Creating a One-of-a-Kind Position: The Employer Proposal

It's possible to create a job, with no competition, that only you can fill. For instance, a copywriter who wants to leave the world of advertising agencies might decide that his or her skills would help law and accounting firms produce better marketing materials and business proposals.

There are several steps involved in creating a one-of-a-kind position. First, you gather industry-specific information to assess your prospective employers' needs, business environment, and competition. In Beyond Traditional Job Development, Denise Bissonnette recommends asking these questions as you proceed:

• What skills do I have that will motivate this employer to develop a working relationship with me?
• What resources and opportunities does this business offer that will motivate me to develop a business relationship with it?

Then you develop a formal, written proposalto market yourself to your targeted industry. Your proposal should be a detailed business plan answering questions the employer is likely to ask, including the following:

• How much time and effort will this involve? What amount of resources will be needed? What are the initial costs? What are the hidden costs?
• How will this person save or make money for us?
• What are the opportunities associated with this proposal?
• What are the risks associated with this proposal?
• Does this proposal fit in with or expand our mission?
• How credible is this person? What qualifies this person to perform the proposed services for us?
• How successful has this approach been for other firms or companies?
• What might I gain or lose from giving this person a chance?

Your proposal should also present a first-year budget, including equipment and resources required, salary and benefits for yourself (and staff, if required), expected expenses, and other costs. If possible, demonstrate the projected incomethat will offset these expenses- a cost-benefit analysis.

As Bissonnette says, your value "is determined by the employer's perception of what you have to offer, not by what you do well. [You] need to identify the wants and needs of potential employers, then . . . see how you can meet those needs. Marketing experts call this nichemanship-carving a niche where your talents and strengths meet the needs and wants of the business."