Today’s approach to the job search is changing. Having a resume is just the beginning of marketing yourself to potential employers. The job market is highly competitive and candidates need to know how to market themselves to potential employers.

Marketing to potential employers is about understanding the needs of specific companies and positioning yourself, your skills and experiences, to fit those specific requirements. It is important that candidates understand what makes you unique and how to communicate that to employers.

Here are 3 great ways to market yourself to potential employers:

1. Know your target audience– Familiarize yourself with the companies you are applying to. Do as much research as possible to help identify the skills, personality traits and experiences they are looking for. Use the job description as a starting point to understand their needs and try to work out how you will fit into the organization.
2. Network in your community– Start connecting with hiring managers and recruiters in your community and field of interest. Attend events and seminars and introduce yourself to key people at the organizations you are interested in. Building these connections will help you access the hidden job market and build relationships with business owners and hiring managers in your industry.
3. Leverage Social Media- Social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter now give you direct, accessible channels of communication through which you can connect with hiring managers and recruiters and market yourself to prospective employers. Just be sure your personal brand is consistent and professional across all sites.

Marketing yourself is becoming more important in today’s competitive job market. To successfully market yourself, remember to understand the needs of companies you are interested in, and align your personal marketing brand with the demands of prospective employers.

Zahra Sherzay is a Recruitment Partner with Lucas Professional Search Group.