Another day, another cool infographic about social media and job search. Recruiters, employers, and job seekers are all out there using social networks. But what do people think about using LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for career purposes? Our friends at Jobvite commissioned a study of 2,049 adults aged over 18 across the US, asking them…
No matter what sphere of life you talk about, coaching has plenty of benefits to offer everyone. Even the best soccer players need expert coaches for continued improvement. Likewise, you need to have a career coach to improve your efficiency in the professional world. Career coaches can provide you expert advice on how to plan…
Personal branding keeps growing in importance, you can barely go online without reading about it. We are now at a stage where most professionals and business owners really need to dedicate time and effort to strengthen their own brands as a part of their daily routine.
With business being ever more competitive, your best way of staying ahead of the pack is to stand out and have a unique brand amongst peers. In the end, it’s all about what you are known for. Others should be able to say what your unique promise of value is once they see you or your name.
Here are 5 great reasons for creating and building your personal brand:
1. Grow your network (expand your business horizons)
Expanding your network is hugely important to business success, it opens up avenues you never thought of. When you have a strong brand you will notice that people want to know you and help out any way they can. Your personal brand works like a magnet and it attracts like minded people which can be very useful for your business or career, just like you can be useful to them. Networking is all about karma, help others and they will help you.
2. Attract opportunities (inbound marketing)
As a result of your expanded network and you having a strong presence online, not only will people help you but some will actually have relevant opportunities for you. This could be a customer referral, a joint venture, co-writing a book, a new job or an investment in your business. Your personal brand demonstrates success and that is what others will be looking to tap in to.
3. Establish credibility (be the expert)
Your personal brand is your unique promise of value and as long as you add this value to others on a consistent basis, you are gaining trust and credibility. This trust will be your best and cheapest promotional activity, as word travels fast when you do great work. Let your customers be your fans and become your brand ambassadors.
4. Increase your online clout (yes, it’s spelt that way)
As you build your personal brand, you will notice that you get a loyal following online. This following will put you in a position of influence, as others listen to what you have to say. You can turn your clout into business as long as you do it in an authentic and trustworthy manner.
5. Securing work (gigs, projects, assignments, jobs)
A magnetic brand will ensure that you keep busy. You and your services will always be in demand, as long as you live up to your personal brand. This is a good comfort in case your workplace is facing downsizing, or one of your biggest clients are in financial distress. There is little you can do about external factors but you can rest assured that your strong brand will help you attract other opportunities instead.
Bottom line
Your name is your greatest asset and will stay with you for the rest of your life. Transforming it into a personal brand that others will recognize and appreciate is your best strategy for long-term success in business. By standing out from the crowd and showing the world how unique you are, you will be equipped to tell your customers why they should choose you instead of the competition. Remember, the stronger your personal brand, the more likely you will be to have a great demand for your services and you will be in a position to charge a premium for it.
Check out Personal Branding from the Inside Out to accelerate your personal marketing!
Image credit M31
Do you know what happens with your resume when you apply for jobs online? Employers receive a steady stream of applications from job seekers for each open position through their applicant tracking systems (ATS). This automates the flow of applications and does some of the screening before a human even takes a look at your…
Although many resolutions are focused on personal development—like losing weight or quitting smoking—many of them are catered toward professional development, such as getting a promotion or finding a better job. Since New Year’s resolutions are notorious for being abandoned by February, it’s important to approach your professional goals with a concrete plan within your reach.…
Did you ever stop to think about how much having a job actually costs you? Here’s a clue: It ain’t cheap. Think about how much you spend on your train tickets or petrol, how much you fork out for your daily lattes and those overpriced lunches at the organic cafe round the corner from the office.
Before you get your spreadsheets out, have a look at this infographic compiled by Guardian Jobs on the price of living and working in the UK. Some of the key findings are:
• The average salary in London is £33,899, the average salary in the UK is 26% lower at £26,978
• The average person in a job has spent 8 years, 7 months and 2 hours of their life working
• The average annual cost of peak-time train pass with tube travel is a whopping £6,000
• A coffee from Costa, Starbucks or Caffe Nero will range from £1.40 to £2.50
• If you made instant coffee instead, you could save £888.61 annually
• A daily sandwich will on average cost £2.49 at Pret a Manger
• If you make your own sandwiches you could save £261
• Finally, the average monthly rent in the UK is £713, in London it’s £1,202
In conclusion, if you want to save money for your retirement make sure you make your own sandwiches, sip Nescafe, get a bicyle and live far away from London…
The Swedes are brilliant recruiters. Even when they are down under and use an advertising agency. In this case The Monkeys (agency) helped the Sydney, Australia IKEA store recruit new employees with an innovative method.
The concept
Career instructions were printed and placed inside the famous IKEA flat packs. Customers literally delivered the mailer to themselves. They could then also share it with friends and family. Not only did it talk directly to those who love the brand, it created a whole new media channel â the flat packs themselves.
The results
The result was no less than 4285 applications filled with 280 of those hired, all the while the project incurred no cost of its own. Very clever idea and on top of the new hires, it certainly got IKEA and their agency lots of free exposure. A very good recruitment case study in other words. Perhaps something for Home Depot, B&Q, Homebase and Brico Depot to emulate?
There is no denying that LinkedIn is one powerful tool for networking, business development, and word-of-mouth marketing. Those that use it frequently tend to sing the praises of LinkedIn all the way to the bank. There are however a few different schools of thought as to how one should use LinkedIn. 1) Open networker (or…
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7 Surprisingly Useful Job Search Tips
Getting a job in today’s economy is no easy challenge. You may not be able to land a job even after weeks or months of job search. This is because most job seekers use specific strategies to stay ahead of the competition. If you don’t want to be left behind in the race, you also…