10 Basic Steps to Create a Personal Branding Strategy

10 Basic Steps to Create a Personal Branding Strategy Do you think that it is possible to have a strong presence in the market without creating a brand for your business? The odds are not in the favor. Read on to find out how to formulate a strong personal branding strategy!Branding is not just about having a cool logo or a well-placed advertisement rather, it is defined as the overall perception of your business by your customers.evalThere is immense competition in the market and for smaller businesses, it is nearly impossible to match the stature of the giants in the industry.One of the most valuable assets which your company holds includes a loved and recognizable brand identity for itself.Personal branding is a process and doesn’t happen overnight. There is a lot of effort which is required to establish strong relationships with your clientele resulting in increased sales, more projects, and successful word of mouth referrals.Here are some of the simplified steps explained for you to build a successful personal branding strategy:1 . Determine Your AudienceDefining a target audience forms the foundation for building a brand so this is the foremost thing which you must be focusing on. It is not possible to be everything to everyone so you need to figure out a segment of the audience that your company will be focusing on.You would need to tailor your mission and message to meet the needs of the target audience. With the passage of time, the brand loyalty increases as the reach of the company expand.2. Define a Branding Mission StatementAdding value to your business is integral to building a strong brand for the audience. It basically emulates the soul reason behind the existence of your business and will facilitate other aspects of brand building.evalOn the basis of this mission, you will be creating an identity for your brand and defining a marketing strategy for it. If all this doesn’t conform to your mission, it won’t be fruitful.3. Outline Your Key Qualities and BenefitsYou need to dig deeper into your p otentials and find out what are you offering which others aren’t. There are numerous brands in the industry with some of them having a stronger presence and more resources and money as compared to you. They can easily command the market but you need to find out the way to outdo them.It could be anything including providing a better customer service or making the product/service more affordable for the people. Give a very strong reason to the target audience so that they can choose your brand over the rest.4. Research Your CompetitorsNever even think of imitating the other brands in the industry but always be aware of what they are up to. Study how all your main competitors or the biggies in the market are building their brand.evalFind out their strengths and weaknesses so that you can devise your own personal branding strategy accordingly. Follow the reviews of their customers to find out what are they liking or disliking about them.5. Come up with a Great Brand Logo and TaglineTh is holds immense importance as the piece of writing and graphic will appear on each and everything which relates to your business one way or the other. This is the visual recognition of your business so make sure that you come up with something which is unique and represents your business and its mission in the best possible way.Invest your time and money on something worthwhile because this is going to be the ultimate identity of your brand.6. Show YourselfIt is the desire of the people to connect with other people and not just brands so show yourself more often. Presenting a photo of yourself or letting others know about you through social media or other platforms will help in building credibility and establishing trust.Capture yourself and your team in action so that people feel connected to the brand as they are exposed to all the behind the scene efforts.7. Build a Circle of InfluencersThere are a number of “popular people” in the crowd who seem to garner more attention fro m the masses as compared to others. There is simply no harm in shaking hands with such people coming from different walks of life and letting them help you promote your brand.These can be journalists, bloggers, motivational speakers or anyone else who is excelling in his respective field and will help in creating a strong influence for you.8. Have a Strong Online PresenceWe are in the twenty-first century and if you want to be there for the people, you need to be available online. Maintaining an online identity is essential for your business given that it is the medium with the widest reach in today’s world.evalYou can have social media accounts and build a website for yourself so that there are multiple domains where people can find you.Another important thing is to keep updating yourself with the changing times so that your presence conforms to the present principles and doesn’t appear to be out of context.9. Stay True to Your BrandAs cliché as it may sound but consistency is the absolute key to success. If you keep changing your branding strategy, you are most likely to confuse your customers. This doesn’t mean that you cannot improvise yourself to increase your appeal to the masses.The essence is not to deviate from your true path that will make it impossible for the loyal customers to connect with you.10. Remain a Student of Your IndustryYou might think that you have known it all but still, it is not enough. Trends keep changing and people keep putting forward newer innovations.evalThus, the process of learning never becomes obsolete making it absolutely necessary for anyone to keep discovering the industry and improving their personal branding strategy as they move forward with their business.Through a strong personal branding strategy, you can actually make yourself a lot more appealing to your audiences. This is one sure shot way of winning more customers and increasing your reach.

