How to Position Yourself as a Desired Training Professional

Positioning yourself in the 21st century goes well beyond the business card. Relational databases, job boards and social networking sites are used daily to search for professionals with unique experiences in Training and Development. Searches are most often conducted using keyword parameters, as well as built-in search functions and filters within the software. To best position yourself as an independent training professional, resumes and online profiles should be created as a searchable digital document, in addition to detailing your expertise.

When crafting a resume or online profile as an independent training professional, be sure to include the following information:

Contact Information - Provide your most current and accurate contact information in order to be reached as well as searched. Internal databases have the ability to search for parameters such as area codes, zip or postal codes, states or provinces, to isolate candidates in a particular geographic region. When creating a profile for online media, choose a local region, such as the closest urban centre, to optimize searches without revealing sensitive information on the internet, and ensure that your profile is "searchable."

Areas of Specialization - Not every independent training professional is alike. Therefore, provide a list of your core competencies, such as "Instructional Design" or "E-Learning", to create a distinct profile of your services. In addition, include a brief education section as well as a list of your certifications in good standing, as these keywords can be included in a search.

Technological Proficiencies - Provide a list or chart of all technological proficiencies including software packages, programming languages, and technical certifications that you possess. Because certain technical expertise in the Training and Development world are unique and highly sought after, ensuring their presence in your resume or online profile will help you stand out during the recruitment process.