How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job Search

How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job SearchHow to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job SearchYoure in the midst of your job hunt, and you consider yourself pretty savvy about how to approach employers that interest you. Youve even ramped up your networking and have conducted some informational interviews. However, in your research, you keep seeing the term personal branding. It seems that understanding this holy grail term is the answer to landing your dream job, and you just dont get it. What is personal branding, and why is understanding it important to job seekers?As a concept, personal branding is not new. In fact, Tom Peters first coined it in an article for um ein haar Company magazine in 1997. He admonished readers to recognize that each one of them, knowingly or unknowingly, owned his or her own brand. He remarked that we are each free agents, responsible for focusing on our skills and learning how to stand out. People often misinterpret personal branding and b elieve it is a self-centered, conceited approach and that your personal brand is all about you. While your brand represents you- its effectively your reputation- identifying and living your personal brand involves more than self-reflection.Consider these suggestions when youre identifying and marketing your personal brandIts all about you.To start, you need to look at yourself with a critical eye. What is unique and special about you? What is your story? (This is the self-reflection piece of the program. Its short lived.) What do people think about when your name comes up? Remember, your personal brand is effectively your reputation. Are you hardworking? A subject-matter expert? Unreliable? How do these perceptions fit (or not fit) your goal brand?If you do not focus on identifying your fruchtwein interesting and valuable characteristics and determine what you want people to think about you, youll miss the opportunity to influence your own personal brand.Identify what characteristic s and skills are most valuable for the jobs and organizations that interest you.For this item, you need to look beyond your own skills and interests. For example, its great if you are the absolute best pipe cleaner artist on the planet, but if your goal organizations dont value that expertise, its not an ideal part of your brand to perpetuate. Dont make a big job seeker mistake. Its up to you to investigate and determine what your audience wants to know about you and what they value in an employee. Research job descriptions and keep up with the buzz in your field to be sure you know what characteristics and accomplishments are most crucial.Develop and enhance skills you identify. Do you need to improve in any of the areas where you want to be well-known? Should you take a class or can you get involved in some self-directed study to make sure you are up to date on key subjects that matter in your field? The www is replete with opportunities to learn new things, so there are no excuse s for being left behind.Check out the competition.Dont forget, your success depends, in part, on how you stack up to everyone else who has similar skills and accomplishments. Keep an eye on your colleagues and leaders in your field. What can you do to move into their level of expertise and influence?Feature what you know online. One way to influence what people think about you is by taking your expertise online. Use social media to get the word out. Post updates to LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+ that demonstrate you know whats going on in your field. Comment on the news of the day and communicate your expertise to your digital contacts.Showcase what you know in real life.Can you volunteer to help an organization overcome its obstacles or get involved in your professional organization? One of the best ways to perpetuate your personal brand is to showcase what you know by serving other people. Your colleagues will also appreciate you providing your expertise and assistance.Build relat ionships. Between your online and in-person colleagues, you have many opportunities to forge alliances and help other people. Keep in mind your personal brand isnt worth the paper its written on if people arent aware of how you can help them and what skills you provide. When you make an extra effort to extend yourself to others, youll be living your personal brand and your relationships will help enhance and promote your reputation.Readers, want to learn more about personal branding? Sign up for the webinar How to Make Personal Branding Work for Your Job Search, with expert tips from Miriam Salpeter