Personal Branding 2009 style

I love the idea of personal branding and what it can do to help one do within their careers, social and classrooms settings.  Right now, to most of us personal branding is just a word. I believe it is the cure for surviving the downward economy.  There are 3 times more jobseekers than open positions! Predictions suggest that the economy will get a lot worst before there is a turnaround. Some have even suggested that we will hit a double digit unemployment rate this summer. It is apparent that the fewer jobs there are, the more competition there is. From my experience working with Job seekers, it is extremely hard to even get an interview in today’s economy.

Resume after resume are placed in the front of recruiters. Some will make the cut while others will be tossed away.  How do we get into the pile they read? How do we set ourselves apart? Personal Branding is the answer. We are the products that are sold to employers. What makes your product different from someone else?  Knowing the product well along the characteristics of it and how the employer would benefit from it is. If you understand both the product and target well you will be able to sell it with the right mediums.

One of the biggest challenges with creating and maintain a personal brand is managing it over your career.  It is important to be consistent in everything you do. An online presence is required these days.  Remember one bad interaction with someone can lead to negative word-of-mouth potentially further damage to the brand you work so hard to develop and market.

I read an article about how Personal Branding is moving in the classroom. College teachers and career advisers are teaching the importance of Personal Branding and Social media. I am sure this can only get bigger as it the results come in.  

 

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