Top 10 Job Search Articles You Dont Want To Miss

Top 10 Job Search Articles You Dont Want To Miss Theres a lot of information out there about job search. These are the top 10 from 2018 you dont want to miss! Before you check out for the holidays, I wanted to highlight these articles to help you prepare for your upcoming job search. January has historically been the month most people hit the job boards. So before you start, make sure youre ready! (Psst: Monster is no longer the place to go to find a job.) I hope you enjoy these! Top Job Search Articles From 2018 9 Questions To Ask Before Launching Your Job Search Before you begin updating your resume, there are some questions youll want to ask and answer. Your search for a new job requires a strategy and by answering these questions you will launch a targeted, more productive job search. Recruiting and Interviewing Trends To Watch In 2018 Companies have to work harder to find talent now that most people are working.   Using candidate data and artificial intelligence is mixed into the process companies use to source and vet candidates. And once theyve found candidates, they are interviewing them differently.   These trends started in 2018 and are expected to continue through 2019. Social Media Used To Evaluate Job Seekers 2018 Based on CareerBuilders annual study, I break down the key findings to help you understand the good and bad of social media. The short answer is, whatever you put out there is a reflection of you and can be used to help or hurt your shot at being a candidate for a job. Use Every Source Available To Uncover Job Opportunities Where do you go to look for jobs? Its probably based on your past experience. If you dont diversify where you look for new jobs, you may be missing out on that perfect job opportunity. How To Use Instagram for Job Search Instagram, really? Yes. If you are active on Instagram, these are tips to help you make the most of your time on the platform to help with your job search (and online reputation). 12 Easy Digital Housekeeping Steps Even if you dont plan on actively looking for a new job, you should do a little digital housekeeping. Walk through this list to make sure your online visibility is clean and on target. Its up to you to manage your online personal reputation. 8 Things To Evaluate Before You Say Yes To A Job Theres nothing more exciting than receiving a job offer. But before you say YES, make sure you have evaluated these 8 things related to the job, the company, its leadership and people you’ll be working with. Pre-Interview Prep You want to come across confidently qualified during the job interview and that takes practice and time. Youll find the top job interview questions to prepare for and the best way to formulate your answers! Start prepping now! New LinkedIn Features You Should Know About LinkedIn is always making updates and adding new features. Sadly, they dont do a very good job notifying their users of these changes. These are 10 features introduced in 2018. Fix Your LinkedIn Headline Today Your LinkedIn headline  is one of the best opportunities to highlight your unique value. You have 120 characters to use to sell yourself! Newsflash, your job title and company isnt going to be enough to help you stand out! And there you have it. If you are looking for more help, please, subscribe to my newsletter and get fast, fresh, fun articles delivered right to your inbox!

Inspirational Quote The Rock in the Stream - Hallie Crawford

Inspirational Quote The Rock in the Stream Ive been reading Learn to Relax by Mike George at night before I go to bed. This paragraph hit home with me the other day since I can be such a do-er, sometimes doing so much that I realize Im forcing things. Page 32 Many people in modern times believe that the quickest route is best: the faster we can complete one task, the sooner we can begin the next. We resemble not calmly flowing rivers but swirling rapids, sending up angry white foam whenever we meet an obstacle. By the time we reach our goal, we are stale and spent, because we have striven so hard for success. Daoists believe that humankinds attempted imposition of order on earth is a case of intellectual vanity at war with nature. The result is stress. According to the natural order of things, a river, and anything the river carries, will flow toward the sea. To achieve relaxation, we must accept lifes natural flow (we are that flow) and allow ourselves to be borne along not try to fight the current by swimming upstream, or willing the flow to move faster. If we surrender to the flow of the river, life will carry us where we want to go. This could take a little longer than we might have expected and the experience may feel strange at first. Yet in time by trusting the flow of the river, we will learn the art of acceptance. If we cease to struggle against the odds, our potential for growth is enlarged. Ive been reading this every morning as I prep for the day to remind me to surrender to the flow. How can you do that this week for yourself? Notice what happens when you do. Happy Monday, Hallie Related links: Ignite your intuition Listening to intuition

