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The Changing Face of Insurance: Selling Yourself in the New Employment Marketplace
Contributed by Martin E. Murphy, CPCU
With an influx of millennials in the workforce and baby boomers continuing to work after traditional retirement, the definition of career management is evolving. Hiring managers aren't looking for the same skill sets in potential employees that they were 10 years ago. In today's marketplace, managing your career doesn't only mean doing your current job well. You must also incorporate an array of professional development techniques into your career management plan.
Professionals must focus on career security and employability, not just job security. Why? The level of employee/employer loyalty is declining. Jobs are no longer for life; frequent job changes are becoming the norm. To be most marketable, you must build your professional skills, attitude and networking ability. Employers want a candidate who is the whole package. This includes not only technical skills, but soft skills, ethics and corporate fit potential.
Be familiar with new recruiting trends.
Understanding what hiring managers are looking for in employees gives you a great advantage. In today's tough marketplace, employers are placing emphasis on hiring well-rounded quality candidates. This may mean choosing a charismatic, hard working and personable candidate with less experience over someone who keeps to him/herself but is highly-skilled and has many years of experience. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through (within reason, of course).
Companies often hire candidates whom they would like to grow and develop from within. While you may not have all of the necessary skills, demonstrating aptitude and an ability to learn the job will go a long way. It is very common to be hired based on corporate fit potential and then be trained for skill. Companies who invest in employees through training and on boarding programs are also likely to hire from within. Organizations should strive to keep employees satisfied and loyal to the company through career development programs, as well as opportunities for promotions and lateral moves.
Create a personal brand.
Your personal brand is an important factor when selling yourself to your current or potential employer. Take some time to sit down and identify how you want your brand to represent you. Think of your brand as an accurate expression and portrayal of yourself. Understand who you are, as well as your competition and your target work, prior to creating your brand.
Your personal brand should do the following:
- Distinguish you from others
- Make others aware of your character, strengths and personality
- Become the message that is conjured up when someone thinks of you
- Influence the decisions, attitudes and actions of others
- Increase confidence, presence and visibility
- Evolve and be periodically evaluated
Give yourself an ethics/integrity check-up.
Along with your brand, ethics is an important factor in today's business world. Employers want to ensure that candidates' values are inline with those of their company. Having a sense of ethics means that you are trustworthy and do what is right no matter the situation or consequence. Ethics and integrity are guided by principles, transparency, respect and the "Golden Rule." Don't lead yourself off course with white lies. Does your resume include any of these common stumbles: time inconsistencies, inflated titles, exaggerated responsibilities and results, embellished credentials, or false reasons for termination?
Develop and utilize your professional network.
Nearly 48 percent of job seekers find their jobs through "word-of-mouth," better known as networking. The more expansive you make your network, the more people who might be able to help you out when you are looking for a new job. However, networking should not be reserved for job hunting; network to remain on top of industry trends, move ahead in your current company, know who has recently been promoted or switched companies, and identify which jobs might soon become available. Knowing the right people can be one of the most significant factors for getting your foot in the door.
Maintain an attitude for success.
What is the key to staying afloat in an unstable marketplace? Resiliency! In many cases, being resilient may be even more important than possessing technical skills. Today's elastic labor market demands individuals who are pliant and welcome change. This is the time to officially get over your "control freak" tendencies and understand what you can and cannot change. You may not have any control over a situation, but you have complete control over how you handle it.
Don't let past successes or failures weigh you down. If you make a mistake along the way, learn from it and move on. You have to be able to bounce back to get on the track to major achievements. If you didn't get the job or promotion this time, know that something better is bound to come along. Encourage yourself: Avoid saying "I'll try" and "I hope to." Replace those with "I will" and you will!
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