In a tough job market, even the most qualified job seeker can struggle to show an employer why they're the best candidate for the job. A resume is only so compelling, and it's difficult to stand out from the crowd of hundreds of others applying for similar positions.
Some job seekers resort to out-of-the-box ideas to stand out, such as creating a video resume or using advertising to grab an employer's attention. Here's another way you might win over a prospective employer: by writing a one-page job proposal.
A job proposal, similar to a business proposal, shows a potential employer what you can offer and why it will benefit them to hire you. By creating one-page proposal, you show the individual that you value their time. It also shows your initiative and passion for the job.
[See 9 Companies Hiring Now.]
To draft a job proposal, you must have a comprehensive understanding of yourself and the company--which is not a simple task.
Craft a quality one-page proposal by following these tips:
-- Identify a business problem the organization has and discuss how your current skills, experience, and education can help address the issue.
-- Share examples of past accomplishments to show you can deliver to the company's wants and needs.
-- Keep it as concise as possible, editing several times if necessary.
There's a new online tool that can help you with this process. 1-Page Job Proposal assists you in creating a compelling and concise job proposal. 1-Page takes your ideas, goals, and values and helps you compress them into a short proposal to present to employers. It also guides you through the research process, and helps you determine how to deliver your proposal and to whom. If you're still unclear about the direction your career is heading, 1-Page can assist you job discovery to identify with which industry, company, or people you want to work.
[See The Best Way to Take Control of Your Job Hunt.]
Patrick G. Riley, author of The One Page Proposal, says it works because it "follows a logical and organic progression of thought and argument." Here are the eight important sections to include in a one-page proposal:
-- Title and Subtitle that label and define the entire proposal
-- Target and Secondary Target sections identify the goals of the proposal
-- Rationale section lays out the basic reasons why the action is necessary
-- Financial section puts dollars and cents to the deal
-- Status states how things stand at the moment
-- Action makes clear exactly what the proposer wants the recipient to do
Would you consider writing a job proposal to show a prospective employer the benefits of hiring you?
Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and employers. She is also the author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010) and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.
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