Now that we are in the new year, there are some personal branding trends that are making the rounds. These are not guaranteed to be the savior you need for your job search, but they will give you a better chance of getting noticed by prospective employers. So without further ado, here are four branding techniques that will help your job search in 2012:
- Headshots: Spice up your social network profiles by getting a professional headshot to replace your current profile picture. You always want to look your best when going for a job interview, why wouldn't you want to do the same before? If you don't already have a profile, it's imperative you put one up, even if you don't yet have your headshot ready. Employers are less likely to view a profile with no photo.
- Testimonials: What are people saying about you? Certain social media sites allow you to answer this question. For example, LinkedIn has a tool that allows you to get testimonials from your contacts. You should take full advantage of this so you can use these recommendations in your resume or cover letter.
- Video Bio: A good way to stand out from the crowd is to create a video bio. Videos allow you to communicate a lot more than simple text, and it can help solidify your name as a brand. Creating a video that is worth watching can be very difficult and time-consuming, but it is ultimately worth the effort. When you are done, upload the final product to YouTube and other video sharing sites. Make sure to make proper use of keywords when during the uploading process.
- Stay Active: An employer is more likely to hire someone who stays active during unemployment. Start doing volunteer work or get involved with a project that you are passionate about. Staying active when you are out of work will tell employers that you are a person that can be relied upon to work hard all the time.
