Building Your Personal Brand

Building your personal brand is something that has become essential for all professionals young and old in the current global economy. Your “Brand” dictates how others identify and perceive you.

Here are a few tips on building and maintaining your personal brand.

1. Identify your specialty
What are you good at? In order to create an effective brand you need to figure out what sets you apart from the competition. What can you do well that others cannot? What is your area of expertise?  Your specialty may be a result of your educational background, your personality or natural talent.

2. What kind of image would you like to project?

You need to identify how you want others to perceive you. This will depend largely on your specific field of work and expertise. For example if your field is IT you may want others to perceive you as a intelligent, technically sound, punctual and professional. In this field it may not be a disadvantage to be perceived as a “nerd”. If your field is Public Relations for example, being perceived as shy and nerdy may be a disadvantage as this field requires an extroverted and outgoing personality.

3. Be active on Social Media
Social media is a valuable tool to help you build and promote your personal brand. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are all outlets for expressing yourself and getting your message across. It’s important to be YOU on these social networking sites.  If you are posting a photo of yourself make sure it’s professional, true to your brand, appropriate and authentic. Avoid hiding behind fancy usernames and fake photos, this defeats the purpose of building your own brand.

4. Maintain a polished and up to date CV or Resume
Your CV or Resume showcases your achievements. Make sure you have it up to date and ready to go in case clients or potential employers request for it.  Having a current CV on hand is key to promoting and supporting your personal brand as you can have a hard copy of what you have achieved thus far. As soon as you obtain any new education or training, be sure to add it to your CV. For more information on resumes check out our post Resume Writing Tips

5. Expand your network

Expanding your network of contacts and building new connections is a great way to build your personal brand, as more people will be aware of your expertise. Forming mutually beneficial relationships is key as contacts will have an incentive for staying in touch with you, and you will be in touch with more people. Don’t be shy, seek out the people you need to meet and introduce yourself!

6. Market yourself at networking events

Self marketing is an important component of building your personal brand. Getting your name out in the open is essential to making your brand synonymous with your  field. We recommend attending local networking events where you can make new connections and make others aware of your skills and expertise. Remember not to over promote; attend events to make connections but maintain brand consciousness and let others know what you’re good at and what you do.

7. Seek out feedback

In order to be successful in building your own brand you need to be aware of your strength and weaknesses as a brand. The best way to do this is via peer feedback. Ask friends and mentors to give you feedback on your brand. Remember to seek out constructive criticism from sources you trust; those who have your best interests in mind. We recommend linking up with other professionals who are also in the process of building their own brands and setting up a peer mentor group so you can provide each other with insight, feedback, and support.


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

10 Do's and Don'ts of Office Attire

1. Clothes that are poorly tailored and ill fitted are not appropriate for business wear.
Poorly tailored clothes make one look frumpy and ill clad for business. One must remember that first impressions count immensely in the business world and poorly tailored and ill fitting clothes will definitely not give out the image one wants to create in the business arena. Boxy blazers and tops as well as tight fitting tops are inappropriate for office wear. A well tailored suit/ blazer with pants or skirt will give out a professional look.

2. Overly revealing Clothing is a definite No. Too little is too much. 
Revealing clothing be it a low cut blouse or a mini skirt is a definite "NO NO" for the office. Skirts with slits that extend above the knee are not suitable.

3. Underwear is not to be worn as outerwear.
Camisoles are to be worn under a blazer and underwear should be "underwear" meaning they should be worn under other clothing and not to be seen. It portrays a ill image when bra straps are exposed or when pants are worn so low that it reveals underwear.

4. Muscle shirts and spandex is not appropriate. Workout gear is not suitable office wear.
Muscle shirts and spandex is  for working out and for the gym. Never for the office. It's very unprofessional to see one in work out gear, working in an office. This is very poor taste for Business Attire.

 5. Immaculately cleaned inexpensive clothing is far better than soiled and crumpled designer wear.
One doesn't have to buy expensive clothing to look well put together. Clean and well fitting clothing is far better than crumpled and soiled expensive clothing. the over all picture is the image you give out. A well groomed person gives a far better image than one in crumpled un-ironed designer wear.

