your brand

Your personal brand is the most important thing that you need to perfect prior to your job search.   This will be one of the most enjoyable parts of your journey as you step back and evaluate who you are and what you are called to do.  As you go through the process, you will begin to unfold your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and this will serve as the foundation for your resume and, ultimately, your targeted search.

One thing you will need to guard against is "being busy" versus "being effective." Sending thousands of resumes out may make you feel like  you have accomplished something when, in fact, you may have done damage to "your brand."  The key is getting laser-focused on your brand so you can target your search for the right opportunities and be productive with your time. 

Just like a consumer brand, your brand needs to:

• Reflect who you are in a way that is believable to a potential employer or recruiter.
• Have a credible brand promise that you can back up with work evidence, references, in the interview and even in your follow up communications.   Stated another way, your brand is a promise delivered consistently over time.
• Be targeted. The tendency in your job search is to think you can be all things to all people. With the advent of the Internet and the simultaneous number of layoffs, companies can get exactly what they need. Your ability to focus on your unique qualifications will pay dividends in your job search.

We have a series of tools contained within the guide that will help you pinpoint your personal brand.  And, we have a series of additional tools available to further refine your brand should you choose to explore those options.