7 ways of competing in the job market when you work for a brand that’s not famous
Beyond having exclusive bragging rights for working with major brands, it also comes with exposure to new opportunities, new career avenues, and a very competitive salary.
However, what if you work for a brand that’s not famous? Do you have a competing chance in the job market especially when the famous brands get preferential treatment?
The brand you work for may not be famous but may have really good potential and is making waves in its niche, or is just a start-up and it doesn’t know how to compete yet. Regardless, you still have a great chance to compete in the job market. Here are a few tips that will nudge you in the right direction.
1. Cover letter and CV is everything
A cover letter for you and a portfolio for your company let people know you mean business. Inclusion of your key skills, the company’s market share, its size in terms of revenue, the number employees and more so how you have contributed to its success is what will set you apart from the rest.
While it is easy to come up with a CV, having one that will have the narrative of your company is a must. You don’t have to tell your life story, but in a line or two, say what the company does and include the website link.
2. It’s all about perspectives
Building your personal brand as a thought leader, a visionary, or opinion changer is much more beneficial than working for a popular brand and having none of these qualities.
‘Have a positive attitude’ is a cliché yes, but being able to believe in and love your brand even if the proverbial ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ seems bleak, will take you to heights you did not think were possible.
When you work for a brand that is not famous, you have to work twice as hard, innovate exceptionally, curve your niche so well such that you will be the answer to other brands. Sell these skills instead of your company logo.
3. Yes, to networking!
Thanks to the internet, you can join many chat rooms, CSR clubs, social media marketplaces, organizations such as Toastmasters and Rotary, and mentor the youth in your area on forums like Akili Dada. Only then will you be able to position yourself and make that impact in people's lives.
The connection between networking and working for a brand that is not famous is that it will give you the required elevation in your profile and it might even get you into top tier organizations.
4. All things volunteering
Volunteering activities do not need to be as prestigious as the Red Cross or UN. You can do as little as feeding the orphanage in your area, mentoring the young girls in your community or offering lessons on life skills in your local high school.
Through volunteering, you stay grounded and become a wiser and more interesting person as you interact with mentors or prospective employers, irrespective of the popularity of the brand you work for.
5. References can make or break you
Customers tend to believe what they hear from their close friends, family, and others they trust. As a person, your number one goal should be to offer exceptional service to your customers and everyone else. Through this, you will get solid recommendations in your social media pages and have people with strong profiles as a reference.
6. Let’s talk achievements
In reality, achievements get people talking about you. No one likes an unambitious person. As you search for new avenues, state what you did for the company and make it quantifiable to show impact.
Your achievements will announce you even before you appear. They don’t have to be as extravagant as Greta Thunberg’s but a spike in sales of products, an increase in social media following, or an idea that is changing lives will do. With this, the notion of working for a brand that’s not famous suddenly diminishes because it is overshadowed by your achievements.
7. Passion in the purpose
An organization may not be a big brand but their purpose could be top notch. Instead of selling the brand, sell the purpose and why you subscribe to the purpose. When people hear about this purpose, the brand will be secondary, even tertiary to them.
We all have a story that we tend to go to when we are trying to figure life out. Always sell your story as an individual. They want you, not where you came from.
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