Personal Branding

Your Career Brand: Who Are You? Employers Want to Know.

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The legendary rock band The Who posed the immortal question: “Who are you?” They aren’t the only ones who want to know. Potential employers and network connections will ask you the same thing and you need to be ready with an answer that makes you look good and stand out from the crowd.

Here’s what typically happens at networking events. I was the keynote speaker for a group of financial leaders, primarily Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). Before my presentation, individuals were asked to introduce themselves briefly. The introductions sounded like this:

“Hello, I’m John Smith, and I’ve been a CFO for 25 years…”

“Hello, I’m Mike Miller, and I’ve been a CFO for 17 years…”

“Hello, I’m Fred Jones, and I’ve been a CFO for 22 years…”

While I’ve changed the names and varied years of experience, the introduction phrases are real. If an employer wanted to hire one of them, they’d sure want to know more information.

Sometimes when we’re in a group or working with fellow professionals, colleagues or students, we fall into the “group think” mode: “Well, John said his name, title, and years of experience, that’s what I should do.”

Instead, think about what sets you apart. When all things are nearly equal (like years of experience, education, job duties), it’s your personal brand, who you are, that sets you apart, and those are the reasons an employer will hire you.

As one Staffing Industry CEO told me, “Companies want to know what kind of contribution you can make to their success – not how many years you’ve been working.”

Not only do your achievements with quantifiable results set you apart, soft skills do too. One Labor Relations Director told me she hires for attitude over skill every time. “You can always teach a skill, but never an attitude,” she said. And she is not alone.

Here are some questions to ask yourself in order to help you identify your differentiators:

• What makes me a star? Translation for employers: “Why should I hire you?”

• What are my greatest strengths? If you’re not sure, go on an Attribute Treasure Hunt™. Survey your closest friends, family, and colleagues and ask them what they feel are your greatest strengths. Then ask them what three words come to mind when they think of you. Their feedback will give you a great head start on identifying your brand attributes and differentiators.

• What are my top five greatest achievements of all time? What are the skills, abilities, and values used to achieve them? What’s the common thread running through each?

Answering these and similar questions can help you identify your personal brand. By knowing who you are, what you want, and what makes you unique, you will be able to clearly communicate your goals and unique value to people in your network and to potential employers. (For more questions to help you uncover your brand and other job-getting tips, check out “Rock Your Job Search™”.)

As for my group of finance executives, luckily, my presentation was about how to create an effective sound bite (elevator pitch). Needless to say, attendees took action. I look forward to hearing about the personal branding action you take next and your results. Go get ‘em!

® 2011 Wendy Terwelp | All rights reserved.

Social Media Can Get You HIRED

Wendy Terwelp 3 Comments

Can social media help you get hired faster? YES, if you use it the right way.

Laura Gainor

Laura Gainor did. In March, Laura Gainor saw a job posting on Twitter for a position at Comet Branding in Milwaukee, WI. Based on the ad, Gainor launched a social media campaign, which landed her the gig in less than 30 days.

Gainor identified the company, did her research, and launched her campaign based on what she learned about the organization. She used all elements of social media to make her pitch as to why she was the best candidate for the role – and it worked.

Recruiter Todd Nilson (Twitter Handle: @talentline411) regularly posts job openings on Twitter. When asked if it works, he said (via Twitter), “So far so good. I get some kind people RTing [retweeting] me. Slightly better luck from LinkedIn updates, though.”

Probably because Nilson has an extensive LinkedIn network. As do I. Because my connections are connections I know personally, I am very comfortable in referring them to others. However, I’ve got to be asked in the right way.

For example, one recruiter emailed me via LinkedIn asking for more information about a candidate. Unfortunately, I had no idea who she was talking about. So, I picked up the phone. It turned out this candidate was a third-degree connection. That meant that the candidate was not directly connected to me (first degree), but rather connected to one of my direct connections.

The recruiter and I talked and she provided me with more specific details of the job, including: salary, location (city), position title, requirements, and a brief job description.

This enabled me to forward her email, along with my recommendation about her company, and provide more details about the gig to MY connection. This enabled him to forward more information to his connection – the candidate. This strategy helped my recruiter friend not only get referrals from me for the gig, but also more candidates from my direct connection.

