Value of a Personal Brand
by Louise KursmarkI’m a bit late to the party, finally getting around to reading Never Eat Alone, the consummate book on networking by Keith Ferrazzi. Lots of valuable information here – especially pertaining to long-term career management and the value of relationship-building.
I came across a concise summation of the value of branding:
“Good personal brands do three highly significant things for your network of contacts: They provide a credible, distinctive, and trustworthy entity. They project a compelling message. They attract more and more people to you and your cause, as you’ll stand out in an increasingly cluttered world.”
In a nutshell, there’s your rationale for clarifying and communicating your brand in your resume and other career marketing messages. Too many people try to create a resume with all the “right” information when instead it should contain “your” information. What makes you unique and distinctive? Shout it out!
Career Management, Recommended Resources March 13th, 2009
March 14th, 2009 at 6:05 am
You’re right about the importance of a personal brand and in an active job search, it is even more important. When a hiring manager or recruiter reviews candidates, they might look at dozens or hundreds at a time. Few will be memorable. A clear, concise personal brand, demonstrated in a cover letter, resume and interviews will help the job seeker make an impression that sticks.
March 19th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Hi, Gary – thanks for your comment. You have pinpointed the true value of a well-defined personal brand: it sticks! I see so many resumes that are bland and formulaic, I don’t know how hiring authorities tell one candidate from another. How refreshing it is to see one that’s different – with a distinctive tone and clearly articulated value. It makes the candidate instantly memorable.