Spring Cleaning Your Personal Brand
Spring is finally here! And, all indications are that it’s going to be a good one.
The job market is looking up. Unemployment claims are going down. And, it’s hiring season!
If you’ve been thinking of making a change, now’s the time to get moving. But, before you do, you might want to take a close look at your “personal brand.”
If you’re like many people, chances are good that you’ve been waiting for things to get better. You may not have interviewed for a new job in a few years. And, because of that, your personal brand may be a bit rusty.
“Personal brand” seems like quite a daunting concept. Even if you’ve spent your career in marketing or sales, cleaning up your personal brand seems like such a big task.
So the questions are — Where should I begin? What should I focus on? Start with the most obvious and work your way from there.
- Social Media – The most obvious thing online is your social media. Be sure yours is locked down, especially if you’re actively expressing your opinions about our current political climate.
- LinkedIn – One of the first places your future employer will try to learn more about you is LinkedIn. Ensure that LinkedIn is up to date with your current photo, current job title, and current accomplishments.
- Your Resume – Once you catch your future employer’s attention, they’re going to ask for one thing – your resume. Be sure you’re ready for that. The last thing you want is to find the perfect job, or perfect employer — and have to tell them that you don’t have a current copy of your resume. Ensure that your latest job is included. Update it with your relevant work experience. Be sure your e-mail, phone, and address are all correct, so they can easily contact you.
- Your Look – One of the #1 things (honestly, possibly THE #1 thing) people worry about is their appearance. They are worried about appearing too young, or too old. Too large, or too small. Everyone worries about how they look. The thing that’s great about this particular area is that you have some level of control over it. Be sure your hair is an up to date style. If you use color, be sure you’re keeping up with it. Check that your favorite interview suit fits. If it doesn’t fit, or is outdated, head to your local store to look at how you might update it. Ensure that your dress shoes fit and are polished. Consider whether or not your glasses are dating you. And, if you are feeling upset about being out of shape, think of taking an extra walk here and there — or starting to head back into the gym.
Obviously, some of these things are harder to do than others. Some are quick, and some take time and dedication. Just remember, the process of spring cleaning your personal brand is just that — a process. It takes time. Be patient with yourself, but don’t delay. The sooner you start, the sooner your brand will be shiny and polished — ready to find your brand new, perfect job!
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
Featured Job: Business Strategist @ FedEx
FedEx is seeking a Business Strategist in Memphis, TN.
Lead the development and formulation of an Express global strategic plan that is integrated with FedEx and other operating companies, and which directly impacts Express financial returns. Represents FedEx Express’ strategic position and interests with other operating companies. Monitors and maintains integrity of strategic plan through the long range planning and budgeting processes. Acts as consultant to entities tasked with implementing strategic plan initiatives, and reports to senior management on the progress and effectiveness of those initiatives. Develops and coordinates management planning and performance forums for Express and Services management.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the FedEx website.
Featured Job: Project Manager @ Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report is seeking a Project Manager in New York, NY.
We are seeing a Project Manager to work with our content elevation team to implement creative vision on various projects. Once vision has been set, this role serves as main point of contact for both internal and external departments to create and air content. This role controls communication with graphic designers, video editors, animators, etc. to finalize content. This role does provide some creative influence on projects, but partners with various teams to resolve a wide range of situations in creative ways. This role also oversees logistical pieces of the project from brainstorming through activation. A successful Project Manager is able to wear many hats and be a true team player and enjoys working with many different people at the same time.
To learn more about the opportunity, or to apply online, visit the Bleacher Report website.
Featured Job: Consultant @ Toyota
Toyota is seeking a Consultant of Process and Standards in Dallas, TX.
The goal of the TMNA IS PMO is to improve the success rate of individual projects and programs as well as optimize the portfolio of projects to support Toyota’s strategic objectives. Consultant (Process, Standards COE) will work together with the Technology Manager (PMO Process, Standards and training) to deliver foundational processes, standards, and training to meet the needs of projects and programs.
Consultant – Process and Standards COE is responsible to work with the team of consultants and variable work force to perform research and analysis to understand PMO industry best practices and it’s applicability to TMNA IS projects/programs to deliver pragmatic and nimble processes, standards, and training that is aligned to Toyota culture. Candidate should have ability to work with TMNA IS team members, other PMO members and clearly communicate PMO vision and service offerings to the IS management team.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Toyota website here.
Featured Job: Manager, Asset Management @ Deloitte
Deloitte is seeking a Manager of Asset Management in Strategy and Operations in Chicago, IL and New York, NY.
The opportunity will include the following responsibilities:
- Managers will lead and deliver large, complex client engagements that identify, design, and implement creative business and technology solutions for large companies.
- Manager level responsibilities include: providing service excellence by identifying key client business issues, determining client needs by supplementing the standard assessment techniques and tools with innovative approaches, evaluating and validating analysis and developing recommendations for the client in the context of the overall engagement.
- Managers implement and oversee the quality of deliverables and effectively manage the team and day-to-day relationships to ensure exceptional performance.
- Managers participate in the development and presentation of proposals for business development activities.
- Managers can lead small engagements or components of large, complex engagements.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Deloitte website here.
Featured Job: Operations Manager @ Google
Google is seeking a Platforms Strategy and Operations Manager (Americas) in New York, NY.
