What is a personal brand, and how does it tie to job hunting? Many consider their personal brand a digital footprint of their life. If this is true, then how can this be helpful when searching for a job? For years, businesses have been using a job candidate's "digital footprint" to help them make a decision about hiring.
The fact is, personal branding is nothing more than marketing yourself, the same way a company would market itself to its customers. Your personal brand includes all aspects of your life - online presence, real world experiences, and more. The connection between your personal brand and your job hunt should be easy to understand - companies are looking to hire people that are a great fit for their existing culture and have the necessary skills.
A potential employer will want to know "you" before the hire, and what better way to understand you and your "brand," then to find everything they can about you, whether online or offline. Here are some ways you can build your personal brand, before you begin your job search:
- Social Media - almost everyone uses some form of social media today. The problem with this is, that everything you post on social media is public - even to a potential employer. Make sure that everything you post will cast you in the light you wish to be seen in - show character and integrity. If you post inappropriate photos and posts, you may be building a personal brand you do not want, and hiring managers will stay clear of you. Be mindful of what you post!
- Online Presence - social media is just one method of building an online presence. It is important that you build a positive online presence, so potential employers will get a well-rounded impression of you. If you have written papers, consider publishing them online. Consider joining and commenting on blogs that relate to your career path. You might even wish to develop your own website.
- Real World Presence - just as important as your online presence, your real world presence is often looked at just as closely. Do you volunteer? Are you an avid runner? Are you a sports nut? Whatever you do in the real world is also a part of your personal brand. Remember that your everyday actions reflect on your brand and can have an effect on whether a potential employer will hire you.
As you can see, your actions online and offline can affect your chances of landing your dream job. There is a connection between your personal brand and your job search. If you want to improve your job hunting chances, consider following the tips above. Remember, your personal brand is your marketing campaign for YOU!
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