Tips on Writing a Resume For a Flexible Working Schedule

Tips on Writing a Resume For a Flexible Working ScheduleWhen a business or employer is looking for new employees, a resume can be one of the most important documents that are needed. The resume, once created, is used by both the employer and employee to communicate the qualifications and skills necessary for the position to be filled. Often a resume will last a lifetime because it is meant to represent an entire career from start to finish.When an employer has a job to fill and needs qualified applicants, they will usually contact previous employees, current workers and alumni of the company for references. It is important to have an extensive background check on potential candidates before making a hiring decision.In most cases, a resume writer will come to the hiring decision as well. Many companies rely on recommendations from former employees in order to make hiring decisions. Resume writers have the ability to meet or exceed the requirements of the employer in order to get their project completed and ready for submission. In fact, many companies hire resume writers specifically to help them with the process of creating a suitable resume for the job.In order to put together a resume that is completely unique and is not plagiarized by others, a resume writer should make sure that they write each section in a unique way. A writer should use unique jargon, come up with a unique resume structure and include relevant information that will make the potential applicant stand out from the crowd. If a resume is being handed over to a hiring manager, this is an opportunity to show what the candidate is all about. A resume writer can be the difference between landing the job and not.Creating a resume based on flexible working hours is another way for a writer to differentiate themselves from the competition. Different companies may not be able to find an employee who is available for work during the evening or weekend, but many jobs can be handled in these hours. It c an be difficult to say no to an employer who needs you to work evenings or weekends, but a resume is an opportunity to speak up. Having a resume written in these hours allows potential employers to know that a job can be done in any amount of time, which will lead to more opportunities for employment.A resume written in flexible working hours is also another way for a writer to make a strong impression on the hiring manager. Most employers take into consideration the way a resume writer creates a resume for the job they are targeting. If a resume looks professional and is well-written, the hiring manager will appreciate the fact that the resume writer has thought of the employer and is willing to put their name behind their product.Flexible working hours is something that needs to be considered by a resume writer in order to create a resume that speaks to the potential employee. When the job is done correctly, it will leave the employer with a resume that is tailor made to their nee ds and will open doors for more future employment opportunities.