6. Wearing shorts to work is considered wrong.  However, Walking shorts are considered appropriate in certain offices.
Most offices do not encourage shorts to work merely because shorts come in many different lengths. However, some offices do specify walking Shorts. shorts that extend up to the knee are appropriate when worn with a clean well tailored blouse. Shorts and t-shirt however, do not give a professional image.

7. Micro-miniskirts that make it impossible to sit comfortably are definitely not appreciated in the work place. 
As mentioned above, too little is never too good for the office. Minis skirts make it very uncomfortable for office work, not only for the wearer but also for the other employees.

8. Mismatched bright coloured clothing is actually not appropriate.
Its always best to avoid bright clothing in the office. Geometric designs or pastel floral designs are acceptable and make a personality statement. Polka dots in black and white or neutral colours are acceptable.

9. Most businesses have a dress code and it will do one well, to stick to the dress code.
Most offices want their employees to adhere to a dress code in order to avoid uncomfortable situations. It serves well to follow your office dress code and help avoid embarrassment.

10. Use common sense. Anything that indicates to you that it should not be worn, should not be worn.
Common Sense is the best guide to dressing appropriately in the work place. Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t!


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Quick Tips for the Business Traveler

Business travel is not always complementary flights and first class lounges. Most business travelers have to deal with long layovers, jet lag, and delayed flights. Here are few tips we’ve come up especially for business travelers.

1. Stay hydrated
With complementary alcohol on board and in business and first class lounges its tempting to indulge in a few drinks. The best away to stay hydrated is to stick to water. Avoid indulging in alcoholic or carbonated beverages. Don’t rely on caffeine to stay awake either as tea and coffee are both diuretics which will in turn dehydrate you.

2. Pack no iron or wrinkle-resistant clothing

Companies such as The Bay and Banana Republic offer wrinkle resistant clothing. No iron clothing is recommended as you may not always have access to an iron, depending on where your travel takes you. A wrinkle eraser spray is also a good investment.

3. Pack effectively

Pack appropriately for the amount of time you will be away. If it’s just a weekend or 3 days you probably won’t need to take a checked bag and can use a carry-on. If your trip exceeds five days you should opt for checked luggage. Cabin baggage should be packed effectively and consist of : a set of professional attire for the next day (should you luggage be lost), your night clothes, and a set of casual attire. Most people skimp on packing their carry-on and forget to account for lost luggage.

4. Avoid eating a heavy meal on board

Eating a heavy meal on board can leave you feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and nauseous. Although jet lag may be causing you to be excessively hungry, try to limit the amount of airplane food you consume. Eat prior to boarding and bring a snack with you. Food bought at the terminal prior to boarding can usually be brought on board. You can also opt for dry packaged food such as granola bars or crackers. Avoid  heavy meats, pastas, and any foods with creamy sauces or dressings

5. Make room for meds

 Getting sick is the last thing you want on a business trip. We recommend packing Gravol to combat nausea or motion sickness, Imodium for an upset stomach or diarrhea, Tylenol for minor headaches and body aches as a result of flying, and ZzzQuil to help you sleep on the flight and adjust to your new time zone.

6. Bring your adapter

Voltage rates vary across the world so we recommend bringing some adapters to ensure that your laptop and cell phone can be charged at your new location. You may need to do some research before to find out what kind of adapter you need and ensure you have one that will fit correctly in to the wall socket at your destination. Charging your laptop and phone on board is recommended so you will be fully ready for your business meetings when you land.

7. Add a little O2

We discovered a product called Liquid Oxygen by O2 Spa Bar (a gender free formula is available in duty free shops). Adding a few drops to your water while on board will help with fatigue and jet lag. Remember to add it only to water and not any carbonated or alcoholic beverages. You can also place a few drops on your tongue for a more concentrated dosage.

8. Stay in touch

If possible purchase a sim card that will be compatible with your new location. You can do this prior to departure or on arrival. We recommend using a local sim card as roaming rates can be quite expensive. Purchasing a roaming package from your wireless services provider prior to departure is a good idea in case you are unable to locate a local sim or need to get in touch with your office during your journey.


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Job Seeker the new Job Title for Recent Grads?

