Brand for the Job You Want
We’ve all heard the saying, “dress for the job you want,” but before you even have the chance to meet a potential employer in person, you can make the right impression with your application to earn a seat at the interview table. The job application process can be overwhelming and discouraging at times when you know you’re sending the same black-and-white, standard resume as the other 100+ applicants vying for the same position.
Presentation is everything and can change the game in helping you stand out among the competition. These tips will help you define your personal brand and ace the job search, while also balancing the fine line between professionalism and personality.
Not a creative guru? Don’t worry – we have some resources you can use to develop your personal brand. Just make sure you credit the designer or software service so the employer doesn’t assume it’s your own work.
Know your industry.
The last thing you want is to spend time developing an amazing brand that doesn’t quite fit any of the jobs you are applying for. Do your homework on the industry to gain a better understanding of the type of brand you may want to develop and how you want to come across on paper. For example, professional service companies like accounting or insurance firms will likely appreciate a traditional and clean look, while creative, design or media businesses might prefer to gauge your skillset with a more graphic, out-of-the-box look.
Develop your brand.
Your personal brand is so much more than a resume. Your brand is everything the potential employer will see from you, including the initial email you send inquiring for the job, resume, cover letter (which is separate from the email), website, social media accounts and even your email (it’s time to upgrade from soccergirl98@aol.com). The key to a great personal brand is ensuring everything is consistent throughout all branded materials – from your email signature to your portfolio website. Design your brand with your personality in mind, while also keeping it simple and professional.
If you don’t have experience with Adobe programs, Canva is a free and easy tool with hundreds of great resume templates to choose from. If you’re applying for an industry with a creative side, make sure to credit Canva in the bottom corner to not mislead the potential employer on your skillset.
Build your application.
When you’re ready to design, choose a layout that is well organized and easy to read with consistent spacing and plenty of room in between each section so it doesn’t appear crammed. Write down everything you want to include in your resume in a separate document so you can organize the information efficiently on your design document.
You typically can choose two fonts – one for your header (your name) and the other for the remaining content. Here are some tips to make sure the fonts pair well together. Usually, a sans serif font is best for a clean look. Once you choose a layout and font, it is best to keep these consistent throughout your entire application by using the same header for your cover letter and the same font style and size.
Set up your presentation.
It is always a best practice to export all the files you are submitting into a PDF. If the company can’t open the application you send, they likely will skip over it rather than going to the trouble of requesting the correct file format from you. Take that a step further and compile all of those files (resume, cover letter, writing/design samples) into ONE PDF document so they can review at once instead of opening five documents.
Recruiters and HR managers sometimes sift through hundreds of applications and making their job easier with an organized, visually appealing application could be difference in making it to the next round of the hiring process.
Our PUBLISHED by Peritus takeaway is this:
Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through when building out your personal brand, but also remember to keep it professional to “brand for the job you want.”