Pigeonhole Yourself

As a professional training consultant, you may have the skills to deliver any content for any client at any time. But is that what companies are really looking for? The best way to market yourself is to develop multiple profiles or resumes that showcase each of your areas of experience, whether it is a specific subject matter or industry-specific knowledge.

Think of it as creating "pigeonholes" of expertise as you customize your resume to match the different job profiles in which you are interested. Then use the resume that most closely matches the training project you are seeking. Being very specific increases your chance of being considered for the job because it allows prospective clients to easily see that your expertise meets their specified requirements and that you are familiar with the field.

When we consider the A-list candidates for staffing a training project, first we look for industry-specific experience and then subject matter expertise before even considering how many years a candidate has been working in the training industry. If we need contract trainers for a client in the hospitality industry, our initial focus will be on finding people with hospitality industry experience and demonstrated knowledge of the subject matter to be taught.

So don't be afraid to get specific on your resume or professional profile. Go ahead and pigeonhole yourself. "Pigeoning" can mean better Positioning!