Why Should You Care About Personal Branding

Why Should You Care About Personal Branding Personal branding keeps growing in importance, you can barely go online without reading about it. We are now at a stage where most professionals and business owners really need to dedicate time and effort to strengthen their own brands as a part of their daily routine. With business being ever more competitive, your best way of staying ahead of the pack is to stand out and have a unique brand amongst peers. In the end, it’s all about what you are known for. Others should be able to say what your unique promise of value is once they see you or your name. Here are 5 great reasons for creating and building your personal brand: 1. Grow your network Expanding your network is hugely important to business success, it opens up avenues you never thought of. When you have a strong brand you will notice that people want to know you and help out any way they can. Your personal brand works like a magnet and it attracts like minded people which can be very useful for your business or career, just like you can be useful to them. Networking is all about karma, help others and they will help you. 2. Attract opportunities As a result of your expanded network and you having a strong presence online, not only will people help you but some will actually have relevant opportunities for you. This could be a customer referral, a joint venture, co-writing a book, a new job or an investment in your business. Your personal brand demonstrates success and that is what others will be looking to tap in to. 3. Establish credibility Your personal brand is your unique promise of value and as long as you add this value to others on a consistent basis, you are gaining trust and credibility. This trust will be your best and cheapest promotional activity, as word travels fast when you do great work. Let your customers be your fans and become your brand ambassadors. 4. Increase your online clout As you build your personal brand, you will notice that you get a loyal following online. This following will put you in a position of influence, as others listen to what you have to say. You can turn your clout into business as long as you do it in an authentic and trustworthy manner. 5. Securing work A magnetic brand will ensure that you keep busy. You and your services will always be in demand, as long as you live up to your personal brand. This is a good comfort in case your workplace is facing downsizing, or one of your biggest clients are in financial distress. There is little you can do about external factors but you can rest assured that your strong brand will help you attract other opportunities instead. Bottom line Your name is your greatest asset and will stay with you for the rest of your life. Transforming it into a personal brand that others will recognize and appreciate is your best strategy for long-term success in business. By standing out from the crowd and showing the world how unique you are, you will be equipped to tell your customers why they should choose you instead of the competition. Remember, the stronger your personal brand, the more likely you will be to have a great demand for your services and you will be in a position to charge a premium for it. Related: How to Build Your Personal Brand in 10 Simple Steps Image: Shutterstock

Writing and Editing in Resume Format

Writing and Editing in Resume FormatWriting and editing your resume can be a very effective way to go about getting your foot in the door of the jobs you want. The goal is to write the resume in such a way that it entices a hiring manager to call you in for an interview. Once the hiring manager has called you in, your resume and interview will speak volumes about you and your personal characteristics.The first step in writing your resume is to create a catchy title that will catch a hiring manager's attention when they are browsing through a resume. You can use all of the popular titles such as Executive Summary, Longer Bio, Resume Review, and others. Just make sure that you find one that will encourage a hiring manager to move forward with you.When writing your resume, make sure that you keep it within the same basic resume format. It is very easy to get carried away with too many graphics, colorful fonts, or bold lettering. Too much color can make your resume look over the top. You want to be able to read through the resume without taking it apart, so stick to the basic resume format.Next, let your resume be short and sweet. You want to focus on the important information, and you don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager with too much information. Think of your resume as a menu. You should have at least two pages in your resume and always follow the guidelines in the resume format. One page will have a brief summary of your education, professional experience, or skills, and the second page should provide your contact information, your previous job, and how this position will best fit with the job posting.Editing your resume should not be done on paper alone. Editing your resume can take place on a computer using a program like Microsoft Word. This will save you time because you won't have to worry about handwriting mistakes. You may want to use a Microsoft Word extension to save yourself some money in the long run. It is worth the small amount of money to ha ve Microsoft Word software that will save you time.Once you are finished with the writing and editing in resume format, you can use a professional editor to proofread and edit your resume. It is a good idea to do this on a computer, but it does not mean that you should forget to do it at home. There is nothing wrong with letting the family know that you are working on your resume so that they do not put it off.When it comes time to send out your resume, be sure to submit it early and often. Make sure that you let the hiring manager know how you feel about your resume so that they will see the improvements and then include your resume on their next job posting. Just be sure to include the correct contact information, and give your references.When it comes to writing and editing in resume format, it can be a very good idea to do it right from the beginning. Try to proofread your resume before you send it out, and then allow a professional to get it edited before you even send it out.

