Branding isn't only important for businesses. It is also important in getting a job. In fact, personal branding has taken on increasing importance as the workforce embraces creativity and individualism. And with unemployment still above the natural 5 percent, it is even more important to get the edge and stand out with our resume. Branding does this. Branding allows for you to show the unique value you bring to the table and allows for the employers to get a real insightful look at who you are and what you are all about. So how do you go about creating a personal branding resume? Here's how:
Form a Strong Job Target/Personal Brand Statement
Your personal brand statement is what the hiring manager will first see. Let them know what you have to offer their company and what sets you apart from all the other candidates. A statement that lets the employer understand what type of person you are and allows them to know your strengths and attributes that will make you stand out against the many others that are also applying for the position. Not many job seekers are providing personal brand statement; therefore by doing so, you will stand out from the pack. This personal statement will set the tone for you as a candidate. You can put this statement at the top of your resume or integrate it in your career biography if you do not want to place it at the top of your resume.
Be Bold With the Layout
To stand out, you have to be different. And being different means you may have to take the less traveled road. This may mean you have scrap the resume template and go with a unique style all your own. For instance, the rule of thumb is to not include color in your resume and keep all writing black. However, if you feel that color adds flavor to your resume and aligns with your personality and taste, then go for it. Additionally if you love flowers and you want that to show, you can create borders with your favorite flowers. But if you do decide to be bold in the design of your resume, remember to be tastefully bold.
Show off Your Online Presence
Include your blog, LinkedIn Profile, Twitter, and if dare, your Facebook profile. Your online presence is your identity to the rest of the world so sharing it gives a glimpse of you to your employers.
Linking to Your Website
But if you decide to share your blog or site that talks about the industry that you (want to) work in, make sure you create a great landing page that will impress your potential employers. It is useless to include your website if you have an "Under Construction" page as a placeholder or even a partially completed website. The website should be 100 percent ready to showcase. The landing page should be an extension of your resume and should detail what is truly unique and valuable about you. Linking to your website works especially well in jobs requiring a portfolio.
Linking to Your LinkedIn Profile
If you have a LinkedIn profile, make sure that you have some testimonies of your previous work. What is also extremely helpful for LinkedIn profile is to have endorsements from people within your industry. Endorsements are simply testimonials in the LinkedIn world and can lend huge weight to your profile. To get an endorsement, simply send out solicitations to your connected peers on LinkedIn; many of them will be more than willing to do one for you.
Linking to Your Twitter Account
If you are going to share your Twitter account, make sure your Twitter account is one that is worth following. If you have 200 followers and they are all your friends, it's best to leave out your Twitter profile. However, if you have thousands of followers (that are not your friends) and you regularly tweet about industry news, you should definitely share your account. Before sharing, make sure that any offensive tweets have been deleted.
Linking to Your Facebook Account
There are very rare occasions that linking to your Facebook account actually does any tangible good. However, if you are linking to your Facebook account, it may show the employer that you have nothing to hide and also saving them the hassle of doing online background research.
Link to Other Web Properties
There are of course various other web profiles and properties you can link to. One thing that has become relatively easy to do is to link to a video resume. Video resumes are still rare so you will definitely be memorable if you are able to provide a link to a video resume you created. Make sure the video is high quality and on a reliable server. And when you are shooting the video, make sure you are energetic and upbeat. And if you are able to throw in a few jokes to make them laugh, do so but make sure they are tasteful.
Testimonials
Testimonials have long been the go-to method for infomercials and website sales letters. Now you can use testimonials to sell yourself. Testimonials are still avant-garde to employers so you will definitely stand out. But don't take testimonials from just anyone. Instead, find industry leaders or senior-level management from companies you've worked for. However, make sure testimonials only take up a small portion of your resume; you still need some space to write about your accolades and accomplishments.
Summarize Your Accolades
Make sure your accolades and accomplishments stand out and are at the very top. This should be one of the first things that a potential employer reads and can be mixed in with your personal statement (if you have one). Putting your career accomplishments first before anything else will ensure that potential employers see it. Some examples of accolades and accomplishments worth noting are:
- Being the top salesperson in the region
- Winning national awards for your writing
- Getting a $100,000 grant to do trailblazing research
- Reducing your company's expenses by 50 percent through cost-cutting initiatives
Of course there are many more countless accolades and accomplishments you can put on your resume---these are just four examples.
About the author Felix Tarcomnicu is currently writing job tips and CV examples for ResumeOK.com. There he has written the popular article: 49 Job interview questions with answers.