Job hunting is very personal and emotional, and, let’s face it – stressful.  Sometimes in the middle of all that emotional junk, we forget the basic parts about self promotion.  I’m here to get you back into focus by sharing my insider knowledge about job hunting and self promotion tips.  I speak about this a few times a year at design schools and it’s always a great experience.

Knowing WHO you are, knowing WHAT you want to do (or at least knowing what you like…) — is only the first step in mastering this first step in your job hunt+personal branding.  The words in your resume and the words you use to describe yourself & your work have to match what your works looks like, your personality, what you stand for, what you are known for, how others see you, where you want to work…and on and on.  ALSO creative continuity in your portfolio and in your client projects is not enough.  You have to have it with YOU. With your OWN PERSONAL BRAND.
I challenge you to do this exercise right now. Grab pen and paper and a printed copy of your resume & marketing materials (if you have any):
# 1.  Write down 10 words that describe you.  Write down 10 words that describe your work.
# 2.  Scan your resume and marketing materials and circle all the times you use the 20 words you just wrote down.
# 3.  How many circles do you have? 5? 3? 10? 15? Any less than 20 is too little.
NOW – here’s the work part:  Get those words into your resume PRONTO!
  • Use those words in your emails.
  • Use those words when you are interviewing, when on the phone, when networking – everywhere.
  • Communicate those words when you talk about yourself and your work.
  • Use these words when talking to everyone.
  • Practice all the time
  • If you can’t speak for yourself or your work, how will you speak (and sell) your client’s work? (And, yes, they will be thinking the same thing.)
  • Learn to articulate your thoughts and expressions and you will see results.