How I Learned to Embrace Failure - Classy Career Girl

How I Learned to Embrace Failure Ever since Brene Brown took the stage and equated TED to being a  failure  conference, the idea of failing  seems to have become the new mantra in business and life. The sooner you can  fail and then course correct and try again the quicker youll get results and ultimately achieve success. How I Learned to Embrace Failure So whats the problem? How hard can it be to  fail? Really hard, actually. Especially if youve been someone whos accustomed to following the rules and meeting everyones expectations your entire life. If you got As in school and always did what the teachers said If you stayed in the same career, even though youve always daydreamed about doing something else If you diligently saved every last penny and rarely invested or indulged in anything for yourself That was me and in some ways Im still like this. By many measures, I achieved success because I followed the rules and colored between the lines do x, y, z and youll get a good grade, get the job, and have money for retirement, even though youre too nervous to spend it. By following the rules, I was successful  at everything  except  for  failure. Not surprisingly, the more I succeeded, the harder it was to let myself  fail. Failing  became something scary and unacceptable. And thats a problem. Because while there are obvious benefits to doing well in school, staying in one career, and diligently saving for a rainy day, the flip side is becoming stuck in a comfort zone, worrying too much about what other people think and being too fearful to take risks  risks that may be necessary for you to get to the next level. Its the dark side of success that no one told me about. But, just as Brene Brown and all the others who came before her have done (fellow experienced failures like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Oprah, Diane Nyad  to name a few!), I had to learn for myself that Failing  to  fail  is a  fail.    [Tweet that!] As hard as it is for me to not always color between the lines, I am starting to realize that doing so is much more funand a necessary step on the road to  true  success. Are there areas of your own life where you could use a little more  failure  and a little less success? Come share your challenges around success and failure in the comments below.

Seven Road Trip Safety Tips

Seven Road Trip Safety Tips Whenever you are behind the steering wheel of a car, whether with passengers or alone, your top concern should always be arriving safely at your destination. It’s now easier than ever to be distracted, so it’s crucial to know and implement safe driving habits every time you’re on the road. Here are 5 essential road trip safety tips: Prepare Your Car A good place to start preparing for a safe road trip is your vehicle since it will be your means of getting to where you want. Follow car maintenance tips that can make your car last longer and plan weeks ahead for any unforeseen repairs. Go over the following and adjust if needed: Coolant Brakes Engine oil and transmission fluid Spark plugs Spare Tire Tire Pressure and tread condition Belts, caps, hoses, and filters Lights, signals, all wiper blades and windshield wiper fluid Prepare Yourself Getting yourself ready for a road trip is just as important as preparing your vehicle. Let people know where you’re going and try to hit the bed early at least 3 days in a row before your trip. Check your cell phone signal range and make sure you can reach an emergency operator. Spend some time before your trip to familiarize yourself with the weather forecast and routes you’ll be traveling. On the day of your journey make sure to wear comfortable clothes and confirm you’ve packed the necessities: First aid kit Blankets and pillows Water and snacks Travel brochures and maps Tool kit and cutting tool CDs or books on tape Waterproof matches or lighters. Jumper cables and flares Check Hotels in the Area or Make Reservations If you plan on making a stop for an overnight rest, make it easier by doing the following: You should only make reservations if you have an idea of where you’ll be stopping for the night. What if there’s a nearby festival, concert, or some sort of celebration? You want to put yourself in a position where you can get a room at a decent price. You will save gas, time, and money if you don’t have to get on and off exits or stop at different hotels to find out the rates and availability. Plan and figure out hotel locations and room prices so you can compare them. If you have no idea where you’ll be stopping for the night and you’re waiting to get a room when you’re on the road, make sure you call to make reservations in the early to mid-afternoon. Most hotels will start filling up by late afternoon and early evening hours. Look around for hotels that offer a family discount, automotive club and warehouse club discounts, etc. Avoiding others who are driving aggressively Breathe and let go of road rage. Take a passive approach in dealing with aggressive drivers. Assume that the other driver may have uncontrollable anger or a medical condition that causes them to be unreasonable. If you have a driver that’s tailgating too close, tap on the brakes a couple of times to let the driver know he needs to increase his distance. If the driver doesn’t get the message, slow down gradually and he’ll be forced to overtake at the next opportunity. Avoid making gestures.   Proper driving etiquette was taught in driving schools but some drivers seem to have forgotten. If you notice a car speeding or aggressively switching lanes behind you, stay in your lane and maintain your speed. When the timing allows, you can fall back to make room behind the vehicle ahead of you so the speedster can move into the gap without feeling the need to overtake several cars at once. He’s no longer your problem. If you notice signs of aggressive driving on the highway, maybe two drivers consumed with road rage, slow down or pull over to avoid them. Remember, what matters is your safety, not being right! Be Smart with Gas Mileage If your trip is a long one, you may have to spend a chunk of your budget on gas alone. Here are some tips to save on gas: Try to purchase gas in the early morning hours or late in the evening when the gas is cool and dense. Observe the speed limit. You can save close to 21% more on your gas mileage if you travel at 55mph versus traveling 10-15 miles over. Go easy when accelerating or braking. Make a smooth acceleration when going from 0-60 mph to save close to 30% on gas mileage. The same applies when stopping. Having windows open while traveling at high speed will increase air drag on your vehicle which can reduce your gas mileage up to 10%, so keep them closed. Avoid driving on rough roads, they can reduce your gas efficiency by 25%. Remove unnecessary weight from your car to improve your gas mileage. Make sure to maintain the maximum tire pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Check your blind spot every time Though rear and side view mirrors do a good job of showing what’s behind the vehicle, they still have areas big enough for bikes, cars, and people to hide in. That’s why it is recommended that drivers should check their blind spots before: Merging with other traffic Pulling out from the kerb Changing lanes, for instance, when passing or overtaking Parking or moving from a park position And during a three-point turn Adjusting the side mirror so that the side of your car is out of sight or installing a rear view camera can go a long way in minimizing the size of your blind spot. Be Safe and Alert While Traveling The final road trip safety tip is about being alert while on the road. Take the following into consideration while on the road: Wear your seat belt and make sure every passenger does the same. Scan the road far ahead for hazards so you can anticipate problems before they develop. Make a habit of scanning for vehicles in the side and rear view mirror Stay alert when you have a tailgater or an aggressive driver close by. Slow down. Speeding might get you there faster, but it gives you less time to react and increases the impact of a car crash. Make sure you are not driving in someone’s blind spot. When you approach a vehicle beep twice so they know you are there especially large vehicles. Unless it’s an emergency, avoid pulling over on the side of the road â€" especially at night. Make sure you have enough gas between exits. Take breaks and stretch your limbs to avoid cramps and to improve your sharpness. Watch other drivers around you, take note of what they are doing, and always expect a sudden move. Avoid multitasking. Let 100% of your attention be on the road; Maintain at least a 4-second cushion between you and the vehicle ahead so you can respond to sudden moves. This means you need to assume other motorist will do something crazy, and give yourself time to react. Increase this to 8 seconds at night, in foggy or rainy conditions, and when the road is wet. If you feel tired, try listening to music, roll the window down, or transfer driving responsibility to someone more alert. Finally, remember why you planned the road trip in the first place, relax, and try to take in as much of the road as possible.

