Teach Students How to Market Themselves
In today's tight job market, you can assure your student that the skills and experience he has gained are in high demand. However, he can't just let people guess what he has to offer ... he needs to share it.

Remind your student that his name is a brand, telling people what they're going to get when they hire him. Is he trustworthy? Responsible? A hard worker? Smart? Innovative? Someone with a good attitude? Encourage your student to explore these questions for himself.

Students also need to understand that branding is about emphasizing what makes them stand out. What would your student say about himself? What would others say? Suggest that your student ask a few trusted friends and mentors this question. Then invite him to think about how his special features benefit others and how he can communicate those benefits.

As your student "brands" himself for the job search, he needs to think about a few things:

• How do I add value to the things I'm involved with?
• What are some characteristics that I'm proud of?
• What are my interests and passions?
• How do I make myself visible to others?
• What makes me stand out?

Translation and Transferability
You can also educate your student about the importance of translating transferable skills. Part of branding himself effectively is focusing on transferable skills rather than just what he knows or has learned.

What is a transferable skill? It is a core skill that most employers value and that students can take with them to apply to professional roles. Encourage your student to consider how he has demonstrated the following:

• Leadership — campus positions, job roles, committees and group projects
  
• Trainability — able to take direction and open to learning
  
• Reliability — punctual, meets deadlines, time management
  
• Management — administration, supervision, training
  
• Trustworthiness — handling confidential information
  
• Teamwork — collaboration, common vision, mutual goals
  
• Diversity — travels, immersion into diverse cultures, a second language

And ask him how he can translate these skill sets in a way that makes sense within the jobs for which he applies.

In today's job market, employers are looking not just at what responsibilities an applicant had, but what they ACCOMPLISHED! Employers are more results-oriented than ever before. Hands-on experiences, with supportive supervisors and mentors, can provide students with the opportunity to "sell" the results they have achieved.

Ultimately, your student needs to let potential employers know who he is, what he stands for and what makes him a potential asset to their organization in order to even be considered for hire.

Examples You Can Offer...