8 ways to make yourself more marketable

Whether you are job hunting or aiming for a promotion, there are things that you can do now that will make you more marketable to any employer. Here are surefire ways to make yourself more marketable.

Tip #1: Write your human-voiced resume

Use the language of your resume to bring out your personality and power across each page. Boost your resume with numbers wherever you can. Use numbers to help readers visualise your achievements in tangible ways. For example, instead of saying that you managed a team, say that you managed a team of 40 people for four months. Data illustrates your experience and expertise. Otherwise you’re just listing a bunch of responsibilities which you don’t really want to do.

Also, refine your resume to meet what your employer is looking for. If it’s your current employer, what does he need most, what are his pain points? Managers favour employees that help them solve problems.

Tip #2: Supercharge your LinkedIn profile

Brand yourself on LinkedIn according to the specific position that you want. Write a blog or post about something that you care about. This will help you to grow your thought leadership and credibility.

Ensure that your profile photo shows you looking powerful and capable. Have a professional clean background, good soft natural looking lighting (because this make us look more flattering) and smile. Smiling may not seem to coincide with power, but you will be surprised how a confident smile can make you appear more competent and sure. Plus, people are more attractive to a smiling face, even potential employers.

Tip #3: Become active in a professional society

Join a professional society where you can network with other people in your field. This will help you to gain more visibility and confidence. Create your own business cards to pass out to new people that you meet at networking events and trade shows.

Then take it a step further and get active in your new community. Volunteer to assist with or participate in their events. This is a great way to network in a more personal way with other employers. They also get a chance to see you in action first-hand.

Tip #4: Create a portfolio of your most important work

It does not have a be a physical portfolio. Many people are finding it easier to showcase their portfolios online. Potential employers can easily view your work without the hassle of meeting up or your delivering a physical one to them.

You can create a personal website which showcases your portfolio of your most important work for as little as $4 per month or for free if you use WordPress or Wix. If you are a manager, or you do something non-graphic, write blogs, upload professional articles you wrote that were published, or write about the events you have managed. You can populate a website with practically anything. Be creative and let your imagination guide you.

Tip #5: Build a strong social media presence

Use social media to build your brand. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are good options. Having a strong presence will help you get spotted by recruiters. Post regularly and stay active. Post about that new job that you just started, that conference you just attended or looking to attend, or that online event you have just created. Be a valuable source of tips or industry related information that others will appreciate.

Also, ensure that your profile has a professional look. Remember this is not your dating profile.

Tip #6: Demonstrate your soft skills

Soft skills are always in fashion. In addition to technical skills, soft skills such as your ability to work in a team, problem-solving, conflict resolution and influencing skills will always be valued by employers. These skills will also help you to stand out from the competition, especially in the case of a promotion.

In job interviews find ways to demonstrate that you possess these skills and explain how you have used them before. For example, instead of simply saying that you are a team player, give an illustrated example through a brief and poignant story of how you demonstrated this in the past.

Tip #7: Gain management experience

While this is easier said than done, it is not impossible. And you don’t have to be in a management position to gain leadership experience. This is where your membership in that professional society comes in handy. Take charge of an event, create a new one or take up a committee position. Seek opportunities to gain some management experience and have a spirit of volunteerism. Don’t be shy or too picky. Start small if you must and work up to more responsibilities.

Tip #8: Acquire new skills or knowledge

Look at job postings in your target industry and see what sort of qualifications and experience employers want. There has never been a time when gaining new skills is easier. There is a wealth of online certifications and self-paced courses available at affordable prices, and some are even free. Adopt the mind-set to always keep learning and be on the lookout for a new skill to learn.

Which tip did you find most useful? Let us know what you do to make yourself more marketable.

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About the Author

Taneallea Feddis,

Founder/Managing Director, BlackWall Consultants

She is an educator, website designer and content marketer.​ She helps entrepreneurs develop their business through coaching and developing their digital strategy. She is passionate about teaching new skills to others, and her goal is to encourage and assist Caribbean businesses with their digital transformation and sharing in their success stories. Click here to learn more about Taneallea Feddis.