Career & Life Coaching

Branding is a process started by large corporations like Nike as part of a marketing strategy in the 1980′s. It is a concept which had them selling their customers an image and an idea. Soon, along with the pair of running shoes you were buying, you were also buying into the concept, and “just doing it”; and your Bell telephone service isn’t just about a tool, it’s about the way we are all connected. Advertising has become less about the product and more about the feeling the company wants you to associate with what they sell.

Branding isn’t just for companies. People in all walks of life and various career stages are starting to use career tips like self branding to get ahead. Like a company and its products in the marketplace, self-branding means looking at yourself as a winning brand. It’s being aware of the things that set you apart from everyone else and make you memorable and unique – your skills, abilities, personality traits. Being self-aware means you become clear about what you stand for and what you have to offer. Doing a good job is no longer good enough to guarantee your career will go well.

Branding yourself means you become associated with what sets you apart from others and the added value you bring to a job, business, or situation. Self-branding demands self-awareness and communicates that you feel comfortable in your own skin. When you know what you’ve got to offer, you become powerful and intentional about how you communicate that through the quality of service you provide. You are your most important asset. Self-branding provides direction and clarity of purpose for how you work, not just what you do for a living.
Because you are self-aware and focused, the benefits of branding are many.

Self-branding:

As a result, you will:

Personal branding is the strategy behind the world’s most successful people like Oprah, Madonna, Donald Trump, Richard Branson, and Bill Gates. It demands commitment to what you value, consistency in what you deliver, and the guts to market who you are. It is the difference between an ordinary career or business and an exceptional one. Now you know one of the most important career tips. Get clear on the brand “You”, and be faithful to it.

Recommended Resources:

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

This September I spent two days doing Resume Assessment at The National Job Fair and Training Expo in Toronto. 400 Job Seekers received free resume assessments from nine Resume Writers. There was a 2-3 hour wait for this service that was available from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Since a resume is critical to our employment success, waiting a few hours for professional advice wasn’t a big deal to most people.

Although no one gets hired solely on the basis of a resume, many job seekers miss the opportunity of an interview because of an inadequate resume. Your resume can (and should) have a distinct personality to it. It should separate you from all the people applying to land that dream job. Be unique!

A lot of people think a generalized resume describing everything they have ever done is a great way to show their experience and skills. This is not true. You should only include information that is useful to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a variety of positions, write more than one resume. To make this process easier, start with a general resume, and use it as a template by cutting and pasting the most relevant information for the different positions.

Style of Resumes

There are two basic resume styles: Chronological and Skill Based.

The most popular style for resumes is the Chronological Resume. It provides a job-by-job listing of each position you have held starting with your most recent. Use a Chronological Resume if you have consistent work history, and your job titles are supportive of your objective.

If you are making a career change, and your title and work history don’t match your job objective, use a Skill Based Resume. A Skill Based Resume should also be used if you have gaps in employment, a short work history, your skills are transferable, your most recent experience doesn’t support your objective, or you have an erratic work history.

Simple Crucial Resume Writing Tips

* Know your audience before you begin writing your resume. Your resume must be consistent with the position you are pursuing.

* Choose your language carefully and proofread. Your resume must be free of spelling, grammar, punctuation, or typographical errors.

* Tailor your resume to your prospective employer’s needs – highlight the skills and abilities that will make you an attractive candidate.

* Your resume should answer the potential employer’s questions, “Why should I hire you?” in 20 seconds or less.

* Focus on your expertise, abilities, and accomplishments.

* Use bullets. They make a resume more reader-friendly if used consistently.

* Describe your roles and accomplishment with strong action words and key terms that will grab attention.

* Keep all descriptions short. Descriptions should generally take up no more than three to four lines on the page. Full sentences are not necessary, however, be consistent with punctuation.

Length of a resume

There is no “rule of thumb” for resume length. For an experienced job seeker, a one-page resume may be too short and even look to “entry-level”. A properly designed, well-written, two-page resume would be far better. Your resume is your marketing tool. Can you market yourself on a one page resume or will you need two or three pages to include your best skills, accomplishments, and experiences?

Note: In every resume, the first 10-15 lines are the most important. They will motivate a recruiter to read on or to stop. Longer resumes need to be carefully designed to “sell” you up front.

The real cost of writing a basic or weak resume is valuable time and thousands of dollars in missed opportunities.

When you walk into a job interview, the product you are selling is YOU. The interview process begins when you accept the interview, and ends when the employer decides to either hire you or look for someone more suitable. The more you are able to communicate professionalism with personality, distinction and skill, the better your chance of getting the job.

Before the Interview:

Use the 3 P’s – Plan, Prepare, and Practice

1. Prepare for the interview; research the company and prepare questions based on your research.

2. Do mock interviews in order to prepare for all questions, especially uncomfortable ones.

3. Dress professionally even if the company dress code is business casual.

4. Arrive early! (12-15 minutes before the interview)

5. Give your interviewer a firm handshake. A powerful handshake and a genuine smile will get you off to a good start.

6. Beware of your Body Language; sit erect, stand and walk with confidence, lean forward toward the interviewer.

7. Build rapport – use powerful, effective communication techniques.

8. Be a good listener. Answer only what’s asked, in a brief but effective manor.

9. Show enthusiasm and sincere interest. Don’t act desperate.

10. Take notes. You may need to refer to them later in the interview.

11. Communicate your skills, qualifications, credentials and the benefits you offer.

12. Demonstrate your accomplishments; how you improve sales, reduce costs, improve productivity, solve organizational problems, etc.

13. Make eye contact. It demonstrates confidence, trust, and power.

14. If you want the position, ask for it – directly.

After the Interview:

15. Send a follow-up thank you letter. The letter should state what interests you about the position, why you are suitable for the job, and your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.