Are There Any Other Words For Resume Writing?

Are There Any Other Words For Resume Writing?Are you starting to wonder if there is another word for resume writing? Many job seekers think they are the only ones who wonder this. I have been asked countless times, whether it is possible to write a resume that does not say 'resume.'My reply to this is that you can be very specific in your resume. At the same time, you should leave some wiggle room. For example, maybe you want to do something different than everyone else out there. I personally like to talk about my experience and qualifications.But when you are writing your resume, don't forget that you are speaking a language that millions of people speak. Also, you should have a knowledge of what your country's legal laws are. For example, if you want to work for the United States, the United States government requires you to have legal documentation from you.The last but most important point to remember is that there is no one else who has all the knowledge on your specific indust ry. You need to make sure that your resume is tailored to your specific industry.This is very similar to creating a resume that talks about your hobbies and interests. The rules are the same. If you want to talk about your hobbies and interests, you should give this information in your resume.The key is to find a specific topic that is related to the job. Once you have written your resume, you need to print it out and put it into an envelope. By doing this, no one can find your resume and steal your skills.By sending a letter of application, you will get to know whether you got the job or not. This is the best way to get the information about your resume written. Many recruiters like to write letters of applications.So make sure that you include your resume in your letter. They love to get their hands on resumes. They love to see the word resume on the paper before they accept them.

