When I graduated as a graphic designer, the road to employment was pretty straightforward:
- Put a resumé together (and, in my case, a portfolio)
- Check the local papers and industry publications for jobs
- Provide references (if you make it that far)
- Wait for the phone to ring
Today, it’s not quite so “cut and dry”. And whether you are a recent graduate, the victim of a re-organization, re-entering the workforce, or simply looking to move up the corporate ladder, the process…and rules…have changed.
Yes, you still need a resumé.
But everything else? Well let’s just say, “We’re not in Kansas anymore!”
Today, if you’re not paying attention to your personal brand, if you’re not feeding and growing your network, you will end up starved for options.
I’ve worked both the agency and client sides, and consulted for years before joining Avanti. I bring a unique perspective having survived – and thrived – despite being a casualty of the dot-com era and a number of mergers and acquisitions.
Here are some tips and lessons learned, culled over decades of being bounced around throughout my professional journey:
Craft your personal “elevator pitch”
It should be possible to deliver the summary of “what do you do?” in the time-span of an elevator ride, approximately thirty seconds to two minutes. For example, mine is: I help B2B companies develop successful inbound lead generation and conversion programs.
Craft your story
Once you have your pitch nailed, you can expand your story and tailor it to a variety of channels including your resumé, your social media profiles, your cover letter, your website, your business card, etc. Focus on the benefits you bring to the table; don’t rehash your job duties and responsibilities. What type of impact did you have? Why should they hire you? What are you passionate about? That should shine through no matter what, particularly if you are a recent graduate with little or no previous work history in your desired field.
Grow your network…and your brand
First and foremost, if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, create one. LinkedIn is great at “nudging” you in areas that could improve your profile. Join groups, attend workshops, become a member of your local business chapter (ie: toastmasters), lead a workshop, volunteer, become a mentor, etc. The more you put yourself out there, the more connections you will make. And the more your network grows. Connect with industry leaders (but please…no cyberstalking!) Reconnect with old colleagues, or professors, or even former bosses. Write a blog, comment in groups, submit articles to industry newsletters and publications. Live your brand. And don’t forget to tune into #printchat weekly, where like-minded industry folks drop the competition shield for about an hour, and share insights and ideas with each other.
Google yourself
I don’t know any company that doesn’t do at least a cursory glance of someone’s social media profile before hiring them. What happens when you enter your name in the search bar? Is it really you showing up in the results? Is it easy to find the actual you or are you using a “handle” (ie: @seekingajob). Is there anything that comes up that you wouldn’t want your mother…or your boss…to see? Keep your business and personal “personalities” clearly defined. If you live your life on social media, this might prove a bit of a challenge…but it is definitely worth the time spent.
Reputation
Nobody wants to be mistaken for someone else, particularly if that someone else has a nefarious reputation. This is most important when you are actively seeking work, regardless whether it’s as a consultant or an employee. There are some great tools out there that help you gauge your personal online reputation and how to improve it. Do some research and spend the time ensuring that folks seeking you out can find you – and that the you they’re finding is the one you want them to find!
Remember, destiny is not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice – William Jennings Bryan