Creating Y.O.U. - Launch Your Personal Brand in 2014

Do you remember your high school’s senior class superlatives? I remember categories such as, “Most Likely to Succeed,”  “Best Dressed,” and “Class Clown.” Maybe not class clown, however I think what’s most interesting about superlatives is that there is never any official campaigning before the voting begins. However, the superlative winners have been subconsciously campaigning all along; most since freshman year. Even as teenagers our self-perception impacted how others perceived us based on the attributes we displayed.

How you are perceived by the rest of the world matters and the information you are providing to promote those perceptions is even more important. Today you do not need to be a celebrity like Kim Kardashian or entrepreneur like Tony Robbins to be concerned about your personal brand.  Even cats manage their personal brand these days, why not you?  If you are connected to any social media network you may be building one without realizing it.

You create Your Own Universe.

Everyone has talent to offer the world. Even if you’re not sure what that is yet, be mindful about what you’re projecting to the universe while you discover your passion. (That way you’ll have to do less damage control later.) If you've discovered your special niche, it’s time to show it to world. Think about the skills and knowledge that you possess that may appeal to others and the best way to display it. This will help bring value to your brand, also known as brand equity. As a career professional, that translates to why you’ll get hired over someone else. Here are some tips to get you started with your personal brand launch this year.

Create a Domain. Create an address on the worldwide web where someone can find you. Consider purchasing a domain such as yourfirstandlastname.com. If designing a page sounds like a little too much right now. Just purchase one and park it for later use. A free alternative is creating an About.me page. You can find mine at http://about.me/cathy.francois. The template is simple and yet very customizable and can be linked to any other website or social media platform.

Social Media is a Must. This may seem obvious, but I have met some very reluctant souls. However, if you’re just starting out I recommend having a Twitter and LinkedIn account at the very least. They are not only great platforms to showcase your brand, but a fantastic place to connect with others who share similar interests. Other great social media outlets to consider are Pinterest, Instagram, +YouTube, +Facebook, and Google+. I personally use all of them. You can call me a social media junkie if you want to, but guess what? You’re reading my blog now :).

Share Your Knowledge Freely. Sharing your passion or expertise can be as easy as sharing a status update with links to relevant content or photos of your work. You can take it a step further through blogging or vlogging (video blogging). There are many platforms where you can quickly design a blog and start sharing such as Blogger, Typepad, or Wordpress.

Have Marketing Material. What’s a brand without marketing material? If you’re in the business of taking your career to the next level have a business card whether you’re entry-level, mid-level or C-suite level. Not a corporate card for an organization that you work for either. Your personal brand is one that you will take with you no matter who you work for. Think of the companies that you’ve worked for as your clients. Update your resume with key skills, knowledge, and accomplishments that your clients benefit from and develop a portfolio to showcase your best work.

Dare to Be Different, but be Yourself. As you figure out the best way to build your personal brand it’s easy to get caught up in the way others do things. You might be even intimidated by the knowledge of others. That’s okay; learn from them, but stay to true to what’s unique to you. If you have an idea to showcase your brand that’s different from what others are doing, go for it! Incorporate the right marketing and your audience will find you and appreciate your uniqueness.

Now imagine getting an invitation to your high school reunion today. What would your colleagues say about you now?  What would you want them to say? When it comes to your personal brand remember you create Y.O.U. (Your Own Universe).

Moving You Forward,

Cathy Francois, MBA
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

P.S. I provide professional and personalized career consulting. Available services include strategic career planning, résumé writing, interview preparation, LinkedIn profile optimization, and more. Email me to schedule a consultation. 

Summer Business Casual Casualties: Dress Code Drama

Summer time brings out bikini tops and flip-flops. We dress a little lighter to escape the heat of the sun. Even companies with stringent dress codes, may relax their rules during warmer months. However, some may become too lax about their professional appearance, turning summer into a human resources nightmare filled with dress code drama. While I know it’s hot this summer, here’s what’s not. 

Mountain High, Valley Low, Don’t let your Cleavage Show (from the front or the back). Victoria your secret is out. Yes, I saw the tattoo on the small of your back you tried to hide from your mom.  Wardrobe that is low cut or low-rise may equal job cut or no raise.

Press to Impress. Don’t be that Sloppy Joe or Dingy Jane walking into the office like your clothes got chewed by a goat (as my Caribbean mom would say). The “shabby chic” peasant style is not in. I know the economy is tough and a dry cleaning bill may seem like a luxury, but starch spray and an iron goes a long way. If you’re wrinkled like the dollar bill you forgot in your pocket, it may reflect poorly on you.

No Funky Feet. If you want to get your foot in the door don't let your feet get in the way.  Don't kick yourself with your kicks (sneakers) or flop your style with flip-flops. I understand you may commute via public transportation and don’t want to scuff your good shoes. Just switch them out when you get to the workplace. It shows that you care about and value your professional image; an asset worth noting.

Bring Spaghetti for Lunch, but Leave the Straps Behind.  To keep your skin in the game, cover it up ladies. I know tanks are a summer staple, so try layering with a light cardigan or blouse.

It is hot out there this summer, but remember to keep your business casual style cool and professional while you escape the heat. Have a safe and fun summer!

