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Why Do I Need to Know My Audience?
If you present yourself as an apple to an employer who is looking for an orange, you are likely to be overlooked. Why? Because the employer, who was looking for orange skills, only knew about your apple skills. Additionally, it indicates a lack of commitment or genuine interest to potential employers when you have not invested sufficient time and thought into their company. On the other hand, if you know enough about your audience to demonstrate how you can meet specific needs, your chances of being interviewed and hired can increase.
In the Career Center, we can help you tailor your application materials to show your audience how your skills and abilities fit into their specific work culture and help the employer achieve their goals. By doing this, you will be able to present yourself in a more compelling and powerful way.
Instructions: Please use the resources and example to complete your own Know Your Audience Worksheet. Draw on this new-found information when compiling your application materials and bring the completed worksheet to your resume review, cover letter review, and mock interview appointment(s).
Resources
1. Leverage tools like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Handshake, BYUI Connect, Portfolium, Degreed, etc. to learn about and connect with companies, recruiters, and other professionals that are of interest to you. You can also use these tools to find out more about career paths, professional work/projects, and companies from alumni.
2. Attend campus, college, major, or society-specific career events to practice networking with employers and gain exposure to internship, job, and career options.
3. Join professional organizations and/or attend conferences related to your chosen field.
The Power of Knowing Your Audience
Job candidates who can articulate their in-depth understanding and ability to meet their audience’s specific needs significantly increase their chances of getting interviewed and hired. On the other hand, not knowing your audience indicates a lack of commitment or genuine interest to potential employers. It is difficult to convince an employer you are the one who can meet their needs if you have no idea what their needs are.
In the Career Preparation office, we can help you tailor your application materials, digital profile, interviewing approaches, etc. to show your audience how your skills and abilities can help them achieve their goals. To help us help you, complete the ‘Know Your Audience’ guide below and bring a hard copy of it to your career preparation appointment(s).
