The depression was a horrible time. Unemployment at 25% and no Unemployment Insurance.
The economy had just turned from the Roaring Twenties where money and work was plentiful.
There was a massive change in the way people lived due to technology. The life of a twenty year was significantly different than the life of a 40 year old.
In fact, there are many similarities to the job hunting environment of today.
In this series of articles, I want to demonstrate to you, that things are haven’t changed that much. The tactics used by successful job hunters in the 1930′s will work just as well today.
This tip comes from “Pick Your Job And Land It!” by S.W. and M.G. Edlund. Of their methods, they write: “For over three years, the authors have tested the program laid down in this book in the now famous Man Marketing Clinic” in New York City.
“Make a written sales presentation of what you have to offer” (page 48).
Your resume and cover letters can get you interviews. A sales presentation, delivered in the interview, can get you job offers.
What should go into your presentation? Four things, according to the Edlunds (and me):
- Adescription of all your experience, education, and training relevant to the job you seek; this can be as simple as a color copy of your resume, extended to 2-3 compelling pages
- Ssamples of your work: copies of reports you’ve written, presentations you’ve delivered, graphics you’ve designed, etc.
- Case studies of achievements and specific results produced in each position
- Proof of your performance: letters of recommendation from managers, clients, professors, et al; copies of awards, photos, etc.
When deciding what to include in your sales presentation, consider the Edlunds’ advice: “the man or board to whom you are making this presentation is not interested in you but only in what you can do for him.”
In the pre-digital 1930s, this presentation would have been printed and bound in a portfolio. Today, you could use PowerPoint, but I would consider creating something tangible with a “thud” factor when you lay it on the table in an interview.
In fact, I would suggest you print out and bind your Powerpoint. It has the thud factor. It then gives the interviewer something to work with.
The Guerrilla Job Search system explains what should go into the Powerpoint to make it a killer presentation.
Adapting and adopting them to modern times would be like taking the best marathon runners from the rarified mountain air of Kenya and putting them in a race at sea level.
Not exactly fair.
So, why not give yourself an “unfair” advantage in today’s job market and try these tactics today?
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This job hunting post was adapted from content provided to by my good friends Kevin Donlin and David Perry, co-creators of the Guerrilla Job Search System.
Finding a job is hard, most people don’t know how to do it, and the results are months of needless waiting.
I recommend that you check The Guerrilla Job Search System to get a job and stop waiting.
Click here to understand how the Guerrilla Job Search System can shorten your job search significantly.
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