Marketing Your Personal Brand
"Think of branding as a way of marketing your own skills and experience," says Hanna, Senior Recruiter at Comcast. "It's what people say about you when you're not in the room."
Once you've established your brand, use it to set yourself apart from others in your field - grabbing the attention of recruiters and potential employers in a competitive job market. Below, Hanna shares some tips on how to market your brand.
Have an Elevator Pitch Ask yourself “What would you like to be known for? What do you represent?" Write 1-2 sentences about who you are and what you bring to the table.
Establish Your Expertise Showcase your skills and knowledge in your field.
E.g., John, a sales rep at XYZ Company, has a passion for data & analytics. He takes the initiative to create a sales report illustrating the team’s monthly sales production vs. goals. John sends it to his manager, who thinks it’s valuable, and requests the report weekly. The report is then shared with other leaders across various business units. John has now branded himself as an expert in sales reporting. Eventually, a Sales Reporting Analyst position is posted internally within the company. He applies and is offered the job!Share Your Knowledge Share your knowledge on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn & Twitter, and use these platforms to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge. For example, if you are a Java Programmer and have a passion for training, you can create a video on YouTube “How-To: Java Programming for Beginners”. Using LinkedIn, you can create an amazing profile that includes your accomplishments. Or, if you are a Graphic Designer, include a link to your website that shows your work.
Have a Business Card This is a great way to market your brand as a job seeker. Make sure to have professional photo of yourself, your contact information, and brand statement.
Reinforce Your Brand Throughout the Job Seeking Process
- A well-branded resume should include your unique skills, accomplishments, and elevator pitch.
- Be prepared to market yourself when the recruiter calls. Branding starts from “Hello”.
- During the interview, brand yourself as the right candidate for the role by showcasing your skills, experience, and accomplishments relevant to the role you are applying for.
- Once the job has been offered and accepted, your conduct following is also important to your brand. Tasks such as email correspondence to the recruiter, timeliness in completing required background check info, etc., should remain professional at all times.
