Review Chapter 5 of the Life After College

EDU499 Creating the Package to Market Yourself

TRANSCRIPT FOR INTERACTIVE LEARNING MODULE

Screen 1: Learning Objective

You will learn how to identify all the components of self-marketing, including the elevator pitch,

personal brand statement, resumes, career accomplishments, and pertinent artifacts, and list

them in ePortfolios for immediate and convenient distribution.

Screen 2: Conversation on ePortfolio

Liam and Kim are having a conversation on ePortfolios.

Select the arrow buttons to explore more. Once finished, select the Next button.

[The screen displays 2 slides with two characters Liam and Kim.]

Slide 1:

Kim: I’ve got my resume, brand statement, and a few projects ready, but how do I bring it all

together for an ePortfolio that really showcases who I am?

Liam: Start by organizing those pieces into a cohesive narrative. Your elevator pitch should

serve as the introduction, followed by your personal brand statement, resume, and career

accomplishments. Highlight key artifacts—such as lesson plans or projects—that demonstrate

your expertise, and make sure it’s all easy to navigate.

Slide 2:

Kim: So, it’s about showing the best of what I have in one place and making it accessible for

anyone, anytime?

Liam: Exactly. With an ePortfolio, you’re marketing yourself continuously. Make sure it’s

polished and can be shared easily, giving potential employers a clear insight into your value, no

matter when or where they access it.

Screen 3: Importance of Self-Marketing and the ePortfolio

Select each tab to learn more.

[The screen displays timeline with 3 icons]

Icon 1: Why Self-Marketing Matters

• Self-marketing helps you stand out in a competitive job market.

• A platform to showcase your skills and experiences in an accessible format

Icon 2: Overview of the ePortfolio

• Collection of a person's accomplishments and experiences serving as a

professional marketing tool for career advancement

• Provides a dynamic and easily accessible platform to showcase skills and

personal branding, making candidates stand out to potential employers

Icon 3: List of platforms

Here’s a list of platforms commonly used to host ePortfolios:

• LinkedIn

• WordPress

• Wix

• Google Sites

• Adobe Portfolio

• Portfolium

Screen 4: Crafting the Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a brief summary that highlights who you are, what you do, and the value you

bring and is aimed at sparking interest in 30-90 seconds.

Select each shape to learn more.

[The screen displays two clickable shapes and one non clickable shape]

Shape 1: Key Components

• Introduction—Briefly state who you are and your professional background.

• Value Proposition—Highlight what you do and what makes you unique or

valuable.

• Career Goals—Share your short-term or long-term objectives relevant to the

listener.

• Call to Action—End with a statement or question that encourages further

conversation or connection.

Shape 2: Best Practices

• Keep it clear, concise, and memorable.

• Align the pitch with your personal brand.

Screen 5: Developing Your Personal Brand Statement

Select the arrow buttons to learn more. Once completed, select the Next button.

[The screen displays 4 slides. Each slide has information on it]

Slide 1: What is a Personal Brand Statement?

A concise description that communicates who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart, reflecting your value to your target audience

Slide 2: How It Differs From an Elevator Pitch

It is a written, concise summary that defines your professional identity and value over time.

Slide 3: Tailor Your Personal Brand Statement

Aligning your brand with your career aspirations and personal values

Slide 4: Follow these steps to create a personal brand statement:

• Identify your strengths—Reflect on your core skills, talents, and expertise.

• Define your target audience—Determine whom you want to reach or impress (employers, clients, etc.).

• Clarify your unique value—Highlight what sets you apart from others in your field.

• Connect your value to your audience’s needs—Show how your skills and experience address specific problems or goals relevant to your target audience.

• Keep it concise and memorable—Craft a clear, brief statement that effectively communicates your brand in a compelling way.

Screen 6: Creating an Impactful Resume

Here are a few steps involved in creating an impactful resume:

Select each tab to learn more

[The screen displays 4 clickable tabs]

Tab 1: Resume Definition

A concise document that summarizes an individual’s professional experience and skills to

showcase qualifications to potential employers

Tab 2: Sections to Include

• Contact Information—Your name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile or personal website

• Professional Summary or Objective—A brief statement highlighting your career goals or key qualifications

• Work Experience—A list of past jobs or internships, including job titles and key responsibilities/accomplishments

• Education—Schools attended, degrees earned, and relevant coursework or honors

• Skills—A list of relevant technical and soft skills related to the job you're applying for

• Certifications/Training—Any professional certifications or specialized training relevant to your field

• Awards/Accomplishments—Honors or significant achievements in your career or education

• Optional sections can include volunteer work, projects, or publications.

Tab 3: Highlighting Accomplishments

• Use Numbers—Include specific data such as percentages, amounts, or time frames ("Increased student test scores by 15%").

• Highlight Results—Focus on the outcome of your actions ("Reduced failure rates by 20% through efficient task management").

• Show Scope—Indicate the scale of your responsibilities ("Managed a budget of $50,000" or "Supervised a team of 10 daycare workers").

• Compare to Benchmarks—Mention how your achievements surpass expectations ("Exceeded retention goals by 5%").

• Link to Organizational Goals—Demonstrate how your work contributed to broader goals ("Improved graduation rates of ELL students by sheltered instruction practices").

Tab 4: Resume Design

• Readability: Use clear fonts, bullet points, and concise text.

• Formatting: Organize sections, align text, and use bold/italics sparingly.

• White Space: Add space between sections and maintain clean margins.

Screen 7: Career Accomplishments and Artifacts

Here are a few points to identify career accomplishments and select artifacts for your portfolio:

Select the circle to learn more.

[The screen displays two clickable circles and one non-clickable circle]

Circle 1: Identifying Impactful Accomplishments

• Focus on Results: projects or roles where you made a measurable difference, such as increasing efficiency, improving outcomes, or solving a significant problem

• Highlight Key Initiatives: initiatives you led or contributed to that demonstrate your leadership, innovation, or ability to drive change

• Demonstrate Growth: examples that show your professional growth, such as mastering a new skill or taking on greater responsibility

• Align With Career Goals: accomplishments that directly relate to the type of roles you're targeting and showcase relevant skills

• Incorporate Testimonials or Data: evidence of your impact, such as testimonials or data that quantify your success (e.g., "increased student engagement by 20%")

Circle 2: Selecting Artifacts for Your ePortfolio

• Include lesson plans, projects, presentations, assessments, or research.

• Align artifacts with your career goals and the roles you're seeking.

Screen 8: Building Your ePortfolio

Here are a few points to build your portfolio:

Select each circle to learn more.

[The screen displays 3 hotspots/circles]

Circle 1: What Should Go in an ePortfolio?

• Elevator pitch (in video or text format)

• Personal brand statement

• Resume

• Career accomplishments and relevant artifacts

Circle 2: Structuring Your ePortfolio

• Organize content for clarity and ease of navigation.

• Use visuals, videos, and other media to enhance engagement.

Circle 3: Choosing an ePortfolio Platform

• Review options (LinkedIn, WordPress, Wix, Portfolium, Folio).

• Choose platforms that allow customization and accessibility considerations.

Screen 9: Summary

Self-marketing is essential in today’s competitive job market, helping professionals stand out by

showcasing their skills and accomplishments. Tools such as ePortfolios, elevator pitches, and

resumes allow students to present their personal brand effectively.