Learning Objective. To show students that marketing relates directly to their future by using the strategic marketing process and marketing mix when preparing for life after graduation.
Nature of the Activity. To have students do a SWOT analysis and goal setting for themselves to develop a plan that enhances their marketable skills before starting job interviews.
In order to market yourselves you need to:
1. Do a situation analysis, which involves taking stock of what you’ve have done regarding your career search, where you are now, and where you are headed in terms of your existing plans and the external factors and trends affecting their employment prospects.
2. Conducting a SWOT analysis to assess your personal strengths and weaknesses as well as your opportunities for and threats (barriers) to employment.
– To conduct an internal analysis, identify some of your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of the courses taken and grades received, work experience, extra-curricular activities involvement, honors received, etc.
To conduct an external analysis, ask yourself the following questions:
– Which industries or types of jobs are growing or in demand that may be opportunities?
– What advantages or “points of difference” do you have relative to other “competitors” (other students) seeking the same job opportunities?
3. Next, specify elements of their marketing mix.
a. What type of “product” do you have to offer? What skill sets do you possess?
b. What sort of “pricing” is appropriate? What salary and benefits do you want?
c. What “promotion” will be used? How will you inform prospective employers about yourself?
d. What type of “place” or channel will be used? These include intermediaries such as on-campus career services, networking, employment agencies, and even the Internet, with firms such as Monster or Career Builder providing valuable services.