The job was filled.

If you’re in job search mode, it pays to pick up the phone, especially if you are the direct connection to the person posting the job. If you aren’t, you can certainly email your direct connection to get more details.

Personally, all the people in my LinkedIn network are people I actually know and can refer with confidence. I recommend this strategy to those wishing to beef up their LinkedIn connections.

If someone wishes to connect with you and you have no idea who they are, you can either ignore the request or simply pick up the phone and find out more. If, after you connect, you feel this person would be a great addition to your network, add him or her.

In addition, whether you’re an employer, recruiter or candidate, it’s important to have a detailed LinkedIn profile that communicates YOU, your brand, and your personality. Go beyond the standard data.

See my LinkedIn profile here:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyterwelp

Note the story AND the recommendations. Build your profile accordingly.

Also, don’t forget about the in-person connection. Pick up the phone. Set up a meeting. According to CareerXRoads 2010 Source of Hire Study: Referrals make up 26.7% of all external hires. (Translation: Networking!)

Want more tips on how to make that personal connection the right way – and using just five minutes a day? Check out “Rock Your Network®.”

Top 10 Secrets No One Ever Told You About Getting the Most Out of Your Resume

Wendy Terwelp 5 Comments

1. Clearly define your career focus. “Candidates have to be focused,” said Laurie Driesen, Executive Recruiter. “The biggest complaint from employers over the years has been ‘We didn’t hire so-and-so because she or he didn’t know what they wanted.’”

2. Be specific when recounting your achievements. Qualify, quantify or “dollarize” them in some manner that demonstrates what you offer a prospective employer. Use the CAR method to help you recall your achievements: Challenge, Action, Result. Achievements are the most important part of the resume say recruiters and human resource professionals. “Past performance predicts future productivity,” said Lynn Kaup, Talent Acquisition Specialist.

3. Use action words and statements. “Responsible for”… is out, “Developed; Directed; Achieved; Coordinated, etc.” is in.

4. For people with 20 or more years of experience: “Do NOT write that into your resume,” said Carol Schneider, Founder/CEO of SEEK Careers / Staffing. “Put a BENEFIT STATEMENT into your resume – something that speaks of how you 1) made the company money, 2) saved the company money, or 3) streamlined procedures. Years of experience are immaterial and may indicate that you are just ‘old.’ Companies want to know what kind of a contribution you can make to their success – not how many years you’ve been working.

5. Differentiate yourself. When you review your current resume, can you simply put someone else’s name on it? Or does it clearly differentiate you from your competition and brand you as “the one” for the job?

6. Communicate your value and put key points “above the fold.” One recruiter on LinkedIn told me he reads 200 to 300 resumes a DAY, seven days a week. You have GOT to stand out! Address the unspoken question early on: “Why should I hire you?”

7. When responding to job postings, be sure you clearly read the requirements and assess your qualifications and experience. Is there a close match between the requirements they’re seeking and your qualifications? Companies don’t have time to meet with unqualified applicants. According to one finance recruiter, “Candidates must be an exact match before a company looks at them.”

8. Create a short value statement about yourself in nine words or less. This can become your brand statement to use on social media sites, when networking, and during interviews. Here’s mine: “I help professionals be rock stars at work.” This gets people to say, “Tell me more!” That’s your goal.

9. If you know someone at a company, give them a call. Networking is the No. 1 method used by candidates to get jobs. In Indeed’s Source of Hire Study, employee referrals (past and present were a key source for external hires at companies.

10. Think creatively about how you distribute your resume. Networking online (via social media) and offline (in-person) are still the key ways people land new gigs. Want more networking tips to help you feel confident and comfortable networking anytime, anywhere online or off? Get “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers.”

© 2003 – 2024 • Wendy J. Terwelp • Opportunity Knocks™ • All Rights Reserved.

Wendy Terwelp has helped thousands of clients get hired faster and be rock stars at work since 1989. A recognized expert on networking, both online and off, Wendy has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Fast Company, The Business Journal, Careerbuilders.com, Monster.com, ABC, NBC, and Fox. She has published hundreds of articles on the web and in print. She literally wrote the book on networking, “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers.” Get tips, tricks, and strategies to rock your career at www.knocks.com.