How to List Certifications on a Resume

How to List Certifications on a Resume Spread the loveIncluding certifications on a resume is a good way to catch the attention of a hiring manager. Its also necessary for certain positions and industries. Your resume needs to tell the employer that youre both qualified for the position and the perfect fit for the position. Well show you how to list certifications on a resume to ensure you stand out.Most employers also use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to screen resumes to determine if you’re qualified for the position. One of the main things they will be looking for is required certifications. We’ll also show you some tips to ensure that the ATS understands that you possess these certifications.(Check out this great post on free certifications you can add to your resume)Where to Include Certifications on a ResumeIf the certification is a requirement for the position, then you want to either list it next to your name in the header or in your resume title. A hiring manager only looks at a resume for a few seconds so you need to quickly show that you’re qualified for the position.Here is an example of a certification next to a name:You could also list your certification in the title of your resume. Utilizing a resume title is very effective for any resume and we wrote a good post on writing a resume title and header here.Here is an example of listing your certification in a resume title:Which Certifications Should You Include on a Resume?You should of course include any required or relevant certifications on your resume. Some may have additional secondary certifications that are not really relevant to the position.For example, if you have CPR certification and you’re applying for an accounting position â€"   it’s not relevant and would probably be better left off your resume.How to  put Certifications and Licenses on a ResumeIf you have one certification or license that’s required or relevant to the position, you can list it either next to your name or in the title as we showed you ab ove. If you have numerous certifications you want to list, those could be included at the bottom of your resume.Here are the possible headers you could use for the certifications section if you have other professional development to list:Certifications (Better to list alone if you have multiple certifications)Professional Development CertificationsCertifications AffiliationsEducation CertificationsWe wrote a good post on including a professional development section on a resume here.  Here is an example of certifications on a resume:If you have any online certifications or courses you took, those would usually be mentioned towards the bottom of your resume. It is okay to list online certifications from sites like Udemy or Lynda on your resume. It shows the hiring manager that you took the time to learn or touch up on a skill, and that will never get you disqualified. However, keep only highly relevant, required or prestigious certifications at the top of your resume.Including Cert ifications in ProgressYou could also, of course, include any certifications in progress along with the anticipated completion date. You could list the certification in progress with something along the lines of:Anticipated Completion May 2018Expected May 2018In ProgressTo be CompletedCertifications and an ATSThe last thing we’re going to touch on is ensuring an ATS picks up on your certifications. An ATS is software used by most employers to automatically screen resumes. The ATS analyzes information such as work experience, education, certifications etc. If it feels you’re qualified for the position, it sends your resume forward to a hiring manager for review.Around 75% of resumes are rejected by these systems, and many times it’s because the resume isn’t optimized.(You can see how your resume does in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review).To ensure the ATS picks up on your certifications, you need to keep these two tips in mind:If its a certification thats required for the position, list it towards the header with either your name or resume title.You should write out an abbreviation as an ATS might not understand them all. It could also be that the ATS is programmed to search for the full name of the certification and not the abbreviation. You don’t need to spell out the abbreviation everywhere but you should do it at least once. For example: CPA (Certified Public Accountant).Adding Certifications on your resume the right way is important, especially if they’re required. If they are required or relevant, you should list them with either your name or title. Don’t include any licences or certifications that are expired or suspended. You may also want to leave off any certifications which aren’t relevant to the position you’re targeting.Good luck with your job search! How to List Certifications on a Resume Spread the loveIncluding certifications on a resume is a good way to catch the attention of a hiring manager. Its also necessary for certain positions and industries. Your resume needs to tell the employer that youre both qualified for the position and the perfect fit for the position. Well show you how to list certifications on a resume to ensure you stand out.Most employers also use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to screen resumes to determine if you’re qualified for the position. One of the main things they will be looking for is required certifications. We’ll also show you some tips to ensure that the ATS understands that you possess these certifications.(Check out this great post on free certifications you can add to your resume)Where to Include Certifications on a ResumeIf the certification is a requirement for the position, then you want to either list it next to your name in the header or in your resume title. A hiring manager only looks at a resume for a few seconds so you need to quickly show that you’re qualified for the position.Here is an example of a certification next to a name:You could also list your certification in the title of your resume. Utilizing a resume title is very effective for any resume and we wrote a good post on writing a resume title and header here.Here is an example of listing your certification in a resume title:Which Certifications Should You Include on a Resume?You should of course include any required or relevant certifications on your resume. Some may have additional secondary certifications that are not really relevant to the position.For example, if you have CPR certification and you’re applying for an accounting position â€"   it’s not relevant and would probably be better left off your resume.How to  put Certifications and Licenses on a ResumeIf you have one certification or license that’s required or relevant to the position, you can list it either next to your name or in the title as we showed you ab ove. If you have numerous certifications you want to list, those could be included at the bottom of your resume.Here are the possible headers you could use for the certifications section if you have other professional development to list:Certifications (Better to list alone if you have multiple certifications)Professional Development CertificationsCertifications AffiliationsEducation CertificationsWe wrote a good post on including a professional development section on a resume here.  Here is an example of certifications on a resume:If you have any online certifications or courses you took, those would usually be mentioned towards the bottom of your resume. It is okay to list online certifications from sites like Udemy or Lynda on your resume. It shows the hiring manager that you took the time to learn or touch up on a skill, and that will never get you disqualified. However, keep only highly relevant, required or prestigious certifications at the top of your resume.Including Cert ifications in ProgressYou could also, of course, include any certifications in progress along with the anticipated completion date. You could list the certification in progress with something along the lines of:Anticipated Completion May 2018Expected May 2018In ProgressTo be CompletedCertifications and an ATSThe last thing we’re going to touch on is ensuring an ATS picks up on your certifications. An ATS is software used by most employers to automatically screen resumes. The ATS analyzes information such as work experience, education, certifications etc. If it feels you’re qualified for the position, it sends your resume forward to a hiring manager for review.Around 75% of resumes are rejected by these systems, and many times it’s because the resume isn’t optimized.(You can see how your resume does in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review).To ensure the ATS picks up on your certifications, you need to keep these two tips in mind:If its a certification thats required for the position, list it towards the header with either your name or resume title.You should write out an abbreviation as an ATS might not understand them all. It could also be that the ATS is programmed to search for the full name of the certification and not the abbreviation. You don’t need to spell out the abbreviation everywhere but you should do it at least once. For example: CPA (Certified Public Accountant).Adding Certifications on your resume the right way is important, especially if they’re required. If they are required or relevant, you should list them with either your name or title. Don’t include any licences or certifications that are expired or suspended. You may also want to leave off any certifications which aren’t relevant to the position you’re targeting.Good luck with your job search!