Here’s a little bit about the position:
Businesses that partner with Google come in all shapes, sizes and market caps, and no one Google advertising solution works for all. Your knowledge of online media combined with your communication skills and analytical abilities shapes how new and existing business grow. Using your influencing and relationship-building skills, you provide Google-caliber client service, research and market analysis. You anticipate how decisions are made, persistently explore and uncover the business needs of Google’s key clients and understand how our range of product offerings can grow their business. Working with them, you set the vision and the strategy for how their advertising can reach thousands of users.
As a Platforms Strategy and Operations Manager, you will lead strategy for a critical area of growth for Google – our programmatic business. You will leverage your analytical, strategic and project management skills to help our leaders make informed decisions and execute quickly and flawlessly. Your entrepreneurial mindset will help Google see around the corner in this fast-paced, dynamic industry with business critical insights, informed by analytics.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Google website here.
Featured Job: Learning UX Consultant @ Medtronic
Medtronic is seeking a Learning User Experience Consultant in Memphis, TN.
This position has the responsibility to define, implement and manage the global learning user experience and learning portal strategy to enable Medtronic’s Career Development for All framework and present global learning offerings. Define and implement creative solutions to present the Global Learning and Leadership Development brand and offerings to global Medtronic employees. Define and maintain Medtronic’s learning measurement strategy leveraging best practices and industry leading measurement processes. Work with the delivery management and coordination team to produce and maintain standard reporting on key programs and course utilization.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Medtronic website here.
Lucky Break
During the week of St. Patrick’s Day, luck is on our minds. We may think, “When will I get my lucky break? When will it be my turn?” We may feel overlooked for things like promotions and raises.
From the outside, it can appear that those who are successful did it overnight. We can be left wondering how they were so lucky to get such a great title or to make so much money.
Unfortunately, a pile of horseshoes, four leaf clovers, and rabbits’ feet cannot bring enough luck to create success at work. Professional success is something that is built over years, from the ground up.
By the time someone gets a corner office, chances are good that they’ve spent many years climbing the corporate ladder to get there. In Malcom Gladwell’s book Outliers, he describes the “10,000-Hour Rule.” Gladwell says that the key to being an expert at anything comes down to practice – 10,000 hours to be exact.
But, it’s often not until the successful executive gets the big promotion that they catch our eye. We don’t see them hard at work for years and years. We notice the physical signs of success like expensive shoes, beautiful jewelry, or a shiny car that go along with their new title.
Former NFL football player Jack Youngblood said, “Good luck is a residue of preparation.” He’s right. In order to truly be successful, a routine of preparation is key.
To create success in our own lives, we must try to stop focusing on others accomplishments. Instead, we should try to refocus our energy on our own daily routine. The more we strive to be consistent and to grow, the more we will find success in our own lives
Creating success is also about doing more. It’s not about doing what’s expected and stopping there. It’s about asking for extra projects and learning new skills on our own. It’s about going beyond our job description – without being asked.
I recently interviewed two successful executives who received internal promotions within their own organization. Internal promotions are a frustrating area for many employees, as they often feel overlooked. I asked the executives to share what it was that allowed them to be recognized, and to be promoted internally multiple times. In both cases, their answers were the same. They expanded their educations on their own. They asked for more projects and responsibilities that were outside of their core skillsets. And, they introduced new ideas to the organization. It turns out that luck wasn’t part of the equation at all.
If you find yourself racking your brain about what’s missing in your career, it may be time to take a step back. Rather than waiting to be the chosen one, think of ways to create your own path and success on your terms. And, realize it’s not possible at every office. There are times when creating success may mean leaving your current company.
Whichever path you choose, you can create your own lucky break through hard work.
Featured Job: Business Application Advisor @ FedEx
FedEx is seeking a Business Application Advisor in Memphis, TN.
Here’s a little information about the position:
Under limited supervision, interacts with business partners and/or it staff to gather and document information related to requirements and/or software testing. Gathers information from multiple sources and independently sorts medium to high complexity business issues to recommend appropriate direction. Frequently leads large project efforts. Analyzes business processes and associates them to software deliverables. Develops and/or executes test scripts against requirements. Drafts and reviews documentation in compliance with the FedEx global development process. Develops and/or maintains a business model that reflects current processes and business rules. Provides and/or consolidate input to scoping and impact analysis for Future deliverables. Mentors those in less senior positions.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the FedEx website here.
Featured Job: Manager, Accounting @ Nike
Nike is seeking a Manager of Global Lease Accounting in Portland, OR.
As the Manager, Global Lease Accounting for NIKE Controlling, you’ll lead a high performing team that is responsible for ensuring, globally, that the organization recognizes cash spend associated with strategic and highly complex large-scale lease related transactions in accordance with US GAAP and NIKE Accounting Policy. You’ll actively partner with leadership teams throughout NIKE as they execute on strategic investments by vetting and communicating all relevant technical accounting considerations present in strategy. You will participate as a key team member and subject matter expert as the organization executes global real estate, technology, value chain, direct to consumer, sourcing and manufacturing strategies. You’ll design, implement and support sustainable controlling processes to enable ongoing growth and complexity as Nike’s strategic investment portfolio expands and scales to enable NIKE, Inc.’s growth trajectory.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Nike website here.
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