Ever search for yourself online? If so, don’t feel ashamed. It’s not necessarily a sign of an overdeveloped ego. Instead, it might be a healthy trait in a world where personal branding has become an important aspect of career advancement.
One study found that around half of all people Gen X or older have Googled themselves in the past. That includes more than one in 10 Zoomers who look themselves up on a daily basis.
While a daily frequency might seem extreme, knowing what the internet says about you can make a significant professional difference. After all, three-quarters of companies formally require their HR staff to use online research during the hiring process. If you aren’t Googling yourself, companies are certainly doing it when you apply for a job.
These online searches are more than just busy work for HR managers. The information found often plays a major role in hiring decisions. This becomes obvious in the fact that 70% of recruiters and HR professionals disclose that they have rejected candidates based on info they discovered in an online search.
If you’ve run into this stumbling block, it might be time for a rebrand. Here are a few steps you can take to upgrade your reputation and improve your chances of finding your dream job:
Considerations when Rebranding for Your Next Career Search
Define the Brand You Want to Target
Before making any shifts in your public presentation, you want to clearly understand where you want to go. As part of this, you need to define precisely what message you want to send to prospective employers. From here, you can demarcate the brand you want to personify.
Here are a few steps to keep in mind as you define your new brand:
- Figure out your strengths and weaknesses
- Spotlight points of differentiation between you and an average job candidate
- Highlight your accomplishments
Leave the Past Behind
Rebranding involves a change, an evolution. You are headed towards a new conception of your professional self. As part of that process, you’re also leaving behind some of the qualities that defined you in the past.
Of course, you won’t change everything. Your new brand might involve many qualities that have gotten you this far. However, be prepared to leave some things in the past.
Create a Narrative
Branding often involves telling a story. As such, think about the quick elevator-pitch narrative you would use to sum up your career so far. At the same time, consider a brief way to recap where you want to go.
Crafting this narrative will help define many of the details of your rebranding. It should include the points of differentiation you discovered earlier in this process. The approach will also help you explain the value you provide prospective employers — information that sits at the heart of any professional brand.
Develop a Rebranding Plan
Once you’ve defined the core tenets of your new brand, it’s time to put the rebranding into action. This involves taking advantage of multiple communication techniques at once. As part of your rebranding, look at possibilities like:
- Resume/Cover Letter
- General Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok etc.)
- Other Media (Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube, etc.)
Connect with Your Network
Most rebranding involves upgrading your online presence. However, you can also help yourself with a more old-fashioned approach. As part of this, reach out to your professional network to reframe the way your industry (and, by extension, potential employers) see you.
Looking for Assistance with Your Next Career Opportunity?
Ready for a new career path? Rebranding can help launch that journey. Meanwhile, a partnership with a top recruiter, like Hiregy, can further open your horizons.
Contact Hiregy today to get started.
