Another Old Way to Find a New Job

Here’s another Depression-era job search tactic that can get you hired today, from the book, Pick Your Job And Land It! by S.W. and M.G. Edlund.

Of their methods, first published in 1936, 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. Here’s the tactic: Make a written sales presentation of what you have to offer.

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 written sales presentation? Four things, according to the Edlunds (and me):

1. a description 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

2. samples of your work: copies of reports you’ve written, presentations you’ve delivered, graphics you’ve designed, etc.

3. case studies of achievements and specific results produced in each position — try to use pictures and graphs to illustrate them, for maximum effect

4. 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 create something tangible with a “thud” factor when you lay it on the table in an interview. Start with a nice 3-ring binder and fill it up until you’re proud.

Note: We teach this tactic, which we call a “Guerrilla Portfolio,” in our Guerrilla Job Search Home Study Course 2.0.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 at 11:41 am and is filed under job search tips. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.