STRONG SELF-BRANDING WILL INCREASE YOURCHANCES TO GET ADREAM JOB

By Grit International

LESSONS FROM CHEETAH ON JOB HUNTING

FOCUS

Manual No 4

In our initial blog called “Whatdo European graduates have incommon with cheetah whenhunting for a job?”, we offered 3basic steps to help graduatesimprove their job searchexperience and reach theirgoals faster.

In our approach,

the second step was explainingthe need for focus through thejob application process.

In this fourth manual, we wouldlike to direct your attentiontowards the power of self-branding in the process ofsearching for a job.

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Keep in mind that clarityaffords focus!

Organizations spend millions on employer branding with the aim to positionthemselves as great places to work and as a result they are able to choose fromthe greatest talents. Wouldn’t it be nice to reverse the power distribution so thatyou could choose from a pool of employers whom you would like to work for? Asa prerequisite you need to create and communicate a personal brand thatdistinguishes you from your peers and other large numbers of applicants for thesame job.

The problem is: Most of us aren’t natural self-promoters.Reasons are varied: We are shy or insecure, we are unaware of our strengths or wesimply don’t want to appear as big-headed, pushy or arrogant.

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Self-branding done properly is not about boasting. It’s a subtle positioning of one’sstrengths and qualities. Self-branding answers the question: How do I want to beseen by others and what can I offer that other people can’t?

Similar to a company making great investments into its Employer Brand, self-branding requires a conscious and continued effort on your side. The result ofdistinguishing yourself from the mass, however, is priceless!

Creating and communicating a strong personal brand is essentially a 4-step process:1) Raising self-awarenessAny brand is only convincing if it lives up to its promises. Therefore, for your personalbrand authenticity is key. In order to be authentic, you first need to figure out whatyou are really good at and what that distinguishing factor is that creates value foryour environment and potential employers.

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2) Selecting key strengthsGetting clarity on your strengths and capabilities is vital. However, it’s equally importantto select only a few key strengths that really make you unique and valuable for yourfuture employer. Setting a focus will prevent you from being too broad and unclear.

3) Increasing self-confidenceBefore you can finally showcase the selected strengths, it’s important that you are ableto speak of them with confidence. Being able to speak of your strength with confidencemakes your story convincing and leaves a lasting impression. The best way to feel securein talking about your strengths is to start linking them to specific situations andachievements in your life. On top of that, practicing your story line is the only route tomastery in presentation. Every politician, reporter and actor spends hours in preparationfor the speech they need to deliver. That means you need to do the same: Withoutstrong preparation, there will be no successful presentation.

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4) CommunicatingOnce you have woven the core qualities you’d like others to associate you with intoan authentic and compelling narrative, you can start delivering your communicationso that your personal brand is recognized by others. Communication includes bothinteraction with specific individuals as well as your general online and offlinepresence.

We hope that this overview clarifies what self-branding and self-promotion is anddoes. It’s not a blunt marketing instrument, it’s rather the art of being and portrayingyourself – at your best.

Stay tuned and follow us at: www.grit-international.com/point

By Grit International

SOON TO COMEManual No 5: "Knowing how companiesselect candidates will: make you strong

and keep you calm."