Branding and Employee Communication
Job hunting is no easy task. In today's competitive market there are thousands of career opportunities available to those willing to take a chance and go after them. However, the benefits far outweigh the potential risks when it comes to leveraging your personal brand in lieu of a traditional job search. You don't need a college degree or years of experience, but you should be prepared with solid credentials and a resume that outlines your professional history and extensive work experience if you want that dream job before anyone else does!
In this article we'll discuss how your personal branding can help make all the difference during a job hunting process, as well as provide examples from companies who have benefited from taking advantage of this tactic.
1. TAKE A RISK
The benefits of a personal branding campaign are well documented. This is an investment of time and money that will yield results, making it worth the effort even if you're competing against hundreds of other applicants for a single job opening.
At the end of the day, your personal brand serves as your reputation on the Internet and in social media – this is critical when you're trying to get noticed for jobs at fast-paced organizations who don't have time for manual resumes or endless questionnaires (remember, they will have hired someone else by now).
What you perceive to be a risk may be actually a blessing in disguise once you see the positive results and get that dream job!
2. DON'T KEEP YOUR PERSONAL BRAND A SECRET
Have you ever found yourself silently screaming: "Why don't I have an online presence when I know so many amazing people who do?" It's time to stop living in the dark. The truth is, your personal brand requires that you thrive on social media and establish a presence there if you want to maximize your chances of obtaining a new job or finding a new position within your company.
The best way to accomplish this is to start building your presence on these platforms today and become an active Twitter user, participate in LinkedIn groups and build your Facebook page. If you need help getting started or have questions about how to present yourself online, ask me or schedule an appointment with the Social Media Team for personalized consultations.
3. PROMOTE YOUR BRAND
The way you promote your personal branding will be highly dependent on what kind of job you're looking for, but the basics remain the same. Never write a generic application that requires employers to guess what makes you a great fit – instead, use precise language and give them specific examples of previous work experiences that demonstrate your skillset and motivation.
For example, if you're applying for a job as a web developer, refer to examples of your past work that demonstrate your skillset in the field and proofread your resume to avoid any grammatical mistakes that could make you lose credibility as an applicant. For more tips on crafting a great personal branding campaign, check out our blog post on how to write your first blog post – and we'll connect on LinkedIn!
To get started, why not ask yourself these questions:
1.) Who do I want to be known as? What makes me special? What personal qualities and accomplishments have led me to where I am today? Begin writing down the answers to these questions and add them to your LinkedIn profile.
2.) What are my specific goals in life? Connecting with people, jobs that interest me, a new lifestyle or traveling the world? The answers to these questions will help you identify what kind of content you should post on your social media networks and LinkedIn.
3.) How do I want to be remembered by others? The time spent building your personal brand should be an investment in yourself and the clientele you represent – be sure to include these details in both your professional profile and personal profile so that employers can know more about what makes you unique.
4. DEFINE YOUR CHARACTER
What makes you different? What do you stand for? How is your personal brand connected to your beliefs, ideals and philosophies? There are no limits to the words you can use to describe yourself, which makes this step of your branding campaign one of the most important. Remember that employers can see every word that comes out of your mouth as well as what words you choose not to write!
The best way for you to answer these questions is by listening to your gut and writing them down on a piece of paper. There are also dozens of great books and other resources that can help you in this journey. Once you have answered these questions, focus on building your brand through the positive words and phrases that represent yourself.
EXAMPLES:
What I Stand For: Determination, Loyalty, Professionalism, Respect and Impactful Results.
Brand Name: Branding Wizard – Mike Holtz is a Personal Branding Guru who helps job seekers and small business owners learn how to market themselves through their personal branding campaigns. He has been featured in Forbes as a LinkedIn expert.
Brand Character: Mike is a strategist, entrepreneur and visionary who surrounds himself with like-minded professionals that challenge him to think differently. He doesn't bow to peer pressure and is able to remain positive, even in the face of adversity.
Mike Holtz's Personal Branding Strategy
5. PERSONAL BRANDING IS A PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT
What's the best part about your personal brand? You can change it whenever you want or need to! Once you create a strong presence online and build relationships with other professionals in your field of interest, you'll begin receiving job offers without having to worry about whether or not anyone will hire you. You'll be in demand as a sought-after personal branding expert and will no longer have to search for work.
The key to personal branding is being different. The secret to success is finding that one thing that makes you unique. Once you find it, promote yourself and watch the offers come pouring in!
"Success leaves clues." – Tony Robbins
Brand Yourself Like A Boss!
About the Author: Mike has been an entrepreneur since childhood when he was featured on national television for his entrepreneurial achievements. He's built and sold multiple companies, including a successful international network that grew from $500 million to over $2 billion in revenue in only 4 years. His success has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur and NBC news among others. He is the author of several books including The Ultimate Solution: A Proven Plan For Finding And Making Money At Home.
Want to know more about how you could reach your next level of success? Click here to schedule an appointment with Mike Holtz or contact him at mike@mikeholtzonline.com!
The Social Media Team will get back to you within 48 hours on all inquiries related to social media and the personal branding process.
Conclusion
If you're looking for your first job or a new position, it's time to change your perspective on personal branding and recognize it as a professional investment that pays off in the long run. Choose your own words carefully and use them to shape the way others see you! Your online presence will be crucial in the years to come – make sure that your personal brand is a reflection of you as an individual.
What tips do you have for branding yourself? Share in the comments below!
This guest post was written by Mike Holtz.