Since the 2008 recession jobs have been a scarcity in North America and many have been left either out of work or looking for work. But where does this leave new graduates? Although the economy took a hit many universities have still boasted of high enrollment numbers in graduate programs. In fact many undergraduates have opted to stay in school and further their education. Even those recently laid off have decided to seek comfort in education looking to increase their knowledge and widen their scope or even seeking to try a second career later on in life.

It seems that now Job Seeker is the new job title for recent graduates. Although Universities are cashing in on the influx of graduate students in post-recession North America, they fail to realize that the market simply cannot handle more job seekers. There are too few jobs available and too many unemployed or underemployed graduates. New grads often have to compete with more experienced job seekers who have been laid off due to recent cuts in the private and public sectors.

Last month Canada's unemployment rate remained steady at 7.2% even as the country added 12,500 new jobs; increases in unemployment rates in the maritime provinces and some prairie provinces resulted in no change in the overall rate. So where is it toughest to find a job in Canada? Newfoundland had the highest unemployment rate across Canada in April coming in at 12.4%, not very inspiring for young job seekers.
 

Being a full time job seeker is tough, but the biggest mistake new graduates make is devoting 8 hours per day or more to online job searches. Although many firms advertise vacancies online, most jobs are found through networking and connections. In order to make connections job seekers need to ditch the computer for some face time and handshakes! This means attending networking and social events. Job seekers should not be ashamed of letting others know that they are indeed looking for work, this is a great way to self-market and expand your database of contacts. That’s not to say that online vacancies should be overlooked, but we suggest spending no more that 2 hours per day applying online and devoting more time to in person interactions.
 

Joining a local Chamber of Commerce or Student/Alumni union is a great way to make new connections. Many Job Seekers feel demoralized by the fact that they don’t have a job and often feel pressured to find or accept just any job just to have a title so to speak. The sooner they embrace Job Seeker as a title the faster they’ll be able to market themselves to their connections and reach potential employers.

Although you make connections don’t oversell yourself. Chances are your new connections will ask you what you do, stating that you are now a professional Job Seeker will pique their interest and prompt them to ask you what kind of work you are looking for. Here’s your window but be careful not to seem too desperate. State what you are looking for and what relevant experience and skills you can bring. Even though joining social and networking groups can cost money you must view this as an investment in yourself and a way to create and maintain your personal brand. It’s all in the way you look at it, you can market yourself as a “recent graduate desperate for money to make ends meet” or a “Professional Job Seeker looking for an opportunity in  . . . “   Which one sounds better? We think the latter. 


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

5 Things to Remember When Writing Your Resume

With the current unemployment rates in both Canada and the U.S. many young graduates and even seasoned veterans are left pounding the pavement looking for work.  In order to secure a job you not only need connections but a resume to present yourself as well.

Here’s our look at 5 quick resume writing tips:

1. Cut it short – There is a stark difference between a resume and curriculum vitae. One main difference is length.  While a CV can be upwards of 3 pages long and contain details about your professional and academic life, a resume should be 2 pages at its longest and contain some academic qualifications but mostly work experience.

2. Profile it – Include a profile in your resume. A profile should act like a snapshot of your entire resume. Make sure to highlight job specific skills that you have acquired and bold font the skills themselves. Often times hiring managers will not go through your resume and may even rely solely on your profile to give them a quick introduction to you and your work experience.

An example of a phrase used in a profile can be found below:

e.g. Project Management skills acquired through work for a NGO heading projects in Africa

Note how the phrase alludes to work experience and a position listed in the resume.

3. Create a Master Copy – When writing your resume it is always helpful to have a working copy that you can use as reference. This document should contain all your experience in a brief manner. Once you have a working or master copy you can use it as a guide and create a customized resume specific to the particular job you are interested in. This way you can emphasize job specific experience as needed.

4. Edit and re-edit – You can never spend too much time proofreading your resume. In fact spelling and grammatical errors are the most common mistakes job seekers make on a resume. These errors can be costly as hiring managers will notice them, even though they may not spend too much time on your resume. Proofreading can be a cumbersome task to perform alone,  so it’s a good idea to have  a friend, relative or peer look over your resume. A new set of eyes is always welcome as they will notice errors you may have missed. This also gives you a chance to see how reader friendly your resume is and how others perceive it.

