Ask yourself honestly, if you were going to shop for a stellar, top-notch player for your team, would you shop you? A simple yes or no will suffice. If you answered yes, fantastic! Read on and see if your answer is still yes at the close of today’s read.
For my retail fans, I am dedicating today’s blog to you! This includes corporate Product Managers, Buyers, Operations, Merchants, Senior Executives, HR Professionals as well as field District Mangers, Regional Directors and Store Management. Over the past few months, I have been hit with numerous questions regarding resumes, packaging your pitch for cocktail talk and interview coaching.
A common theme has surfaced…packaging you as a commodity.
Supposing you are a store…what compelling value do you have to offer? Would you shop you?
There are 5 essentials in marketing you that many retail professionals simply overlook. You pride yourself in knowing what is HOT and NOT in fashion trends however, you may be falling short of what is HOT and NOT is marketing your skills.
Pull out your resume (or advertising campaign) and examine it thoroughly using the sticking points below as a guide.
The most common questions that I ask callers are listed below. To save time, I am sharing these questions in today’s blog so that you can determine how current and relevant your resume or advertising campaign speaks towards shopping (hiring) you.
1- What VALUE do you offer to a prospective employer on your resume? Your answer should be comparable to a cocktail pitch that sums up your strengths and value proposition (personal brand).
2- What position are you seeking? If your position of interest is not jumping off of you resume in a 5-10 second glance, you need to adjust your marketing strategy. Objectives are so 1980’s. Lose them OR lose a new opportunity. What is YOUR story really saying? What is your strategy in getting called in for an interview? The most embarrassing situation for any savvy retail executive leader is to be referred for a position by a well respected industry colleague only to show up with a resume that is outdated.
3- Does your resume offer accomplishments that are value added displaying significant hurdles that you have soared over? If not, you may be settling for the 1990’s approach of simply listing responsibilities. Hey…everyone can list responsibilities…however, this does nothing for advertising what you overcame and how you accomplsihed the challenges. How did you tackle problems and produce results!
4- Is you resume current in style, flair and fashion? You may have an excellent package in your personal branding apparel, always known for being the best dressed in the meeting however, your resume is screaming last seasons mark-downs from a sample sale. *Bloggers Note: There is nothing wrong with sample sale attire as I have plenty in my own wardrobe however, you likely would not wear this on a job interview. If you are going to wear Prada, then your resume must reflect your panache on paper. If you are more of a Target consumer, then your resume should align. There is no right or wrong way of showing your personal style however, there is a right and wrong way of having your personal style align with your resume and aesthetic packaging. If you are positioning to take on a position with a classical brand, then reflect this throughout your resume with a splash of color. A little bit of mild color never hurt any monochromatic outfit.
5- Is your resume content rich and authentic? The most common misconception (from middle management and yes, even CEO’s) is “I can just have my admin person type up my resume..it’s only a piece of paper”. WRONG! Making this statement is comparable to saying, “the 2010 Fall Fashion line in the store front windows is just wool and denim on mannequins” OR “oh that stuff? It’s just a bunch of clothes on a table blocking the front of the store”. You would NEVER say that about your product so why say it about YOU? Are your authentically branded “core” list of competencies accurately assessed by a certified professional and listed on your resume?
If you sailed through 5-point check list are still feeling great about your resume (advertising campaign), likely you will land your next big opportunity! Fantastic! If you did not sail through today’s blog, congratulations on being honest with yourself. If you answered, “No” to the question, “Would you (shop) hire you” it is time to GET MOVING!
