By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Teena Rose
The EMTs arrived at the house in the wee hours of the morning to find Tiger lying on the ground bleeding, and his wife standing over him with a golf club. As the story goes, he attempted to leave his home, and wound up crashing his car into a tree. His wife told officials she had used the golf club to break into the car and free him.
Hmm…many thought. And, rumors began to circulate.
- Why was he driving off in the middle of the night?
- Was he having an affair?
- Were he and his wife having an "altercation" over the issue?
Police, the press, and Tiger’s many fans wanted answers – and boy, did we find out.
What possible lesson can Tiger Woods teach job seekers about their brands?
In a blog post, I talked about brand transference, or what I also call the bleeding brand. No doubt, Tiger’s brand certainly bled as he tried [both silently and after speaking out] to control public opinion and perception about the incident with his wife. Unfortunate for Tiger, plenty of negative commentary has poured into blogs and articles — inadvertently turning him into a poster child and one to watch for responding to what some experts call digital dirt. He has plenty to overcome, no doubt!
Job seekers focused on building their online brands also face controlling negative publicity attracted by others. True, job seekers aren’t typically worried about press junkets being pushed back/canceled or multimillion-dollar endorsement deals going sour. But, job seekers need to worry about second interviews being canceled or job offers being retracted after employers uncover damaging online information that negatively effects their images and brands in the eyes of those who hire.
What should job seekers, and Tiger Woods, be doing to build and preserve their personal brand?First, always have a steady flow of positive coverage (i.e. blog posts, tweets), which helps push any negative comments about you into the “back 40,” where it’s less noticeable. Definitely more difficult for Tiger to achieve, sure, but I guarantee his “people” are working on generating positive press coverage as I’m typing these words.
Second, don’t let people rent space in your head. Terrific advice my brother gave me once, while I was going through a difficult time. Negativity causes a loss of confidence; making us sometimes second-guess our next moves...and in some extreme cases, become immobile. Don’t let it happen. Stay the course, remain positive, and go hug your kids for their benefit as well as yours.
Third, there’s always something to be learned, more so when we or our brands become tarnished. Always look for the silver lining.I read a great quote today…solidifying my point, actually: “Thinking creates an image. Images control feelings. Feelings cause actions and actions create results.” — Spoken by Bob Proctor. Although I’m not a fan of Tiger’s actions, nor any man that partakes in infidelity, I do believe something good will come out of the mess Tiger is in.
Fourth, keep yourself moving and mining. One characteristic I love about Oprah is her dedication to reading, asking questions, and looking for alternate views — seemingly before she forms her own. Intelligence comes in part by identifying one’s own weaknesses, and by moving (learning) and mining (researching) to deflate those weaknesses. No doubt, continuing to learn and excel on a personal and professional level helps build and preserve your personal brand.
Teena Rose is a Personal Branding Strategist, Career Coach, and Professional 10-Year Resume Writer. She is highly endorsed and recommended, making her your best choice for job-search and career success. She has been helping professionals grow, excel, and succeed since 1999. Contact Teena at admin@resumetoreferral.com, via LinkedIn and/or follow her on Twitter.By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Teena Rose
The EMTs arrived at the house in the wee hours of the morning to find Tiger lying on the ground bleeding, and his wife standing over him with a golf club. As the story goes, he attempted to leave his home, and wound up crashing his car into a tree. His wife told officials she had used the golf club to break into the car and free him.
Hmm…many thought. And, rumors began to circulate.
- Why was he driving off in the middle of the night?
- Was he having an affair?
- Were he and his wife having an "altercation" over the issue?
Police, the press, and Tiger’s many fans wanted answers – and boy, did we find out.
What possible lesson can Tiger Woods teach job seekers about their brands?
In a blog post, I talked about brand transference, or what I also call the bleeding brand. No doubt, Tiger’s brand certainly bled as he tried [both silently and after speaking out] to control public opinion and perception about the incident with his wife. Unfortunate for Tiger, plenty of negative commentary has poured into blogs and articles — inadvertently turning him into a poster child and one to watch for responding to what some experts call digital dirt. He has plenty to overcome, no doubt!
Job seekers focused on building their online brands also face controlling negative publicity attracted by others. True, job seekers aren’t typically worried about press junkets being pushed back/canceled or multimillion-dollar endorsement deals going sour. But, job seekers need to worry about second interviews being canceled or job offers being retracted after employers uncover damaging online information that negatively effects their images and brands in the eyes of those who hire.
What should job seekers, and Tiger Woods, be doing to build and preserve their personal brand?First, always have a steady flow of positive coverage (i.e. blog posts, tweets), which helps push any negative comments about you into the “back 40,” where it’s less noticeable. Definitely more difficult for Tiger to achieve, sure, but I guarantee his “people” are working on generating positive press coverage as I’m typing these words.
Second, don’t let people rent space in your head. Terrific advice my brother gave me once, while I was going through a difficult time. Negativity causes a loss of confidence; making us sometimes second-guess our next moves...and in some extreme cases, become immobile. Don’t let it happen. Stay the course, remain positive, and go hug your kids for their benefit as well as yours.
Third, there’s always something to be learned, more so when we or our brands become tarnished. Always look for the silver lining.I read a great quote today…solidifying my point, actually: “Thinking creates an image. Images control feelings. Feelings cause actions and actions create results.” — Spoken by Bob Proctor. Although I’m not a fan of Tiger’s actions, nor any man that partakes in infidelity, I do believe something good will come out of the mess Tiger is in.
Fourth, keep yourself moving and mining. One characteristic I love about Oprah is her dedication to reading, asking questions, and looking for alternate views — seemingly before she forms her own. Intelligence comes in part by identifying one’s own weaknesses, and by moving (learning) and mining (researching) to deflate those weaknesses. No doubt, continuing to learn and excel on a personal and professional level helps build and preserve your personal brand.
Teena Rose is a Personal Branding Strategist, Career Coach, and Professional 10-Year Resume Writer. She is highly endorsed and recommended, making her your best choice for job-search and career success. She has been helping professionals grow, excel, and succeed since 1999. Contact Teena at admin@resumetoreferral.com, via LinkedIn and/or follow her on Twitter.
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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