Job seekers should take a lesson from successful corporations if they want to stand out in the job market.  A brand is the image that comes to mind when you see or hear a name, product or logo.  Nike has a swoosh and the very successful Tiger Woods. UPS has their brown trucks and dependable service.  Establishing a personal brand may give you a competitive edge.  Your personal brand is your total perceived value as viewed by your audience.  It includes your competencies, personality and appearance.  Your brand is your reputation and it’s essential for future success. 

Your personal brand is more than what you do; you need not be defined by your job title or job description.  Start by identifying the special skills, talents and abilities that make you different from your colleagues. 

• What would others say is your greatest strength? 
• What do you do that you are most proud of? 
• What have you done to make yourself stand out? 
• What is your most noteworthy personal trait? 
• How do you add value to your organization?
• What are you passionate about?

Once you know what sets you apart from the competition, focus your message on who you are and what you stand for in your chosen field.  Clearly market yourself by increasing your visibility among your peers: take on extra projects, make a presentation at a conference, or write an article for a professional journal.  Establish yourself as an expert in your field and increase your notoriety.  Put a little bit of you into all your work to build a solid reputation and enhance your perceived value.   

Everything you do (or choose not to do) communicates your brand.  Personal branding is using what makes you uniquely valuable to stand apart from your colleagues and attract the attention of others who need to know about you. 

For more information, join the CEO staff for a workshop on creating your personal brand to be held at  Park National Bank Community Room, 7140 N. High Street, Worthington, Ohio on Wednesday, February 13, 7 to 8:30pm.  Pre-registration is not required. 

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."  ~Bill Cosby
Career transitions can produce anxiety and fear in the heart of even the bravest job seeker!  Many times, our fears become red lights in life, stopping us from moving forward.  Try seeing your fear as a yellow light alerting you to the possible dangers, encouraging you proceed slowly and take precautions to increase your chance of successfully maneuvering through the obstacles.  If fear is keeping you from pursuing your career goals, contact the CEO to discuss how we can help you create an action plan to overcome your fear.  Careerexploration@osu.edu, 614-292-3503 or 292-8493. 

Looking for an Ohio State course on self and career development?  Through a series of activities, exercises and discussion, students in “Self-Career Development” assess their career interests, values, work styles and skills to increase awareness and understanding of the steps involved in choosing a career or planning a career change.  Major topics include barriers to change, goal setting, resumes, and interviewing techniques.  This Spring Quarter course meets Mondays, 5:30-7:48pm.  For more information on EDU PAES 270B01, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 614-292-8860.

You have received this email in response to an inquiry made to the Career Exploration Office. If you do not wish to receive the CEO Career Tune-Up, please send your request to be removed from the mailing list to careerexploration@osu.edu.

Career Exploration Office, 152 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002
(614) 292-8493 or (614) 292-3503, www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org, e-mail: careerexploration@osu.edu.