By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
What makes you special in an ordinary world?
5 tips for professional branding to help you go further
Do you feel like you’re being completely ignored in the job search process? You know, like your resume is only one out of a thousand. Yes, that’s a big deal in today’s crowded marketplace, but listen, there’s a very effective way to make sure you’re the one who gets noticed. So let’s break it down.
OK To really understand this, we have to go back in time. Let’s delve into the story of the advertising world of the 1960s.
Imagine a smoke-filled boardroom, a bunch of tobacco executives, and they have this big problem. See, every cigarette is basically the same. Worse, they can no longer make any health claims.
They were completely trapped. So, a creative director is in the room and he just listens to them talk about their process. Then he heard a little word, “Toast,” and boom, a lightbulb above his head went off.
He pointed out, Hey, wait a minute. Everyone bakes tobacco, right? But Lucky Strike is probably the only one talking about it. This is the story you tell.
This is the one thing that sets you apart from others. That’s the connection to the modern job search. Think about it.
You may have the same degree, similar years of experience, and nearly the same skills as dozens or even hundreds of other people applying for the same job. So what makes you unique? How do you become the person they actually remember? This is the harsh truth. If your resume and LinkedIn profile only list your job title and responsibilities, you’re essentially invisible.
You are just another senior financial analyst among many analysts. To a recruiter scrolling through hundreds of profiles, you will look like everyone else. Let me tell you, this is a losing strategy.
OK So what’s the solution? You have to find the baking quality that works for you. It’s all about figuring out and defining what makes you uniquely valuable.
In other words, it’s about building your personal brand. Just look at the transformation here. Senior financial analyst.
OK That’s a job title. It’s who you are, but eliminate inefficiencies, improve quality, and increase revenue.
Now this is what you do. See the difference? This simple little shift turns a completely passive label into an active commitment to the value you will provide. This is a perfect example of how simple, yet incredibly powerful, branding can be.
Imagine your entire company network goes down. Very confusing. Who are you going to call? Some general sysadmin or someone who confidently says “I solve problems”.
hurry up. The choice is completely obvious, right? So, it all boils down to your personal brand being your unique promise of value. Here’s your answer to this crucial question.
Why should I hire you instead of someone else? To find yours, you have to ask yourself some tough questions. Like what problems do I seem to solve for people over and over again? What do all of my biggest wins have in common? That’s where you’ll find the gold.
That’s your brand. OK I get it.
This sounds great in theory, but you might be wondering, does this stuff actually work in the real world? Well, let’s look at a great case study that shows how powerful rebranding yourself can be. This story is so incredible. So this woman has been unemployed for over two years, two years.
As you can imagine, she’s pretty much convinced herself. She offers nothing of value, but that’s just the way it is. She achieved so much.
She’s not even talking about it, she was part of a team that won a regional Emmy. That all changed when she started marketing herself as an Emmy winner, and she found work almost immediately. The lesson here is huge.
You must declare your achievements. Even if they are part of a team effort, they are part of what makes you who you are. OK
Assume you have completed your work. You’ve defined your brand. You know what makes you toast? Amazing.
But what now? Well, the next step is to make sure the world knows this. So where exactly do you put this new information to work? The magic word here is consistency. Your brand must be everywhere to create a unified message about who you are.
We’re talking about a powerful LinkedIn headline that makes people stop scrolling, a value proposition platform that tells your story, and even something as simple as your business card or email signature, each of these small touchpoints can reinforce your professional image. When you start doing this, amazing things will happen. You are no longer just another applicant.
You will become a strategic marketer for the most important products you own. Trust me, this sends a very powerful signal to employers. It tells them you are a professional who knows how to convey value.
A respected man/woman – build your own brand to stand out
But hang in there. This is much deeper than just coming up with a catchy marketing slogan that gives the brand real power. It must be genuine.
It has to be rooted in who you really are. It has to be rooted in your character. Imagine saying this during your last interview.
You say, look, now, I’m sure we’re all qualified for this job. I can’t speak for anyone, but I can tell you that I’m very proud of my reputation and my character. Wow.
When all candidates are technically qualified, what is left? This is character. This is integrity. This is your reputation.
This is the ultimate differentiator. You can’t fake it, you can’t copy it. This is the basis of trust.
That’s what every employer is really looking for. Have this idea. This is sometimes called the Law of Harvest, and it truly shows how character is built step by step.
This didn’t happen overnight, right? Everything starts with an idea. This thought will lead you to take action. It is enough for you to repeat this action.
It becomes a habit that, over time, shapes your character. Ultimately your character determines your destiny. So finally, what is your brand? It’s not just some clever title you make up for your LinkedIn profile.
never. It is the sum total of all your actions, habits, and reputation. Do you know what it is? It’s the stories people tell about you when you’re not in the room.
This is a destiny you are actively building every day.
10 Steps to Becoming a LinkedIn Subject Matter Expert
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. These things may involve job hunting, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transitions, and advice on solving workplace problems.
Seven Steps to Building an Expert Brand
I simplified my job search at JobSearch.Community. Becoming an Insider gives you access to all my video courses, books, and guides, as well as the ability to ask questions and receive responses within 24 hours. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you access to everything I mention and schedules 2 Zoom calls with me per month. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll get everything I’ve already mentioned, plus we’ll provide group or individual coaching.
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