showing interpersonal qualities that fit the job, or even that you have a fast learning curve. An over looked part of product is support services. These services include, friends, family, former employers, or mentors, anyone that can be listed as a reference to show that you will continue to hold the value you started with.

Place: When considering place, you want to address three major areas; location, transportation, and costs. Given the choice you obviously want to work close to where you want to live. The location of your work is very important. Transportation links with costs and are potentially the most important factors. Whether transportation is private or public, there will be some costs. The costs depend on distance and means of transportation. You want to work at a location that makes sense financially.

Promotion: In general, promotion is selling yourself. You must educate your potential employer on why you are a good candidate and why the qualities you posses will benefit their company. As far as advertising, you might say that your resume and cover letter are your personal billboards. They are the first impression of you to the potential employer (customer).

Price: Depending on the situation price can vary. You may be able to give a set price depending on the demand for you is. How ever, in most cases you must take what is given in order to make it in the market.

Overall, understanding how product, place, promotion, and price can be used to market you as a job seeker. Getting your foot in the door is half the battle. Once inside you can prove yourself, but with out good marketing you may go unnoticed.