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| Image by: Petite Wanderer Photography |
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The world of online dating can teach you a few lessons on how to market yourself to attract nothing but the best in your nonprofit professional career. |
In essence, you have to communicate your value effectively. One quick view of
your profile and a potential dating match either likes or dislikes what you
have to say. The same goes for employers. What you choose to write on your
resume or LinkedIn profile can tell a future employer if you’re a valuable
investment for their organization.
Now,
you may wonder how you can apply strategies from online dating to your career.
Easy,
here are a few tips to consider from online dating that can help you market
yourself successfully:
1.Headline – This is the part of your profile that shows up in searches to grab a match’s attention. The same will apply to a potential employer who is reading your resume or LinkedIn profile. In this section, you want to write a brief sentence that communicates you uniquely. It should be clear and concise with no clichés. For example, instead of using your current job title as the LinkedIn headline, use adjectives to describe your role:
- Yes – Creative, authentic, and forward-thinking nonprofit leader
- No – Vice president of Strategic Planning
2. Summary –
In online dating, this is the place where you would tell your matches who you
are and what you’re looking for in a potential mate. The same would apply in
the summary section of your resume or LinkedIn profile. This is the opportunity
to tell your story. Remember to avoid cliché phrases.
- Yes – Is your organization lacking vision and direction? Don’t fear. I’m a nonprofit professional with more than years of leadership experience in strategic planning, business development, and operations.
- No – My objective is to obtain a
position where I can apply my 10 years of experience in strategic
planning at a nonprofit organization.
3. Background and Experience – Obviously, this section requires you to be
authentic in both online dating and your professional profile. In online
dating, this is the place where you list your education, work experience, and
interests. Similarly, in your resume and LinkedIn profile. This section is very
important because you want to ensure that it matches your headline and summary.
You have to be consistent here.
The
key to marketing your value positively is to know what you are looking for and
what you can bring to the table in the dating and professional world. If you
are unable to communicate this in a clear, concise, and descriptive way, then
chances are you will limit yourself from receiving the best “winks” from
potential suitors and employers.
Best of luck!