5. Nothing but the truth – Often times job seekers feel the need to over embellish their experience or qualifications. This can be risky as one can get carried away. The last thing you want to do is list experience, academic credentials or skills that you do not actually possess. Hiring managers and HR personnel will find out eventually and it will not bode well for you. Of course it’s alright to re-word your experience :

e.g. Canvassing donations can be rephrased as “community outreach and fundraising”

Remember to stay true to your skill set. Sometimes you may not actually have the skills for the job so instead of fibbing on your resume try to look for opportunities that do match the skills and experience you have to offer.


Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

10 Tips for Job Seekers

With the recent economic downturn leaving many previously secure jobs in jeopardy, looking for work has now become a familiar pass time in North America.  Job seeking is not a pleasant activity to engage in especially when one may have lost a secure job that was not only financially but emotionally secure as well.  Job hunting is time consuming and often ends in a futile effort as most seekers fail to capitalize on some key aspects of the job market and what exactly hiring managers are looking for.  In an effort to remedy this here’s our take on ten useful tips job seekers can  put in to use in order to make their search more effective and generate the results they are aiming for.

1.Have a general resume on hand

 A general resume should consist of all your work experience over the last 10 years or so, assuming you did not switch jobs frequently.  Most general resumes are a balanced mix of education and work experience. The structure of the resume however is not job specific  as you have not customized it to suit any particular job description. It’s important to have a resume that highlights your strengths as an employee. A profile which is essentially a summary highlighting the most important aspects of your resume should also be included in your resume. Ideally a general resume should be approximately two pages long.

2. Have a reference bank

Some hiring managers will ask for references if you are successful  at an interview. These references will then have to attest to your skills and abilities as an employee. Therefore it’s crucial to have a wide variety of people that can attest to your varied skills and experiences.  General references won’t cut it, you have to have references that can account for your suitability to the specific job to which you’ve applied. Thus it’s always better to have a handful of individuals that you can ask to recommend you as opposed to just two or three. Make sure you seek out job specific references.

3. Be wary of online job postings

Although many workplaces and even placement agencies now post vacancies online applying online can be a tedious and rather discouraging process. Many times job seekers get discouraged applying to online jobs as the vast majority does not receive a response let alone a favorable one. This is because many times companies post jobs online in order to demonstrate that the information regarding the vacancy was available to the public, they’re simply going through the motions. Often times they’ve already selected a candidate for the position before it’s even posted, and this candidate may be an existing employee chosen through internal postings or a contact of someone working in the firm.  Employers also inhibit job seeker success by using gate keeping software such as Taleo which automatically eliminates candidates that do not have specific key words (chosen by the employer) on their resume. They may be the ideal candidate for the job but never get through thanks to Taleo’s selective and tedious application process.

 4. Don’t discount networking

Networking is a valuable tool job seekers can use to render their search more effective. More than 65% of jobs are found through networking and some positions are not even posted externally. This is where networking and access to private information comes in to play. When you have  a contact on the inside of an organization you will have access to valuable information such as upcoming vacancies and possible internal postings.  As stated in point # 3 most online postings are filled before they are even posted for 24hours. Building an effective network is one of the most helpful things when you’re looking for work. As a job seeker you should aim to attend local networking events and look to expand your network ( Further Reading : Building an Effective Network for more networking tips).

5.  Professional Voicemail

Employers may opt to call you on the phone with news about an interview rather than emailing you, thus having a running voicemail system on your cell phone and home phone is essential. If your home phone has an answering machine message that is more casual opt to give out only your cell phone as a means of contacting you. Make sure you record a professional voicemail message stating your name and asking callers to leave their name, number and informing them that you will follow up on any missed calls. When giving out your cell phone you should also be wary of any ring backs, or ring in tones. Although they may be amusing to your friends, hiring managers will not look favorably upon a candidate that has their favorite song whatever genre it may be as a ring in tone as opposed to the traditional ring.

6. Professional email address

Email is another means of employers to contact you. When applying to online postings or through a company website you will need an email address to use when corresponding with employers. When job hunting a clear conservative email address is key. Your email address should consist of yourname@gmail.com. We recommend using Gmail over Hotmail as it has a more professional sound to it. If your name is already used in an email address we suggest using variations such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com . Avoid using numbers and characters as this is unprofessional. You could even opt for a shorter form of your name such as Rob instead of Robert if your name is already taken.

