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. 

What Career Coaches Can’t Do for You

I love what I do and believe it's my personal calling to help others move forward in their careers. Whether I’m working with a student or doing private consulting I assist people of all walks of life with career planning, updating resumes, job search techniques and even motivation. However, with all the benefits of having a coach guide you through the sometimes complex job search process there are some things career coaches cannot do for you.

Coaches call the play; you drive the ball.

Can’t Drive You (figuratively or literally). Career coaches can give someone the tools and motivation to jump start their career, but it’s up to the individual to get behind the wheel and put the plan into action. We can make very strong suggestions, but in end you are responsible for the decision to follow through (or not) with any advice you are given. When you leave the office or hang up the phone with your coach you have to find what drives you personally in life. Is it your family, lifestyle, or financial gain? Ask yourself what motivates you and how can you tie that into your job search or career?

Make Something Exist that Isn’t There. The same way a beautician can’t make you look like Beyoncé, I can’t make you look like a stellar candidate if you’re not the right fit. I am not a magician or a genie that’s going to fly you on the red carpet to your dream job. By no means am I a dream crusher, however like a basketball coach is aware of the strength and weakness of her players, I am not going to encourage someone to seek a position that I believe doesn’t play to the person’s strengths. We want to see you win!

Shoulder Your Burdens. There are things that happen in life (some within or not in our control) that impacts our ability to achieve career success. I get it and I empathize with you, but I won’t sympathize with you. As a career coach I do need to know your challenges to partner with you, but leave your excuses behind as it will serve as a road block towards a solution. We want to see you move forward!

Employ You. We are not hiring managers. Career coaches may find you leads, introduce you to a connection, but you have to be prepared and do the work to seal the deal. Today’s job market is quite competitive to say the least and coaches give you the tools to help you rise above the pack; use them to your advantage. We want to help you get hired!

We can help you create a strategic career playbook, but remember you are the star that’s going to run the play because all great players have a coach.

Moving You Forward,

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

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Life After Graduation: Paving the Way to a New Career

A friend of mine, who I admire, wrote this profound statement on her social media status, “Don't let one goal end without setting another in motion.” I immediately thought that it was timely advice for many soon-to-be college graduates. Have you thought about your career after graduation? What do you want to get out of your degree? Here are some tips on career planning ahead.

It’s Your Career: Own IT! News Flash: Having a degree in _____(you fill in the blank) is not your instant meal ticket to success. When you hear someone say, “This degree has done nothing for me,” it’s probably a result of poor career planning. Remember in life you’re guaranteed nothing, so be intentional about your next move. Very few people get handed opportunities so create a path to collide with them.

Apply Patience. Your first job after graduation may not be exactly what you always dreamed of, but proper planning will help ensure that it’s at the very least a building block. Most recent graduates obviously lack experience so seek opportunities to gain experience prior to the completion of your program if possible through internships, volunteering, or participating in student professional organizations.

Ready or Not Search Early. Keep a pulse on industry trends and what the market demands so you can prepare and align yourself accordingly. Starting your job search before you’re ready will do just that. It will be easier for you to discover where to look, who to connect with and uncover resources along the way without the pressure of finding something immediately.

Write It Down. Whether you create a formal plan, flow chart, journal, or simply list your goals, writing them down will increase your chances of following through. When choosing your career goal don’t write something down because it sounds good. Ensure that it’s connected with your desire and passion.  Do not let your present circumstances detour you from dreaming big.

If you’re thinking, “I wish I would have gotten this advice earlier,” it’s not too late to implement these tips. Transitioning into a new career? This is for you too. Remember what lies ahead in your career depends on the plan you laid before. Ready or not…set….GO PLAN!

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

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Soul Search before You Job Search

My previous blog post was on creating a job search plan to get the job you want. But why go through the trouble of creating a road map when you haven’t decided on a final destination. It’s a plan that will work for most people just as long as you know what want. However, if you’re not sure which steps to take next, whether you’re early in your career or a transitioning professional,  the following tips may be able to help you find your way.

Think Outside Titles. Do remember as a kid people would ask you, “What do you wanna be when you grow up?” There are thousands of job titles out there and by the time they grow up some of them will be obsolete and new ones will develop. When asked that question as a kid, not once I said career coach, account executive or academic advisor. Instead we should ask, “What do I like to do? What am I good at? Think about what you’re recognized for among your circle of friends. Are you the Martha Stewart or computer whiz among your peers? Has anybody said, “I could see you doing….”? Take the time to assess your skills, interest and most importantly your values.

Explore. As a professional in higher education it amazes me how many people decide to enter a career without any real research.  Watching an episode of C.S.I. or Grey’s Anatomy does not qualify as research either.  Consider taking assessments such as those found on CareerPath.com by CareerBuilder to get an insight on what career paths may fit your skill set, personality and values. Research ideal careers even if you’re not sure what you’re looking for because when you seek you shall find your “aha” moment.

Don’t Settle. If you want something just to pay the bills, that is what you’ll get. Stop and listen to your inner voice. Sometimes we do know what we want, but simply don’t pursue it because we think it’s out of our reach. Or is it that we need to reach out to take the next step. What you want to do doesn't have to be popular or easily understood by others. Just know that if it’s your passion and calling, then success is almost inevitable. 

Remember nothing last forever.  Although important, this is not the be-all and end-all decision it seems. Knowing that each job is temporary really helps relieve the stress of making a decision. Besides, you can decide to explore other options and transition to other careers later. In the end do your due diligence; search within and research before embarking on your next job search quest. 

Moving You Forward,

Cathy Francois
Career Coach
Founder of Rezume Forward

P.S. The job search process can be complicated. Thankfully, you do not have to create a plan alone. Let’s team up to create a personalized plan to help you achieve career success today. Email me at cfrancois@rezumeforward.com

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