Although current unemployment numbers are at all-time high’s, there are jobs to be had – to those who are best prepared. Whether you are currently employed or in professional transition, with the right approach, you can get the job you want even in this currently tight job market.
A powerful tool at your disposal is your professional appearance. It is common knowledge among career coaches, that the way you present yourself in the workplace is a critical key to impressing those in hiring positions, second only to job performance. If you are considering a promotion at your current company, dressing professionally allows your immediate manager and other decision makers to see you in the role you’d like to have.
Look at the way colleagues who impress you dress. Those in positions you aspire to are likely dressing a level up from their own position and are good barometers to prepare for your advancement. Even in a company with a relaxed dress policy, opportunities exist to take your appearance to the next level. Many employees will dress at the lower acceptable levels of a casual policy. Hold yourself to a higher standard that reflects discernment and quality in judgment. These trait inferences transfer to perceptions about your work and thought processes. In every situation, make sure that your clothes are clean, neat, pressed and appropriate for the environment.
If you are looking for job opportunities outside your current organization or are presently in transition, the networking circuit is a great place to begin building your personal brand. With so much change taking place now, networking events are plentiful. They present an environment to get in contact with people who either know about open positions or can put you in touch with those who do (gate keepers). Use the occasion to promote yourself with confident body language and a successful appearance. Some ways to do this:
1. Dress as if you are attending a job interview. Don’t wear your best interview suit if the environment does not call for it, but do dress with the same level of attention to detail and grooming.
2. Shake hands with everyone you meet using a firm web-to-web handshake and maintain direct eye contact, which demonstrates self confidence and sincerity.
3. Introduce yourself with your first and last name and repeat the other person’s name to cement it in your memory.
4. Prepare a "mini resume" calling card that features your contact information on the front, and a list of your key competencies on the back. This helps those you meet remember your objective and area of specialty. Give this the same attention to appearance and accuracy as you do your full resume.
5. At the event, remember that you are not the only person shopping for a job. Can you help someone else in his or her search? Chances are they will be willing to help you, too (and it doesn’t hurt your karma).
6. Follow-up with those whom you’ve made connections in a well-written email or LinkedIn invitation within a week of the event, ideally, within 48 hours.
7. Thank the host via email or LinkedIn. Consider a "public" thank you via LinkedIn recommendation or posting on their Facebook wall. This is great advertisement for them, and an opportunity to increase cayour public presence.
Social media sites are another forum within which to promote a professional personal brand in your job search. According to a recent survey by recruitment solutions provider, Jobvite, 80% of companies plan to use social networking to find and attract candidates this year. If the majority of your pictures on Facebook feature an inebriated, partying version of you, it’s unlikely to make a favorable impression upon a hiring manager. Practice prudence in your online postings. Remember that recruiters are using these sites as research, and findings can be a deciding factor in a competitive hiring environment.
There are several social mediums to consider, with LinkedIn ranked in the lead with it’s resume-like format. Even 3rd-place Twitter, though, is tapped by 42% of recruiters (Facebook is second lead). With this kind of activity, social media sites provide plenty of opportunity, but also require careful attention. Just like networking and presenting yourself daily at your company, you’ll want to "dress to impress" here too. What you put on your site pages represents you to anyone who visits virtually. Offensive jokes and lewd remarks won’t reflect positively on you. Also consider grammar, word choice, and typo’s when portraying your professional brand online.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index from Kelly Services showed in January 2008 that 32% of survey respondents found their most recent job online (including social media sites) and 21% found work via 'word of mouth,' like that which takes place at networking events. Conduct your search with savvy by putting your best self forward —both in person and on the Internet.
By Patty Buccellato
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