Its really tough - I get it.
How do you market yourself in a market that seems to dissolve a little bit more everyday. You've taken the first step by coming here. Most job seekers, just blanket the market with generic resumes. OK - may have worked when things are good. Most job-seekers are not proactive in establishing and building their personal brand, letting their actions speak for them when seeking a promotion or a new job. But why not take the time to master some very basic tactics that can help build your personal brand and make you a much more attractive employee or job-seeker? Remember, if you don't brand yourself, others will for you. And while you may be happy and secure in your job now, you really never know when that will change.
As a marketer myself with more than 15 years of experience, I can tell you "mass marketing" isn't necessarily the best ROI on building your personal brand - and ultimately getting the job you want.
Can you answer these questions?
1. When was the last time you Googled yourself? If it hasn't been recently, do it now. Because I can almost guarantee anyone that is interested in you - has.
2. Do you have a common name? Like Mark Smith. Try differentiating yourself by including your middle initial. But you need to do it everywhere and all the time.
3. Are you consistent with the use of your credentials? Consistency is critical in the development of your brand.
4. If you haven't yet gotten onto Web 2.0 do it now. Create your profile on Linkedin and Facebook or any other social networking site that is specific to your profession or industry.
5. Do you have a personal website? It is becoming more and more common. Its a great way to promote, stay up to date, be searchable and provides a canvas for non static media (ie: video, flash, etc).
"It is not enough to understand what we ought to be, unless we know what we are; and we do not understand what we are, unless we know what we ought to be." T. S. Eliot
So you've realized that maybe you don't have a complete handle on how your "personal brand" is interpreted or understood in the market. That's OK. Most people don't even get this close.
I'm not going to give you all the tips and info here - its too much info and realistically too cumbersome for go really go into depth here.
But, what I will do, is offer some preliminary options for you to at least think about while you consider your Personal marketing campaign."
1. Set your resume aside. Its great, served its purpose and is a good indicator of what you've done. But its not you. You need to figure out what you want people to "take-away" from you. From your online presence to personal interactions. Again - way too deep a topic for here, but hopefully its a thought starter for you.
2. Map out your objectives, strategies and tactics. This isn't really any different than the last marketing campaign you executed. What companies are you targeting, what industries, how do you create awareness, penetration and stay top of mind.
3. Be succinct. Whatever you do, do it consistently - everywhere. You can't be the next marketing genius on Linkedin if your last drunken Vegas adventure is on MySpace. Be careful what gets online - stays there forever. No do-over's or mulligan's here.
OK - so you realize that the old resume blanketing strategy may not work this time. Your realize you may be in over your head in developing websites, BLOG's, profile, developing your personal brand etc.
That's where SwanStaffing comes in.
With my help, we'll help develop your brand. We'll help with your objectives, strategies and tactics.
We can:
1. Build your resume
2. Build your personal website
3. Build your online presence
4. Hone interviewing (auditioning) skills
In effect, offer end-to-end career counseling. I do this on a one-on-one basis as well as group sessions.
On my "Career Counseling" page I provide more information and tools to help you build increase your presence and personal brand
Subscribe to my Fresh Jobs BLOGSee all of the positions I'm currently helping others to fill - as well as review the positions I've helped to fill over the past few months. Its a good idea to either check back every week or better yet subscribe to my BLOG to get updates as I ad positions.
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