#1 Proven And Tested Formula For Job Security - Work It Daily

#1 Proven And Tested Formula For Job Security - Work It Daily Believe it or not, job security does exist and you don’t have to stab people in the back, work long hours, and kiss your boss’s rear to achieve it. Related: Is Personal Branding Really That Important Or Is It All Hype? Two generations ago, we let a myth slip into our consciousness that job security was over. We looked at the world, the on-coming surge in the global economy as well as employment trends. From this data, we determined that there was a downward trend in employee longevity. Employees were becoming employed at the same company for a shorter and shorter duration. The one and only proven and tested formula for job security is to build a personal brand. These days, employers aren’t interested in your years of dedication or hard work. They will only hire and retain employees who have a proven track record and can achieve results. This is why a personal brand is so important. A personal brand constantly reminds an employer of your value. This is important when budget cuts come down the pipeline, because your personal brand could spare you the rod when your boss is faced with laying you off or your mediocre colleagues. Properly formatted resume + Website portfolio + Blog + Network + Skills training + References + Book = Personal brand One thing to keep in mind - as it pertains to job security - is that job security is no longer defined as maintaining employment at the same place for an extended duration. In fact, I would argue that staying employed at the same place for more than five years is a terrible idea. You’ll lose out on a well-rounded career experience; you’ll lose opportunities to learn new skills and you’ll earn less money over the lifetime of your career. All of that being said, the real threat employees face today isn’t just about losing their job after a couple of years. The real threat is becoming irrelevant and out-dated, which could dramatically reduce your opportunity to gain employment in your industry over-time. Ask anyone who’s currently 50 and struggling to gain employment post-recession, they’ll tell you, as they identify with this problem more than most. Personal branding is real. It’s not hype and it’s absolutely necessary for survival and job security. Related Posts How To Build A Dynamic Personal Brand 4 Tips For Living Your Brand Make Integrity The Cornerstone Of Your Personal Brand About the author Michael Price is the author of What Next? The Millennial's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Real World, endorsed by Barbara Corcoran of ABC's Shark Tank. He is also the founder of Conquer Career Course, where he teaches students how to increase their salary, build a career with longevity and become unemployment-proof. View the trailer below:     Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Why a Side Hustle Makes a Great Addition to Your CV - Jobscan Blog

