Written by Dea Permatasari
I am almost finished with uni and want to do something productive and meaningful after I graduate. I want to get a job for the experience and learn something. But I need to learn how to promote myself to get one!
It’s almost the end of 2022, and I need to do this fast; time is precious, now or never.
Many uni students in their last year are wondering what to do to market themselves, what steps they need to take to pitch themselves, and how to start.
Being in the final stages of uni makes you think about everything, like ‘what are you going to do after this?’ ‘when are you going to get a job?’
I get it because I was there too. I started looking for an internship, sent in my CV, waited for the company’s response, and got called for an interview. But I always struggle with the question, ‘why we should hire you?’ I just sit there looking at the blank wall and start thinking, ‘how am I gonna promote myself.’ It’s really hard to promote yourself! But you need to learn, because that’s what will make them give you an offer.
I fear this, and it freaks me out.
But then I remember what Phil from Modern Family said, “When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like whaaat!”
For some people, especially me, it’s hard to point out what you’re capable of, so I’ll ask someone else, “what should I do to promote myself?” or “help me to promote myself; I’m helpless.”
But over my time, I’ve come to find a few solutions. This may just help you too.
- Listen to TEDx Talks or Podcasts
To achieve my goals, I stumbled upon international talks that I found on YouTube; I thought that maybe I should give it a shot to try to watch and maybe learn one thing or two things. The Art of Self-Promotion by Lizz Smoak is the first video that I watched for my knowledge about self-promotion.
I remembered watching this while I learnt that our skills and survival instincts make us successful no matter where we are from; it doesn’t matter what people tell you about! You need to have confidence for you to tell your stories. Self-promotion is also the reflection of your personality and attitudes that you’re going to tell everyone. After finishing this video, I always make a morning habit of listening to TEDx Talks to improve my self-development and grow my mindset to be sharper and more aware of my surroundings.
If you’re into podcasts, I recommend listening to Finka Jerkovic; she tells you how to promote yourself with ease and integrity with Lisa Bragg. Other than that, it’s good to listen once in a while when you have leisure time; unconsciously, this could help grow your mindset so you could have broader and wider knowledge; if you are fully committed to doing this.
2. Read Self-Development Books
Aside from watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts, I prefer to read a book; it makes it easier to put little notes or make small underlining for the important words without opening another note. Here are my book recommendations that could help you to improve yourselves and build your personalities:
- 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest. The thing is, all the sections from this book are related to our daily life as well as problems that we are facing in everyday life. This book taught me to be calmer and more composed when something unexpected comes our way.
- Atomic Habits by James Clear. I remember clearly the conclusion from this book is that no matter what you want to do, even if it’s only one hour or five minutes, it’s better than doing nothing. Having developed this kind of habit could lead you to a good thing in life by starting small steps into the big steps.
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. This book tells you any kind of Law of Attraction that you want to gain that power as in your work or how you manage to deceive your opponents when you don’t have the power to do so.
3. Be Confident
The key to knowing how to promote yourself is confidence itself. With confidence, we can easily build any network or relationship with people and that way, and we can promote ourselves. The abilitity to talk with confidence can improve others perspectives of us.
I may not be good at public speaking, but I am practising and learning. When you achieve this powerful action, you don’t have to worry about ‘what should I say?’ You can start setting goals you want to achieve and list your strengths and the things you are good at! It could help to boost your confidence.
4. Do an internship to boost your value
If you have completed internships or part-time jobs in the past as I have, you can use this as a way to boost your value. Real-world experience is a great way to show your value. If you have completed a course with a certificate or specialisation in your field, this is a great asset to have.
5. Complete the Job Search Secrets course
I looked up on the internet and found the Job Search Secret Course (JSSC), and after completing it, it had answered my prayers. It helped me to gain broader insight into the job search process. These are the things that I like about the JSSC:
- Build a Growth Mindset: Not many believe their abilities can be enhanced via commitment and effort. JSSC helps to build this perspective and fosters a thirst for knowledge and the tenacity necessary for outstanding achievement in the future.
2. What to Say During the Interview: For the record, this is my favourite part. What I need to know for my upcoming interview with the company is detailed here. An interview is your chance to sell yourself as the best possible applicant for the job and to convince the interviewer that you should be hired over any other candidates they are considering.
3. Networking: Having a network means you can always have an opportunity open for you; you never know where your next opportunity is. The course goes in-depth on how to build a network.
4. What you’re good at: If you struggle to answer this, don’t worry it’s not only you. Asking someone to point it out for you (like friends or family), is a great source for you to start. It’s never wrong to try out new things and be curious about what you like; as long as you commit to doing so, you’re on the right track.
5. Self-branding: It’s the most important thing to start. Gaining new experiences like volunteering or doing an internship helps you to improve; not only does the company needs to brand itself, but you also need to! Tell them how valuable you are with your past experiences and skills that you achieved, and start showing them what you’re capable of. Talking without taking action is doing nothing to help you to get that dream job that you want.
There are many ways to learn more about promoting yourself in the Job Search Secret Course (JSSC); it covers everything in the job seeking journey. It’s always possible to improve and sharpen your skills since they help you figure out what’s best for you and find the perfect job that suits you; not to mention this course makes you stand out from the other jobseekers. This course is the answer to all of your prayers!
I hope you enjoyed my blog! 😍