Moving You Forward,

Cathy Francois, MBA
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward
http://about.me/cathy.francois

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4 Signs You are not Likeable at Work

Being likeable or agreeable is a key component to your success in the workplace. And it all starts with your attitude, controlled by no other than YOU. If you’re a Debbie downer or negative ninja that clears the room like a stink bomb, this one is for you. If two or more of these signs apply to you, it’s time for self-reflection and self-correction by applying these solutions.

1. No one greets you when you come in. You walk into the building and barely make eye contact with anyone or people quickly look away. They are holding their breath and waiting for you to pass by because your negative energy stinks. Next time, greet someone with a smile and say hello. If the response is awkward, it’s okay. Give people a chance to adjust to the new you and try again tomorrow.

2. You don't have a lunch buddy. Lunch time is a great occasion to build relationships with your co-workers. If you’re in isolation during lunch, it’s time for a change. Politely ask to join a group that’s already at a table and have some small talk. Ask your co-workers what they are having for lunch; this may lead to an invitation. Or send out an email to your team letting them know where you’re going for lunch and offer to pick up orders.  

3. You've been fired or in fear of being fired more than a few times in your career. Do you think you would be the first person on the chopping block or cringe when it’s time for your evaluation? Do you come in with an attitude right at 9 AM wishing it was 5 PM? More than likely, it shows and reflection on you is not pretty. It’s time to reflect. You can change your job or you can change your attitude towards your job.

4. You find it difficult to come up with job references. Some people like being the big bad wolf, but I’m sure they feel sheepish when they are filling out their job application and struggle to find a person to say something nice about them. All that huffing and puffing blew everybody away. Foster positive relationships before you need them. 

If you think being likeable is about being a pushover or brown noser, then you got it twisted my friend. It’s about making a choice about your attitude daily, despite your environment and demonstrating your level of emotional intelligence in the workplace and beyond. Your attitude greatly impacts your quality of life, so choose wisely. 

Moving You Forward,

Cathy Francois
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward
http://about.me/cathy.francois

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Are you LinkedIn yet? What you’ve been missing

If you’re like me, you’re never the first to jump on social media sites because you don’t want to be part of a fad and have another long lost profile. A year ago, I finally created my LinkedIn profile because I was relocating and looking for new opportunities.  And my only regret is that I did not create one sooner. So if you are thinking, “I’m not getting on the social media bandwagon” or “I’m not looking for a job, why do I need a profile?” I suggest you reconsider quickly. With over 200 million users strong LinkedIn is more like a freight train than a bandwagon and you better get on board. Whether you’re new or fell off the wagon now is a better time than any with LinkedIn’s new profile design.

One-Click Endorsements. You can now endorse people in your network and others can do the same for you in just one click. This can be done by adding your skill sets to your profile such as project management, sales, customer service and more.  The easiest way to get an endorsement is by endorsing others in your network, which in turn they will receive a notification of your endorsement and LinkedIn will suggest that they endorse you.

Establish and Maintain Your Professional Identity. Does your network really know what you do? Do you have valuable information to share? Have you recently completed any special projects or certifications? Keep your profile fresh by updating information as they occur, which will make updating your resume a breeze when the time comes. However, be careful not to overdo it or turn off your activity broadcast through your privacy settings if necessary. That way if you need to do an overhaul on updates, people don’t get a notification for every change you make to your profile.

Follow Global Luminaries. Now you can do more than follow industry information, groups and companies. In addition, you can gain professional wisdom by following any one of 150 influential global leaders, such as Tony Robbins, Richard Branson and a bunch of other people you may have never heard of, but may want to know based on your interests.

The new and improved LinkedIn profile is streamlined, visually appealing, and helps you connect or reconnect with others better than ever. But don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself and discover opportunities that may await you this year.

Cathy Francois

Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

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How to Apply for an Internal Position without Burning Bridges

You’re at the office browsing through your company’s intranet site and found that the job of your dreams is available. “Eureka” you say to yourself as you hear the soft sound of the heavens opening up, because the stars are finally aligned and your moment has arrived. Pause; you just realized that may involve telling your manager.  Although you may like your current position, you know in your heart that you’ll have greater satisfaction moving on and you don’t want any hard feelings. So how do proceed with applying for an internal position without burning bridges? 

Here are points to consider before applying for an internal position.

Know your company policy. Have you met the tenure requirements? Do you need approval from your manager?

Inform your Boss. If you have a less than hostile relationship with your direct supervisor, I encourage having a conversation about how you would like to career path with the company prior to pursuing internal positions. This also puts them in a better position to put in a good word for you.

Reach out to your connections. This could be your direct co-workers who may have insight or those already involved in your department of interest. And if you don’t have any current connections you don’t have to wait until there’s an open position to form them. Be proactive; introduce yourself perhaps in the break room or at a company affair.

Act like an external candidate. Do not assume because you’re an internal candidate that you’re a shoe in for the position. Prepare like you would for an outside position. Leverage the advantage you have as an internal candidate by freshening up on the necessary knowledge and prepare your best presentation ever. 

Do your best work. While you currently may not be in your position of interest be mindful that your reputation precedes you. Don’t make it hard for your current coworkers (or supervisor for that matter) to say something positive about you.

Making a move forward in your career doesn't always have to involve burning bridges instead see it as an opportunity to create new ones.

Moving You Forward,


Cathy Francois
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

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