Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Personal Branding Can Help You Get A Job

We’ve all had that experience when we’re running late for a job interview and you just throw on the clothes at the side of the bed and run out the door – haven’t we? – Either way, I think it’s fair to say, we all know that this methodology is probably not going to get us to the shortlisting of said job.

So, what are the important considerations that we should make when job hunting?

One important criteria we hear again and again from employers is ‘personal branding’

What does that mean and how can you get it?

Starting with the basics; personal branding is best defined as a way a person promotes themselves, be it in person (like at and during an interview), in content (in your application or CV), or externally (through your social networking).

It’s fair to say that most job-seekers are not proactive in establishing and building their ‘personal brand’, mainly because it takes commitment and hard work, but – it’s worth it – once, you build that personal brand, you'll have an easier time landing that perfect job, and you'll have a platform for business development and relationship building for years to come.

What are the benefits?

Well, without stating the obvious (getting a job!), a personal brand can also work to demonstrate your accomplishments and make it easier to connect with others (wouldn’t it be useful to have a relationship with someone who works there or knows the company you are looking to apply for? Think recommendations when it comes to being put forward for interview)

How can you build a personal brand?

This is the fun part! It’s true, building a personal brand does take time and effort, but follow our simple tips and you’ll soon be landing your dream job;

Let’s start with your CV – make sure you check it for things such as grammar, spelling – this is known to be one of the key ‘bug-bears’ of businesses – and with the likes of Microsoft Word, there really is no excuse.
Ensure you match your skills with that of the application – what is the employer looking for? If it doesn’t say in the job advert, look at other jobs similar and customise your application towards the main skills/ attributes
Be honest – honesty is key, while all employers expect a small amount of ‘exaggeration’ they will not expect you to blatantly falsify information (remember too that most firms are happy to provide some training, so don’t be alarmed if you don’t have all the skills of the job!)
In your interview presentation is key – that means both being well-dressed (and smelling nice_, through to turning up on-time, speaking clearly and engaging with the interviewees (ask questions)
Online – more and more employers now are searching for candidates online, as part of the application process – so it’s even more vital for you to ensure you are professional online, even through your own personal Facebook or Twitter accounts. There’s nothing more off-putting than a Twitter profile of a drunken person or swearing/ bad spelling in their last tweets!

Remember that if you are job-seeking your digital presence should be reflective of this and always, always think before you post – you never know, your next job could count on it!

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