Blog Post: Personal Branding: The Key To Competitive Advantage In Job Search

In a recessionary economy, value and personal brand equity are king as it relates to securing and sustaining employment. So, I ask you, "Do you really need a professional personal brand in our current employment environment? The answer is YES! The bottom line is that employers desire and hire candidates with the most experience, relevant education and value for the organization. More importantly, employers negotiate higher salaries for employees that not only meet requisite requirements, but that also embody the essence of the position, are industry experts, have a solid command of competitive intelligence, are thought leaders and are well networked. The development of your personal brand allows you to clearly communicate such value and positions you to market yourself more effectively to decision makers!

If you are still pondering  the value of developing a personal brand, ask yourself: How do I stack up against the competition? What do I bring to the table, other than requisite or basic position requirements? Do I have a thirty-second pitch that communicates my value? If downsizing were required, why would my boss tap my peer on the shoulder, as opposed to me? Why should an employer select me over thousands of other candidates? Do I understand that a professional personal brand is not a resume, but rather the embodiment of value that I deliver? What have I done recently to develop or drive my competitive advantage? If asked, can I concisely articulate my value? What is my professional personal brand and how do I describe it? In addition to my resume, do I have a professional bio and profile?

These are critical questions that require your attention, if you are to conduct a successful job search, reduce your time among the ranks of the unemployed and get the job you deserve. TLT Consulting Services specializes in personal branding, career reinvention and career marketing. Now is the perfect time to develop your personal brand! Let TLT Consulting Services "Show You The Power of Your Personal Brand!"

Until next week,

Terri L. Horton, MBA,MA

President, TLT Consulting Services, LLC

Personal Branding & Career Marketing Strategists

www.tltconsultingservices.com