It used to be that a job search was all about a good resume and great interviewing skills, but nowadays your resume comes second to your website, and the interview begins before you even step foot in the building. Build a powerful personal brand online and in person, and you’ll make yourself unforgettable to potential employers. New to personal branding? Here are five steps to get you started:
Zero In on Your Special Ingredients
Like Coca-Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken, you need to make potential employers aware of what sets you apart from the competition – your special ingredient. Maybe you’ve got an unusual set of skills for your field, have job experience that’s a little out of the ordinary, or have volunteer experience that’s valuable. Ask friends and co-workers what sticks out about you, and start making the most of these special ingredients when crafting your resume and cover letters.
Research Your Brand
Google is the first place employers will go to find out more about you, so it pays to know what they’ll find when they search your name. If what you find says nothing about your professional life, or worse, gives a bad impression, it’s time to start rehabilitating your web presence. Set your privacy bar high on social media feeds you don’t want available to employers, then be more mindful of what you post from here on out. “Every tweet you send, every status update you make, every picture you share, contributes to your personal brand,” writes Forbes’ Shama Hyder.
Give Your Brand a Home Online
If your web presence is limited to a Facebook page and Twitter feed, it’s time to get to work creating a web presence that reflects your professional brand. Start by creating a personal website – a WordPress page will do – that features your resume and links to the professional social media accounts you maintain, such as a LinkedIn page or a professional blog.
Expand Your Brand’s Reach In Person…
Creating a personal brand isn’t all about spending hours in front of the computer. Promote yourself and your brand by putting yourself out there in the community. Join any alumni associations or local professional organizations in your field, and get involved with local service organizations that can broaden your personal and professional horizons. These are important aspects of networking, and are crucial to expanding your brand’s reach.
… And Online
Connecting with your professional contacts through your LinkedIn page and professional blog is one of the best ways to create a powerful personal brand. LinkedIn is quickly becoming a hub for professional contacts, and one of employers’ favorite means of quickly checking potential candidates out online, so take advantage of it. Follow your professional contacts’ blogs and Twitter feeds, and share and collate information you gather on blogs and feeds of your own. This is your advertising, or the way you make your brand a household name. For more tips, reach out to our experienced recruiting team today!