7. Make use of agencies

Although job agencies are a dime a dozen and promise unrealistic job placements they may have some interesting tips and advice to offer. As a job seeker you should not rely solely on agencies to find work, but you can make use of their resources which may include career counseling and tips on resume writing and cover letter drafting. Signing up with a placement agency also gives you more exposure as you can apply to many online jobs, even if they are predetermined, your resume still gets to the hiring manager and he/she may see something they like. It’s also beneficial to sign up with many agencies as opposed to just one as this will increase your visibility in the job market.

8. Create a LinkedIn ProfileLinkedIn is a great professional networking tool. It provides potential employers and current connections with a snapshot of your resume and experience. The tool also allows co-workers or clients to recommend you which aids in building credibility and marketing your personal brand. Creating a profile and adding professional contacts to LinkedIn vs. Facebook is a great idea as you cannot post personal photos etc on LinkedIn. Always separate your professional and personal life and aim to keep professional profile with your co-workers/boss etc. Some companies even recruit using LinkedIn so it’s a good idea to keep an updated profile and add a picture as well so recruiters can associate a face to your name. This also makes you more marketable to potential employers.

9. Are you available?
Availability is one of the key aspects of how employable/ marketable a candidate is. Even top employment agencies will look for candidates that are available immediately vs. ones that are currently employed and looking for a change of career etc. In order to secure a job you are interviewing for you need to be available to start within the employers’ desired time frame. Do not make the mistake of interviewing for jobs for which you are not immediately available. This may sound harsh but in the professional world time is money and employers very seldom hold positions just for one candidate that they may seem to like. Often times there are many candidates that are equally qualified with similar experience and availability just might be the determining factor.

10. Follow up
In the age of online job postings some may feel that following up on an application is a thing of the past. On the contrary, following up can bring a hiring manager’s attention back to your resume. Follow ups should be done via phone or email about 48 hours after submitting your resume. If the job has a closing date it might be best to follow up the day after the posting closes. In any case it’s good to be persistent but not desperate calling twice and leaving a message is deemed acceptable, however messaging, emailing, and calling every day is not. Just use your common sense. If the ad specifically says no phone calls, there’s a good chance the employer already has someone in mind for the job and is placing the ad just to be “transparent and fair”.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

The Asian Corporate Training Market - Leveraging Brain Power

Corporate Training is a market grossing over $280 billion worldwide. The majority of this expenditure however comes from North America where companies and government organizations spent over $130 billion on training services last year. This is rather strange given the fact that the bulk of the world's population is not in North America but in Asia, which only represents 17% of the global market including India; a pale comparison with North America's 45%!

So why is it that the Western world spends more on learning and development than it's larger more populous counterparts? The answer may lie in the simple saying "you get what you pay for". 

In North America companies that offer training and services in executive education must abide by certain codes and guidelines, which include employing staff that are adequately trained and qualified. In order to offer services in corporate training professionals in North America usually have a background in Business (i.e. B.Comm or BBA) coupled with a professional qualification in training such as a CTP (Certified Training Professional), if they do not possess a level of education that is equivalent to or higher than a Masters degree. Some even have such qualifications on top of their MBA or PhD degrees.

Garnering the appropriate qualifications comes at a price and by the time training professionals are through with their education they are well aware of their market value. Thus employing adequately qualified individuals doesn't come cheap! However there are endless benefits to employing a professional in the field of training; for instance he/she will be able to provide invaluable feedback and insight in to how training programs should be structured and administered. 

With "Train the Trainer" courses and workshops becoming popular in Asia many individuals are jumping on the corporate training bandwagon. The majority of these individuals seem to originate from the airline industry and are in most cases former flight attendants. These types of "trainers" are becoming increasingly prevalent in South Asia. Granted elite airlines do offer their employees a  training in food and wine along with customer service and etiquette, working aboard a jet hardly qualifies as corporate exposure (unless they engage in frequent corporate-centric discussions with business class passengers ). This may seem harsh but it's the ugly truth! 

