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 If it doesn’t fit, or is outdated, head to your local store to look at how you might update it.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!