Personal Branding for Soon-to-be-Grads

Why I’m on LinkedIn and Twitter and you should be too

Essential keys to the digital job search

Disclaimer

• I’m not an expert. I just read a lot. (And I blog about how UNC seniors can use Web 2.0 job search strategies.)

• Goal: share my job-search experience and research thus far

Ask the Audience

• How many of you… – Are looking for a job?– Are on LinkedIn? – On Twitter?

• Why are you on those networks?

Why you need to use Web 2.0

• Scary stats– Fewer jobs + more grads and laid off workers – More competition

• It’s a Google world– Just like you Google a company, they Google you

Utilizing Web 2.0

• Create a profile and they will come. NOT.• You need a strategy.

Personal Branding

• Managing the way others see you – perception = truth. You are now a product.

• How do you want to be known?

Personal Branding Process

• Discover – this is the hard part• Create• Communicate• Maintain

This is our focus

Discovering your brand

• How do you want to be known?– What’s your passion?– What are your favorite classes?– How do your friends describe you?

• Eventually, your brand will become your “unique value proposition”

Brand Attributes

Also add human!

My “brand”

• Not sure what kind of job I want, but I’m best when I can be strategic, efficient and creative

I’m happiest when I can blend my passions for strategy, creativity and efficiency to produce high-quality, budget-friendly results.

Creating your brand

• Infuse your brand into everything– Resume– Cover letter– Business card– Portfolio

Take your brand online

• LinkedIn (must have)• Twitter (strongly recommend)• Faceboo (optional)• website/blog (optional)

You can use online to show off your work and become a thought leader or just have a web presence

LinkedIn

• Facebook + resume • Recruiters are here, you should be too (plus,

it’s a Google entry)• Tone = professional, but personal (especially

for PR pros)

Optimizing LinkedIn

• Custom url (linked.com/kellygiles)• Have a picture! No red cups, please.• Craft a smart, succinct first-person summary• Use personal connection requests• Give and ask for recommendations• Other: groups, networking, promotion,

research (people and companies)

Example: My LinkedIn

Personal invite: include where/how you know the person

Summary: some variation of your brand statement

Custom URL: ideally, will have same extension for all accounts

Picture: head shot (color is probably better)

Advanced Options

• Research, networking and groups – help you communicate your brand

• Go to LinkedIn!

Twitter

• Microblogging (140 characters max)• Recruiters are here, and so are CEOs and

PR pros• Lets you communicate your brand • Tone = friendly, personable and helpful

Optimizing Twitter

• Handle & bio• Website• Picture• Background• Follow people• Engage with @ and RT and tweet useful info• Would you say it in an interview?

Golden Rule

• Build relationships first. If you wouldn’t ask a stranger on the street for a favor, don’t think it’s OK on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Resources

• sdfstarheelsintransit.wordpress.com• Personal personalbrandingblog.com• Follow PR pros, personal branding and social

media experts on TwitterPR Pros/Advice

@heatherhuhman@PRSarahEvans@dmullen

Branding/Careers@danschawbel@sweetcareers@dailycareertips

Social Media@mashable@emd5005@Twitter_Tips

Questions?