A job search is just like a sales process. You need to convince an employer that you have a product that is better than the others, worth the money and will pay off in the long run. That's why it is crucial to market yourself every step of the way. For a job seeker, this means that everything about you plays a role in building your professional image, from your first contact to the final handshake sealing the deal.

　　Here are six rules to ensure you are marketing yourself as effectively as possible:

　　1. Make your first contact count.

　　You've likely heard it a thousand times, but take heed when job hunting – you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This means that the casual e-mail you are sending to ask for more information is not really casual at all. It's actually the start of your audition(试听；试唱；试演). Think you don't have to double check your spelling in your e-mail or formally acknowledge the recipient? Think again. Every contact you make with the company, including e-mail and voice mail, is a chance to let your professionalism shine.

　　2. Make sure you are always "on."

　　When you are out of a job, it can be easy to fall into a rut where you stay in your sweats all day and watch TV. Whether you are reading the morning paper, running errands(为了一些杂务在奔波), grocery shopping or at a PTA (Parent Teacher Association 家长教师联谊会) meeting, you never know when you will be presented with a "you" marketing opportunity. Will you sound like an enthusiastic, motivated professional when you get a phone call from a prospective employer early in the morning? Will you make a good impression if you run into an influential person at the coffee shop? Don't run the risk of marring your reputation by turning off your professionalism.

　　3. Packaging is important.

　　If you want to sell yourself as the best choice for the job, you must dress like it. Just think about how you make purchasing decisions as a consumer. When you are comparing products, which are you more likely to choose: the product with tattered or outdated packaging, or the product that looks brand new, state-of-the-art and visually appealing? When you are selling product "you," your appearance is just as important. Dress in your best conservative suit, shine your shoes and leave other flashy details – like bulky jewelry and exotic nail polish – at home. In the professional world, many people do judge a book by its cover.

　　4. Work the room.

　　The answers you give to interview questions are important, but the other subtle things you do in an interview also help craft your image. Take the initiative when you walk into a room and introduce yourself with a smile and a firm handshake. Make eye contact when you are in the interview, and demonstrate you are paying attention to your interviewee. You can also go far by picking up on clues in the other person's office about his or her likes, dislikes and interests, and acting accordingly. Does he or she have a college memento on the desk? If so, try to strike up a conversation about the school. You can have all the right answers, but they will go nowhere without a little charm and personality.

　　5. Treat everyone like they're CEO.

　　Remember that all contact with a company is important. Are you working hard to impress the CEO, but snubbing his or her assistant? If you want to effectively market yourself, pay attention to the contact you have with everyone.

　　6. Keep yourself top of mind.

　　If you were marketing a new brand of cola, you would do everything you could to keep the brand in front of consumers. Repetition works, so make sure your name comes up repeatedly. Write thank-you letters. Call to follow up. Attend networking functions. Your job isn't done just because the interview is over. In fact, sometimes the marketing you do away from the interview can make all the difference.