8 Tips for ManagingYour Professional Brand

Boston High-Tech Recruiter

Presents…

Connect With Us:

www.CareerEncore.comRecruiter@CareerEncore.com

( Part 2 of 2 )

Intro – Part 2

• Many job seekers think their resume is the only thing to consider when seeking an interview

• Job seekers must support their resumes’ through the development of a professional brand

• Here are the final 4 of the Top 8 Essential Steps for Managing your Professional Brand…

Step 5: Stay in the Loop

• The best job opportunities often come through networking• DO NOT keep your job search a secret, if possible• Discuss your career plans with professionals & family members

– They will casually broadcast your candidacy as they go about their days– They may know of openings that fit your goals & expertise

Step 5: Stay in the Loop

• Choose your references with care– Provide people who can vouch for you & are relevant to the opening– If seeking a programming role, praise from a dry cleaner means far less than

praise from a Director of Engineering

• Let your references know you plan to use them– Fill them in on the position & why it’s right for you– References will have time to mentally prepare

• Will not be caught off guard when the phone rings, or an email arrives

Step 6: Show Off Your Trophy Case

• Condense achievements to convey the story you want to tell • Ask yourself:

– Am I showcasing relevant skill sets & specialties? – Am I illustrating a consistent career direction? – Are these highlights timely; not outdated?– Do these highlights tell a complete story?

Step 6: Show Off Your Trophy Case

• Numerous, unrelated accomplishments can imply a pattern of short-lived successes in a disjointed career– Be sure achievements relate to a handful of specialty categories

• Ensure cited accomplishments tie to & are supported by…– Your resume– Your references – Your interview

Step 7: Don’t Dilute Your Brand

• Ensure your brand is clearly identified– Make statements; NOT allusions

• Don’t assume all words & phrases are universally understood. – Acronyms used in one industry may not translate to another

• Verify via several sources – Terms used at your current firm may have different meanings elsewhere

Step 8: Be Who You Are, Not What You Do

• Your brand should represent…– What you accomplished - Past– What you can do - Present– Where you intend to go - Future

• You must display your overall demeanor & personality– Understanding personality is often difficult for hiring managers – One of the most subjective parts of the evaluation process

• Talk about hobbies, interests, & goals as appropriate– Especially when unique, such as sky diving or searching for a rare book

Step 8: Be Who You Are, Not What You Do

• Ask a third party to review you resume & other support materials– Are your skills & goals clear? – Do you make any contradicting claims?– Are your start/end dates, past job titles, etc., consistent? – Do you stand out as a unique & capable candidate?

Conclusion• Your resume is far from the only thing to consider when trying to

land a new job• All job seekers must support their resume through the

development of a professional brand• Applying for a job requires a significant amount of upfront work

– This saves time in the long-run by increasing your odds of getting hired

Need a Job Search Partner?• Looking for personalized assistance finding a job?• Contact: CareerEncore, Inc.

– A boutique recruiting firm serving Greater Boston-area tech companies– Seeking candidates from tech-driven companies

• Regardless of functional experience• (Development, Systems, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Operations, Executive Suite, etc.)

– We’re always looking for software engineers, programmers, & developers – Our commitment & experience enable us to match talent with opportunity

www.CareerEncore.comRecruiter@CareerEncore.com

(617) 242-4443

Sources

• Adapted with help from:– Michelle Stute, http://bit.ly/PohK5f– Alison Doyle, http://bit.ly/NZAjIK– Farra Trompeter, http://bit.ly/NZAq78

Thank You for Viewing Our Presentation

Brought to You By:

Boston High-Tech Recruiter

Connect With Us:

www.CareerEncore.comRecruiter@CareerEncore.com

(617) 242-4443