If you’re looking for a job, you face fierce competition. How can you stand out from the rest of the pack? What can you do? I have three words of advice. You must be:
- Relevant. If you’re not relevant, you are obsolete.
- Different. If you are not differentiated, you are not marketable.
- Findable. If you are not findable, you do not exist.
That was the premise of two workshops on personal branding I recently led for a nationwide conference attended mostly by university students who would soon be entering the turbulent job market. Hundreds of students, along with their faculty representatives, came from across the nation for what was billed as the nation’s largest leadership development and networking symposium for students, faculty and nonprofit professionals.
Following is the structure of the workshop, and also the sequence of the upcoming blog posts where I will elaborate on my suggestions for personal branding.
1. How to Be Relevant in a Competitive Job Market
B. Convert Features into Benefits
2. How to Differentiate Yourself in a Competitive Job Market
B. Create a Unique Elevator Speech
C. Blend Personal and Professional
3. How to Be Findable in a Competitive Job Market
B. Expand Your Digital Footprint
I enjoy leading workshops and writing blog posts, not so much because of the wisdom I might impart, but rather because of the conversations that ensue. I learn from others.
Collectively we are all smarter than any of us individually, so I welcome your thoughts on any of these topics. Tell me what you think.
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I communicate with passion and purpose to inspire those searching for beauty and truth.
Duane's Dartboard 
I’m not seeking to change jobs, but I do want to be relevant, different, findable and READY when an awesome opportunity lurks. Great food for thought as I embark on refining my personal brand!
Thanks, Kristin, for your comments. I’m proud that you’re part of my professional network and I know you already have an impressive personal brand. If you’re like me, though, you realize that it will always be a work in process.
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