When you’re trying to nail a job hunt, think of yourself not as a person but as a product. You’re trying to “sell” yourself to a potential employer so that they hire you. And like the world of advertising will tell you, getting sales is all about creating a strong brand. And the same applies when you’re trying to bag your dream job. Your hiring manager is not going to knock on the door of your PG in Greater Noida and invite you for an interview. You have to ensure you stand out enough in your application to draw their attention. And that’s where creating a professional brand comes in.
Your brand should be all about the career path you’re on (and tailored to the company you’re applying to). That means you’ve got to match your qualifications, skills, expertise, and connections to the brand you’re trying to create. So, first you have to figure out what your brand stands for. If you have an idea of the type of job and industry you want to work in, you’re in a good place to start the branding process. Without further ado, let’s get into the steps you need to create your brand.
Have a plan in place
As we said, you have to know the kind of job you want when you’re trying to create a brand. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for your career. Do you have everything you need to get to where you want to be in the future? Can an additional qualification or course make you a more viable candidate? Is there something you can do in your current job or educational course that will make you more employable? These are all factors that you should consider carefully as they will add to your brand and resume.
Know what you’re working with
Whether this is your first job application or your fiftieth, you need to know what your brand already says about you. Because even if you haven’t consciously tried to create one, you have an online presence that your potential employer can access. So, to start building your brand, you need to see what you’re working with. Do a Google search for your name and see what crops u:. Does the information reflect who you want to be as a professional? Is it a strong base for you to build a career? If it is, you’re good to go. If not, you might want to make some strategic changes to make your brand more appealing to a hiring manager.
Upskill yourself suitably
The most important part of creating a brand is that it should be up to date. That means you should also be as updated as possible. If you’re applying for a role in the tech industry, for example, there’s a high chance that there are many things for you to upskill yourself on since you were last in college. Or if you’re a fresher applying to a marketing role, can a digital analytics course add value to your credentials? Make sure you leverage opportunities to upskill yourself if the job you’re applying to requires it. There are many courses and certifications that you can avail of online to upgrade your credentials without even stepping out of your PG in Knowledge Park.
Create a branding statement for your resume
Creating a strong online brand that is consistent across your LinkedIn and social media is great, but it won’t ensure you get that interview call from your dream company in Greater Noida. After all, your resume is the main bearer of your brand. Creating a branding statement for your resume – a short assertion of what makes you the best candidate for the job – can make your application stand out from the crowd. Try tailoring this statement to the job you’re applying for, instead of creating a generic one. It should highlight your strengths and skills aligned to the attributes that the company is looking for. Keeping the job description in mind can be quite handy when you’re creating your branding statement.
With these four steps, you’ll be able to create a brand for yourself to impress potential employers. Remember that this process should be continuous, rather than a one-time effort. Keep updating and tweaking your brand as your career progresses and you’ll always have a strong front to present to any employer. Good luck with the job hunt!