Leverage LinkedIn for Professional Success (Special Guest Post)

Leverage LinkedIn for Professional Success (Special Guest Post) Social Media sites like LinkedIn have changed the job landscape as more people are being found by recruiters and hiring managers using these tools.  To shed light on how YOU can best leverage LinkedIn for personal success, I asked  Miriam Salpeter, owner of Keppie Careers to share insights from her new book Social Networking for Career Success.  In my book, Social Networking for Career Success, one of my mantras is that there is no one social network for all job seekers. Some people are more naturally talented writers, others may be terrific on video, and some people are great talkers, so a radio show may be good for them. (I am thrilled to include great tips in the book about how to succeed with your own radio show from Maggie. Of course, not everyone can have a show on SIRIUS, but podcasts and online options are available for the rest of us!)Even though I don’t like to mandate social networks, I make one exception: LinkedIn is an absolute “must have” network for professiona ls and careerists. It has become the go-to network for recruiters and hiring managers seeking skilled professionals. Even if you don’t use any other social networking tools, make a point to create a strong, targeted profile on LinkedIn to help people who may be looking for someone with your skills and experience find you.To maintain a complete LinkedIn profile, it’s important to include:Your photo, preferably a close-up of your face, looking friendly and approachable.A professional headline. This is not the same as a job title, although it may include a job title. It is what people will see when they look through lists of people on LinkedIn, so be sure to include key words describing you and what you offer. Include descriptions of your expertise as they relate to your target jobs.  Personalize your LinkedIn URL by selecting “Edit Profile” and scrolling down to the LinkedIn URL for your public profile. Choose “Edit” and scroll down to your public profile URL. If possible, set this to include your first and last names (no space). If that is not available, consider including a middle initial, or even words related to your business. For example, “JohnSmithPR.”Include your current position and at least two past positions, even if they were internships or relevant volunteer jobs.Complete the education section.Create an in-depth, personalized bio for the summary. Think about a story to hook the reader and make them want to know more about you.Highlight your specialties by including them as a list of keywords or phrases. (Find the best keywords by reviewing job descriptions, company websites and blogs and industry publications and conference programs.)Display at least three recommendations from employers (preferred) or colleagues.Completing these steps will allow you to have a 100% complete profile, which helps people find you via LinkedIn for career opportunities.Thank you Miriam!  Read more about how to use LinkedIn in the free, downloadable chapter of Social Networking for Career Success.  I definitely recommend her entire book!  Copies are available from Amazon or your favorite bookseller. CNN named Miriam Salpeter a “top 10 job tweeter you should be following” and Monster.com included her in “The Monster 11 for 2011: Career Experts Who Can Help Your Search.”  She teaches job seekers and entrepreneurs how to leverage social media, writes resumes and helps clients succeed with their goals. Miriam writes for U.S. News World Report’s “On Careers” column and  blogs at KeppieCareers.com and GetASocialResume.com.

My Three Words for 2014

My Three Words for 2014 Three words can drive momentum, maintain focus and prioritize your efforts! Will you take the Three Word challenge? Credit Chris Brogan For This I cant take credit for this exercise- full credit goes to Chris Brogan. (I really hope you check out his post with his three words for 2013 PLUS his words from previous years!) And I bet tomorrow you can check out his three words for 2014! Brogan says  in 2010: Pick three words that help you the way a lighthouse helps a ship in a storm. Give yourself a word that guides you towards a powerful new opportunity, and that keeps you focused on what comes of this year. Personal Performance When I look back over the past year (or two), I fully admit, Ive floundered, drifted and procrastinated. Were all human, right! But I can honestly say, having these words on my office white board have made a difference. They become my mantra. They help fit the pieces together and help me realize when they dont fit. 2013: Connection. Reflection. Direction 2012: Persistence. Performance. Deliver.   Resolutions Didnt Work Resolutions are tough. They seem too big a commitment. Thats why I wrote Gearing Up for the Next Big Thing. I dont think a goal should take a full year to accomplish. When I used to make a New Years Resolution I felt like it was unachievable due to its enormity. Chunking resolutions into smaller bite-sized pieces makes them actionable! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and have the ability to carry them through. My Three Words for 2014 Sensation. Promotion. Veracious. Credit to http://www.visualthesaurus.com/ Sensation has to do with the many senses that Ill address in developing content this year! Yikes, I said it! So, expect visual and audio content. (Think infographics and podcasts and perhaps some video too!) And sensation has another implication as well. I plan to make an impact on the people I interact with. I was going to use the word engage, but that seemed kind of trite. Promotion is about helping people understand how they can become better at promoting themselves! Not the braggart type of horn tooters, but the kind that know how to take credit where credit is due! There are so many ways self-promotion can be done delicately- without turning off others! Veracious. No, not authentic. Veracious:  habitually  speaking  the  truth;  truthful;  honest. It has always been part of who I am. Ive gotten myself into trouble sometimes, but, I wouldnt trade this for anything! You know the saying: The truth shall set you free. What are your three words for 2014? There are loads of other people doing this! Join the movement!