Position!

June 8 2009

Position is how your market sees you in relation to your competition. Position is what makes you unique. In terms of job search, position is why they should hire you and not somebody else. This makes position extremely important. If position is important, that means that the way you present yourself is extremely important.

Here are some aspects of position you should consider:

o Distinctive: Competitors do not offer what you offer, or you offer it in a more distinctive way.

o Superior: What you offer is better than what other job seekers offer.

o Communicable: The advantage you offer can be explained and communicated to the target employers.

o Preemptive: Competitors cannot copy the difference, at least not easily.

o Affordable: Employers can afford to hire you. (You're worth it.)

You will generate position amongst one or more of these general market segments:

a. Innovators

b. Early Adopters

c. Early Majority

d. Late Majority

e. Laggards

You know those people who camped out to get the first iPhone the day it was introduced? Those were innovators. They have to have the latest stuff, no matter what it costs. They are the first 5% to 10% of people to grab something new.

Early adopters waited until the lines around the iPhone store had dissapated. Maybe read a few reviews, then they went to get that latest gadget. These folks represent the next 10% to 15% of customers.

The early majority are those people who wait until the gadget is proven to be worthwhile to get on board. These people have an iPhone by now, but not the latest model, yet. They are 30% of buyers.

The late majority follows along, maybe staying a generation behind. They want to be sure of what they're getting. They represent another 30% of buyers. A lot of employers are Late Majority types when it comes to hiring. That's why you have to prove yourself to them.

The the last are laggards, who may just be warming up to that new fangled CD technology as I write. Some employers are like that, though, so you need to be aware of them. These people represent the last 20% or so.

To sum up the rules that grow from this list: you have to stand out from the crowd. You need to offer skills and abilities that others don't. You need to get employers to notice you among the huge crowd of job seekers. As I go along, I'll write more about how to do each of these things. Next, though, I'll be continuing this discussion of the 5Ps of job search. Check back tomorrow for more!

Until tomorrow,

Steve