JobCamp2 – Milwaukee

Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

Things are heating up here in Milwaukee this summer. We’ve got Summerfest starting this week (yes I am going!) and on July 9th check out JobCamp2. This is a very exciting daylong event for job seekers. And it is FREE, that’s right, FREE.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2009

Register here: http://jobcamp2.eventbrite.com/

Price of admission: FREE
OK practically free. All you need to do is to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit the Hunger Task Force. You can do that! What’s a can of peas cost? How about tuna?

What you get: An ENTIRE DAY of experts! Workshops all day long. PLUS, table talks where you can ask the expert questions about job-related topics.

My gig: 11 a.m. BE THERE
Job Seekers – Personal Branding: Stand Out; Get Hired Faster!

Nike, Starbucks, and Trump: These companies know that branding is critical – it’s what makes them stand apart from their competition. However, branding isn’t just for big companies with big advertising budgets. To win in today’s competitive job market, personal branding is an essential part of the game.

Wendy Terwelp, Career Coach and Personal Branding Strategist (www.knocks.com) says, “Everything you do, say, and wear says something about you. The challenge for most professionals is that they lack the discipline necessary to take control of their personal brands. As a result, their peers choose it for them. Unfortunately, the personal brand others select for you will not always be the personal brand you would have selected for yourself.”

During this workshop-style program, Wendy Terwelp shares her tips, tricks, and strategies to help you stand out from the crowd the right way to get what you want. Whether it’s a promotion, new job, or more business, knowing – and taking control – of your brand is the first step. Get ready to rock during this program and discover YOUR brand, tips to take control, and strategies to make you a rock star at work.

Note: Fabulous door prizes will be awarded!

Follow-on Table Topic: Noon
Job Seekers – Personal Branding

Entrepreneurs – don’t miss out on branding! My table talk for entrepreneurs is at 2 p.m.
Topic: Personal Branding: Stand Out; Get More Clients

See you there!

Personal Branding and The Likable Engineer

Wendy Terwelp 6 Comments
Hired Engineer

Hired Engineer

Guest Blogger: Robert Bachman, The Likable Engineer

(with editorial notes by Wendy Terwelp)

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know I successfully landed a position as a Project Manager. It is a great fit and I am looking forward to starting my new position.  I wish to thank you again for the chat we had after your branding workshop and the advice you provided me.

(Note: Bob landed his new gig less than 4 weeks after attending my workshop.)

I have received many positive comments on my tag line “The Likable Engineer”.  I have only received one negative from another engineer, who thought it trite and self-serving, but at least he remembered.  OBTW: He’s typical engineer that can’t get out of his comfort zone and network.

(Note: Bob gets it. Strong personal brands attract and repel. It’s OK the other engineer didn’t get it, because Bob did – and is hired with a company that fits his brand.)

Here is a synopsis of my search, since as an engineer I like to focus on numbers, and also what I learned this time around.

To share my numbers in 141 days of searching it was a 6-to-7 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week job.  I sent out 28 resumes, 32 marketing letters, had 41 one-on-one networking meetings, went to 31 networking events, had 15 interviews, did 7 mentoring/coaching sessions with people [some their first search in 20+ years], volunteered for 5 events, spoke to 4 groups on the techniques of networking in the job search from the perspective of someone doing it daily, and did a great deal of sharing my job seeking knowledge.

(Note: Check out how Bob totally embraced the “givers gain” philosophy – even though he was out of work – he still helped others! Bob’s rock star attitude is important to grasp as well as his givers gain actions. Hence my bold phrases in the above paragraph.)

I often get asked what did I learn in the process:

1) I learned I am in sales and marketing selling MY value proposition,

2) I learned language is so important.  It’s not I think I can do the job, it’s I know I can do the job. Think, can, and maybe where appropriate are replaced with know, will, and absolutely.

3)  I discovered in myself a real desire to help others through this process.  I will continue to provide support where I can through 40Plus and other venues to coach and mentor.  I have learned too much to bury it in the sand.  It continues to make me wonder what else God has planned for me.

We learn more from giving then we do from getting.

(Note: What more can I say? Bob, you have said it all. I hope readers find this inspiring. Feel free to share your story!)