Why a Side Hustle Makes a Great Addition to Your CV - Jobscan BlogPosted on February 22, 2018June 13, 2018 by Victoria Greene Finding good employment isnt easy in todays world. mora people are alive than at any prior point in the history of human civilization and US unemployment rates are down again at 4.7%. The level of competition is intimidating.With the days of lucking into a great position with an underwhelming CV far behind us, we need to recognize the importance of showing our value before we even enter an interview room.Thats where side hustles enter the equation. Filling out your CV with a secondary pursuit or two (as opposed to, say, your Frisbee skills) is a fantastic way to make your application a lot mora interesting.But what makes side hustles so worthy of your time and attention? Good question.Theyre Forward-Thinking PursuitsIf I had to describe the modern geschftliches miteinander world in one word, it would be changeable (or even volatile).It isnt just that automatio n is destroying and creating entire industries, or that the influx of powerful analytical tools has changed how we view performance its also that the speed of operation has massively increased. Advancements in digital technology have granted us devices that are flexible, powerful, and capable of keeping us connected and communicating across the entire planet.Now we need to be faster and smarter than before just to keep up with the pace of life.In short, a potential interviewer will consider what you bring to the table and wonder, Can this person not only keep up but be at the front of the pack?If you can point to a side hustle independent of any traditional employer, youll fruchtfleisch yourself as someone capable of thinking ahead, establishing an advantage over those who never operated outside of a 9-to-5 system.Side Businesses Suggest Skill DiversityIts easy to get into a rut following a set career path and find your skills stagnating. Taking on a new gig outside of that path (ev en if it falls within broadly the same field) presents a totally new challenge with its own range of risks and rewards.Managing your time, dealing with new people, overcoming the hurdles that come with being your own boss these things all expand your abilities in ways that prospective employers will find very appealing. After all, just about every business wants to expand and become even more successful, and thats an endeavor that greatly benefits from different perspectives.Even something that doesnt sound like it would prove useful in other areas like a detailed understanding of acquiring, storing and shipping crickets can produce sparks of inspiration.They Make Your Story More InterestingEvery professional adult has a story to tell about their working life. Their successes, their failures, their confusions, challenges and solutions.Taking on a part-time money-making scheme is a great way to flesh out your story. Youll have the opportunity to write and talk about how it began, wh at experiences it led to, and how it took you out of your usual routine.Imagine having gone from a relatively-typical job on a goat ranch to setting up shop as a professional skull cleaner, as Carla Brauer of Dermestidarium did. Thats a memorable narrative to have on your side when youre at the final interview stage and the other candidates are more experienced.Effective talking points.You might not find yourself doing anything that fascinating, but even if youre just washing cars, youll have something to say about how the whole process made you feel and taught you about who you are.Side Hustles Demonstrate DriveDrive is an extremely important thing to possess. Its what separates those who fail and give up from those who keep trying and failing until they find success.And even in those who never quite achieve the success they aimed for, its better to be pushing ahead than succumbing to inertia (think of sharks, or even Regret Iyer, a figure I find particularly inspirational).With a side hustle on your record, you show you that you have the drive to keep going when life throws some roadblocks in your way, something successful businesses all look for. They dont want to hire people wholl just roll over and concede when placed under pressure.They want employees wholl always search for ways to keep going, do more, find a new solution, because theyre the ones you want around you in a crisis.They Can Be As Big (Or As Small) As You WantEven if Ive sold you on the overall merits of running a side hustle, you might think it isnt something you can realistically pursue. Perhaps you think youll never have enough time to operate around your regular job, or that the operating costs will be prohibitive.Well, you should consider that theres a huge amount of flexibility in how you can go about setting something up, and it might not be as hard as you think to find something that will suit your personal circumstances.If youre concerned about stress, for instance, you can come up with an vorkaufsrecht that doesnt require all that much attention on a daily basis, allowing you to keep a good amount of time reserved for relaxation.Automation is your new best friend. Even if you already know that you can easily set up side hustle stores through platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, and Shopify, you might not be aware of the existence of practices like dropshipping, something that allows you to skip 99% of the practical aspects of online sales by leaving them to wholesalers (leaving you to focus on branding and marketing instead).When you can set up a store that handles most of the retail process for you and requires only minimal management, can you really make the claim that you dont have the time to run a side hustle?What might your side hustle be? Selling a product, providing a service, sharing your expertise? Think carefully about what might enrich your life, make you some money, and ultimately make you a more attractive employment candidate.Victoria Greene is an ecommerce marketing expert and freelance writer who likes to stay busy. She can usually be found trying to work on ten projects at the same time.You can read more of her work at her blog Victoria Ecommerce.Have a couple minutes?Learn how Jobscan can help with your resume and LinkedIn profile.How to Scan a Resume with Jobscan (208)How to Scan a LinkedIn Profile with Jobscan (253)??Full text tutorialFull text tutorialFacebook Commentswpdevar_comment_1 span,wpdevar_comment_1 iframewidth100% important