You're struggling to get hired in Vendor Relations. What are the best ways to improve your chances?

2 Build your network

Networking is a key strategy to find and land a job in vendor relations, as it can help you discover hidden opportunities, get referrals, and gain insights into the industry and the company. You can network online or offline, depending on your preference and availability. Online, you can use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or industry-specific forums to connect with other professionals, join groups, share content, and comment on relevant posts. Offline, you can attend events, workshops, seminars, or conferences related to vendor relations, where you can meet and exchange contacts with potential employers, mentors, or peers.

3 Showcase your portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of work samples that demonstrate your skills and abilities in vendor relations. It can include documents, reports, contracts, proposals, presentations, testimonials, or case studies that you created or worked on in your previous or current roles. A portfolio can help you stand out from other candidates, as it can show your creativity, innovation, and impact in vendor relations. You can create a digital portfolio using tools like Google Sites, WordPress, or Behance, or a physical portfolio using a binder or a folder. Make sure your portfolio is organized, relevant, and updated.

4 Learn new skills

Learning new skills can help you improve your vendor relations expertise, as well as broaden your horizons and increase your value to potential employers. You can learn new skills through formal or informal education, depending on your needs and goals. Formal education can include courses, certificates, or degrees offered by accredited institutions or organizations, such as colleges, universities, or professional associations. Informal education can include self-directed learning, online courses, podcasts, books, blogs, or webinars. Some of the skills that can benefit you in vendor relations are project management, data analysis, financial literacy, and cross-cultural communication.

5 Practice your interview

An interview is your chance to convince the employer that you are the best fit for the vendor relations role. To ace your interview, you need to prepare and practice beforehand. You can research the company, the industry, and the role, and anticipate the questions that you might be asked. You can also prepare some questions that you want to ask the employer, to show your interest and enthusiasm. You can practice your interview skills with a friend, a mentor, or a coach, or use online tools like Interview Simulator or Pramp. You can also record yourself and review your performance, and identify your strengths and areas for improvement.