Charlotte Grainger 
If you want to climb to the top of the career ladder, here's what you need to do!
The professional world is highly competitive. If you want to get noticed and land your dream job, you need to battle hard, leaving hundreds of other candidates in the dust. Only the strongest and fiercest will make it to the top... and self-marketing may be the secret weapon you need. In this guide, we reveal how this approach could help you to get noticed by the right employers and zip your way up the career ladder.
What is self-marketing?
Self-marketing does exactly what it says on the tin. It's all about promoting yourself as a professional and getting your name out there. There are many benefits to this approach.
When you're looking for a new job, your reputation may well precede you. The information that an employer has about you before you've even applied for the role at hand gives them a picture of your professional expertise. If they've come across your name for all the right reasons, you're bound to stand out amongst the sea of other nameless candidates.
Self-marketing falls under the umbrella of personal branding. It's about using strategies to raise your professional profile and get noticed. As we'll cover in the rest of this guide, there are plenty of ways that you can get this right. Using a multi-pronged approach is the most effective way to go. Don't plough all of your efforts into one strategy - use a few.
How to start self-marketing: 7 pro tips
Looking for some tried and tested self-marketing strategies? We hear you. While there's an almost endless list of approaches you can try, it's smart to start with a number that you can manage. With that in mind, here are seven ways to kick off your self-marketing efforts.
1. Create a self-marketing strategy
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Before you get started with any of the self-marketing strategies we cover here, you need to make a plan. How much time can you dedicate to this step in your career progression? What tools do you already have at your fingertips? Which approaches will give you the biggest gains for the smallest input? Consider these questions and start mapping out a self-marketing strategy that works for your schedule.
2. Give your professional CV a revamp
Creating your CV as a self-marketing tool is an easy win. You need to have a stellar CV to land job roles. However, you should also think of this document as a tool that you can use elsewhere. Some job sites allow you to post your CV speculatively. That means that you're not applying for one job with the document - but that employers can find it. Take the time to revamp your CV and start getting it out there.
3. Build a LinkedIn following
We don't need to harp on about the power of LinkedIn. Chances are, you've heard it all before. Whether you have a handful of connections or sit firmly in the 500+ tier, it's time to start making better use of your LinkedIn account. Connect with people you've worked with in the past, ask for testimonials, and start posting content. The more visible you are on the social network, the more the right people will start to hear your name.
4. Become a content creator
While we're on the topic of content, it would be a pity to miss this next tip. Creating original and unique content is a savvy way to build your professional profile. You might choose to start a podcast, launch a YouTube channel, or write and publish a blog. These creative extracurricular activities set you apart from the competition. When an employer Googles your name (and they will Google your name!), they will find this wealth of content too.
5. Position yourself as an expert
Have you been working in the field for years? Do you have expert insights that you'd be happy to share? Positioning yourself as an expert in your industry is a quick and easy way to get some attention. You can become an expert source and reply to media requests through Cision's Help a Reporter Out feature. This self-marketing strategy allows you to share your opinion with journalists in return for a shout-out in mainstream articles.
6. Get out there and network
You might have seen this one coming. One of the most effective self-marketing strategies is to network. It always has been and it always will be. That may mean attending formal networking events or simply going to the right places to meet like-minded professionals. While few people are filled with glee at the prospect of making small talk for two hours, signing up to networking sessions is the way to make new connections.
7. Always take credit for your work
Are you a humble worker? While there's a lot to be said for modesty, if you're not shouting about your achievements it's unlikely that anyone else will do it for you. While it can be uncomfortable to toot your own horn, you need to get used to doing it. That may mean letting people know when you've had a huge win, posting about your accolades on LinkedIn, or slapping your name on a company project that you spearheaded.
The takeaway
Self-marketing may feel weird at first. Shouting about how wonderful you are just isn't very… British. However, if you're looking for a way to get ahead in the working world, you need to give it a shot. In this guide, we've covered some of the most straightforward self-marketing strategies you can use. Why not get moving and give them a whirl?
Ready to take the next step in your career journey? If you've got self-marketing down to a fine art, make sure that your CV reflects that. If you're looking for some pointers to help you along the way, why not upload your CV for a free CV review?