Martin Buckland Speaks

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
866-773-7863 | 905-825-0490 | UK +44 02030049990

  • Home
  • About
  • Upcoming Engagements
    • Market Your Brilliance Workshop
  • For Meeting Planners
    • Newsroom
  • Blog
  • Contact

Top 5 Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid During a Job Search

June 2, 2014 by Martin Buckland Leave a Comment

© Junial Enterprises - Fotolia.com

© Junial Enterprises – Fotolia.com

When you’re looking for a job, you want whoever you’re meeting to see you as a valuable addition to their team, company or project, or to immediately see the value you will bring to someone in their network of influence..

The process of marketing yourself is about creating a personal brand – a summary of what you’re known for, what you stand for, what you’re best at, what you value, and what people can expect from you.

Here are five personal branding mistakes that could sabotage your job search:

  1. Not having a LinkedIn profile photo, or using an inappropriate photo. Use a current headshot (head and shoulder view), where you are well groomed and professionally dressed. There should be no one else in the photo.
  2. Not completing or customizing your LinkedIn profile. Use the LinkedIn wizard that tells you what percentage you’ve completed, and aim for 100%. With a customized profile address (URL), you can easily add it to your resume, cover letter, biography, business card and any other job search marketing collateral..
  3. Dressing inappropriately for in-person meetings  – Dress according to the job you’re after. Conduct due diligence on the potential employer; stand outside the building and watch employees go in and out to see how they’re dressed. Power tip: Do this the day or week before your interview, when you plan your route and practice the drive to make sure you’ll be on time.
  4. Not being able to articulate your personal brand statement in person or over the phone. What makes you so special that the other person should be compelled to choose you? That is your unique promise of value. You get bonus points for a value statement that is 15, 17 or 19 words, since psychologists claim the mind picks up on odd numbers of words faster than even. Articulate this statement verbally and in all written materials.
  5. Showing negativity in conversations, both online and in person. Employers hire positive people; not negative people. If you’re struggling to cope with your anger, disappointment or fear about being out of work, share those feelings with a spouse, friend or coach so they don’t come out in meetings with your career influencers.

Your personal brand is the most important thing you bring to all of your job search activities, meetings and interviews. Avoid these common blunders to make the best impression and move ahead with your career goals.

Share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on google
Google
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
Linkedin

Filed Under: Personal Branding Tagged With: Job Search

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your First Two Minutes With a New Person »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Booking Information

Look After Number One, You!

Tips and Tricks to Recession-Proof your Career!

Learn More

VIDEO
Click to see Martin in action

In preparation of a merge between two multibillion-dollar companies, Martin was brought in to lead a workshop with some of our leadership team in order to prepare our resumes and social profiles for the merger process. Martin brought a wealth of experience and provided valuable insight that was supported by current facts and figures from multiple job markets.

Contributing Author
"All Jobs are Now Temporary"

Latest Tweets

MartinBuckland MartinBuckland
@MartinBuckland: Do you wish your career got you THIS excited? Maybe I can help https://t.co/eRp80OwiSQ https://t.co/wLEG4u13Ao

- 4 hours ago

h J R
MartinBuckland MartinBuckland
@MartinBuckland: Showcase Your Expertise in a Meeting with an Executive Recruiter https://t.co/dtEIBnfkyF

- 16 hours ago

h J R

Recent Posts

  • Your Best JobReferences
  • Is a Career Change in the Cards for You? 6 Steps to Consider
  • The Benefits of a Personal Brand
  • How To UNCOVER the Unadvertised Job Market
  • Top 8 Telephone Interview Tips

Contact Martin

Martin Buckland
martin@martinbucklandspeaks.com
4 Fairway Court, RR#1
Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 2L0
Phone: 905-825-0490 | Toll Free: 866-773-7863 | UK +44 02030049990

Copyright © 2023 Martin Buckland Speaks. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy