Out of sight, they say, is out of mind. But if you're in the market for a job, you certainly want to be in sight and on the mind of potential employers.
The first candidates employers consider to fill a job are those whose work they know, says career guru Richard Bolles in his bestselling book, "What Color Is Your Parachute? 2004: A Practical Guide for Job-Hunters and Career Changers." So current employees, former colleagues, temps, consultants or outstanding people in a particular field get first crack at plum positions.
And that's why it's important to take advantage of free opportunities to promote yourself to recruiters and hiring managers. It could be the fastest route to a new job.
Tapping the Trades
Many of the best industry newsletters and trade publications feature current job openings. And the "best of the best" also offer brief profiles of job seekers as well as articles on movers and shakers.
For example, Marketing Sherpa's Career Climber, an industry newsletter for job seekers in the marketing industry, features both job openings and brief descriptions of candidates looking for work.
Once you've identified the best newsletters and publications in your industry, contact each and apply to be profiled in an upcoming issue.
It's also a good idea to notify industry newsletters of promotions or awards you receive.
A Sense of Community
Create a name for yourself in the community - whether in your hometown or out in cyberspace.
Get out in public and start networking. Teach an adult-education class or offer a free workshop in your area of expertise. Volunteer in an expert capacity in and around your town for local organizations and schools or at community events.
Go online in virtual communities to network, share news and exchange career tips. Get your fellow professionals buzzing about you. One of them could lead you to your next job.
You can start by visiting Yahoo! HotJobs industry-specific career communities.
See Your Name in Lights
Promote yourself by getting your name in print as an "industry expert."
Recruiters and hiring managers often look in industry publications when seeking qualified candidates. Put your name and face out there so they can find you.
Get media exposure by writing articles or even letters to the editor. (If you're not a strong writer, you can hire an editorial professional to help you.)
Once you've accumulated a few clippings, create a press kit. Compile the clippings, along with a letter positioning yourself as an expert in your field, and send it to local and national media outlets.
The news media may come to you the next time they need an expert opinion.
For help developing a press kit, check out "The Consultant's Guide to Publicity: How to Make a Name for Yourself by Promoting Your Expertise" by Reece A. Franklin.
2010: A Job Odyssey
It's one of the most modern forms of self-promotion: Blogging.
Blogs are online journals. Easy to create, a blog can help you establish yourself as a voice to be reckoned with in your industry.
Ana Marie Cox's political gossip blog, Wonkette.com, led to a job covering the Democratic National Convention for MTV News.
Julie Powell, an unemployed New Yorker, put up a blog documenting her year-long odyssey cooking all 524 recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." It remains one of Salon.com's most popular destinations and sparked Powell's new career as an author. She's contracted for a book to be published in 2005, based on her experiences.
A blog can help turn your name into a bold-faced one -- and make you a VIP in your field. If Cox and Powell can do it, so can you.
