Many people find “selling” themselves difficult and nerve-wracking. In my experience, most people would rather promote someone else than themselves. The challenge, then, is to present yourself in the right way—both online and offline.

Dynamisch Bureau supports job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs in doing just that. In this article, you’ll find 5 ways to better put yourself “in the picture” with potential employers.

1. In the spotlight

One way we help make someone more “visible” is by sharing their profile through social media and our mailing list.

Not long ago, we put Sandra Korenblom “in the spotlight.” This generated a lot of responses. She is now happily working at De Thuispoli.

As a job seeker, you can also share your availability for work yourself. Post a short message on social media about what you’re looking for, why you’re a good fit, and what talents you bring to the table. Add an engaging photo to increase your chances of being noticed.

2. LinkedIn

More and more people—including coachees from Dynamisch Bureau—are finding jobs through LinkedIn. Creating a strong profile takes time, but it’s an investment that will benefit you throughout your career. If you’re currently looking for work, replace your current employer’s name with “available” and list all the job titles you want to be found for in the position field, for example: care manager/healthcare manager. The more relevant keywords appear in your profile, the more visible you become to recruiters. If you do it right and your profile is in demand, you won’t need to apply anymore—employers will come to you!

This was the case for Erwin Lemmers, for example. Read more about his experience with Dynamisch Bureau here.

3. Video resume

The traditional CV and cover letter are increasingly being replaced by a video CV, in which job seekers introduce themselves to potential employers. What’s new is that all coachees at Dynamisch Bureau are now offered a professional video CV at no extra cost. We’ll share some of them with you later!

4. Conduct exploratory networking conversations

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know we’re strong advocates of networking your way into work. Even today, 70% of job openings are never advertised but filled through personal connections. Talk to people who are doing the kind of work you aspire to, and connect with those working at your preferred employers. By asking for advice instead of a job, you open doors. And… when the time comes for them to hire someone, they’ll know where to find you!

5. Make sure you have a good profile photo

Having a professional profile photo can make a world of difference. I know someone who used a holiday snapshot as their LinkedIn profile picture and never heard from recruiters. Once they replaced it with a professional photo, they suddenly started getting approached—and they’re now back in a job. That’s why we always make sure our clients have a high-quality profile photo, in collaboration with a professional photographer.