The South Asian corporate training market is also a victim of another type of "Trainer" the “ I’ve got X amount of years of work experience so I must know what I’m doing” trainer. Often times these individuals do not possess a post secondary education relevant to the corporate training industry but build their business on contacts and influence. The real injustice in hiring these types of individuals is done in fact to the participants of their workshops who have invested time and money but aren’t aware that the advice and training they’re getting is not built upon sound knowledge and relevant experience in the field of training.

The reason for Asia’s expenditure being so marginal in comparison to that of North America is that individuals who are not experts in the field of corporate training often charge professional fees that are much lower than those of sound and proven training professionals. A one day training conference in North America would cost a minimum of approximately $125 whereas a similar conference in Asia could cost as little as $50. Another important factor is the barter system. The Asian culture as a whole fosters bargaining and citizens often look for the best deal, failing to realize that in the knowledge market cheap may not always be the best deal! They want something for nothing but overlook the quality of product they are getting at a cheaper price.

The bottom line is that if Asian countries want to be on par with North America where professionalism and corporate know-how is concerned they need to invest more in their people. The capacity for knowledge and growth in Asia especially in the South Asian subcontinent is endless with eager youth and young graduates seeking to further themselves.  However in order for the Asian and South Asian markets to compete with North America on professionalism they need to employ adequately qualified corporate training professionals than can help them leverage their brain power and reach their full potential. And for the time being (at least until more standardized systems for trainer evaluation and certification are implemented) that may mean hiring outside the continent.

Copyright © 2012 by Professional Edge Consulting

MBA programs that don't require the GMAT: How credible are they?

Most business students or prospective business owners view the MBA as a fast track to their dream job in the business world. This however is not often true as there are many options for obtaining a MBA program in today's modern technology driven world.

Many universities around the globe offer graduate programs in Management but just how many of them are credible? 

Prior to new developments in experience driven programs, the one quantitative measure of a person's ability to succeed in a MBA or Graduate program in Management was the GMAT. Short for the Graduate Management Admission Test, it was created by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) which came in to being in 1953. Currently the GMAT is a computer based test divided into four sections:

1. Quantitative - 37 Questions
2. Verbal  - 41 Questions
3.  Integrated Reasoning - 12 Questions
4. Analytical Writing Assessment - 1 Topic

The test lasts approximately 3.5 hours and provides test-takers with a score between 200 and 800, the lowest and highest respectively.

Although the GMAT is a standardized test it is not for the faint of heart as many prospective MBAs spend months engaged in intense preparation and studying. In fact there is a lot of pressure placed on students to perform well on the GMAT and obtain a minimum score. Business schools have now realized that placing a minimum entrance score may be scaring away prospective students; the world's top 10 business schools don't have a minimum score requirement. However students should be warned that they do exercise a great deal of scrutiny in the selection process and often times the average GMAT score of a MBA class at many of these schools is above 700.

Some business schools however capitalized on the disappointment of unsuccessful applicants that vied for spots at top business schools by offering  MBA's without GMATs ; programs that bypass the GMAT requirement. These schools look to replace the GMAT by increasing their GPA requirement or demanding more years of work experience. But how credible and valuable is a MBA program that does not test the aptitude of its candidates in Management itself?  Those who simply wish to obtain a MBA irrespective of where or how they receive it may be complacent with this type of arrangement, but in most cases MBA candidates are in the program to further themselves and open doors to better job opportunities. 

The hard facts are that since the world's best schools require a GMAT for entry in to a MBA program, those that don't are most likely not recognized globally or don't hold much water in the business world. The bottom line is you need to prove yourself to get in to a MBA and without a GMAT or even a GRE (Graduate Records Examination for US students) there isn't much to prove. Although online or sans GMAT MBA programs may seem quick and easy, in most cases they are just too good to be true or credible.

Completing a MBA takes time and dedication and there are no real shortcuts. Education is not something that you can cut corners in and this rings true for many who have obtained MBAs from unrecognized institutions and are struggling to get a foothold in the corporate world. Ultimately the lack of knowledge and credibility will show through, so if you are considering a MBA go for the credible choice. Examine Business School choices closely, avoid online programs, and start with ones that do look in to standardized testing and require a GMAT. Otherwise you risk wasting up to 3 years on a qualification that lacks credibility and recognition.

Copyright © 2012 by Professional Edge Consulting