Job Searches Are Easier When You Have a Personal Brand

Job searching is easier if you begin by building an online profile and resume that you can refer people back to anytime you’re discussing a potential job with them.

The good news is that today’s technology makes it simple enough for most anyone that can use a computer to be able to publish their own information on the web.  You can take a simple apporach and open a free account at Blogger or you could put more time and effort into getting your own branded website, which option you choose isn’t as important as just getting started on the process.

Since all of you are at different levels of comfort with technology and self-publishing, here are four different approaches to getting started:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

Job Searching in Reverse

As I mentioned in yesterday’s job search article, it helps to build your personal brand by targeting the end goal of the interview that will get you a job.  The first thing you have to do is to prove that you’re qualified for a job in your industry and have the skill sets that an employer is looking for.  The simplest way to do this is to write on your website about specific topics in your industry.

If you currently have a job, simply write about the projects you’re working on, problems you’ve solved, and any awards or recognition that you’ve recieved.  If you’re unemployed, write about the same topics just use an old job as an example.  This collection of information will become your online portfolio of what you know and who you are as contributor to your industry.

You don’t have to write every day, simply once every week or two will build you a site with a personal profile over the course of a few month. If you ever start to feel like you’re wasting your time, keep this in mind, a recent survey revealed that half of the people that self-publish on the web are better known in their industry, and one in four have used their blog as a resume enhancement. 

Getting Job Referrals

Once you have enough information on your website that demonstates your knowledge of your industry and the tools required the next step is to create something that will differentiate yourself from other candidates.  Probably the best way to do this is to get other people talking about you and recommending you.  Luckily this is easier than ever now that you can connect and interact with people everywhere thanks to social media.

Here are some good examples of ways you can use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to network, get recommendations, and help find yourself a job:

• Personal Branding on Twitter 
• New Jobs on Facebook
• Networking on LinkedIn

After you’ve created your online profile with your own website and used social media to build a network of contacts you will have plenty of information available for hiring managers that are looking for good candidates; a step that will significantly increase your chances of find a job.

Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

All posts by Ben Edwards