iSchool Career Services Newsletter 4/8/2013

Career News

The iSchool Mock Interview event filled quickly and now has a waitlist. Thank to all who signed up, and we’ll look forward to doing this again next year if you didn’t get a chance to register this year!

Career Tips

Branding Yourself

Personal branding is an important process in your career development, whether you’re currently seeking a job or internship, or if you already have a position and are moving through your career. Here are some tips that will help you in thinking about your personal brand and how to communicate that to professionals in your chosen field.

Think outside the box. Rather than considering yourself a “librarian” or a “programmer” or a “consultant”, think of yourself as a business and answer the questions: who are your customers? What value can you provide? How do you provide that value? What skills and assets do you have? Thinking in terms of these building blocks will help you redefine your brand in new terms and get clear on what you can offer to nontraditional audiences and organizations you might not have yet thought of. Don’t overlook assets that might be intangible but still might be part of your brand, like your outstanding ability to get along with others or ability to focus on the point in a complicated problem or conversation.

Focus on where you’re going, not what you’ve done in the past. While you may have majored in English or have a previous Masters degree in religion or a previous career as a journalist or accountant, talk about and focus on where you’re going from this point forward. Those previous activities may have contributed to a skill set that you possess now, so talk about what those skills are and how you will use them in the job or career you’re seeking.

Make your brand sticky. When you’ve defined your value to employers or your “customers”, translate that value into a brand that you make consistent across all the ways you represent yourself. Talk about the value you provide on your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your emails, and in your elevator pitch when you meet new people. Make it clear what’s important to you, who you are, and what you offer in all your professional interactions, so that there is no mistaking you for anyone else who might have your similar educational background or job title.

Career Events This week

Mon., April 8 | 3 – 4 pm

Finding Jobs & Internships

Tue., April 9 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm (MGH 420)

ASIST: West Monroe Partners: Customer Experience (CX) And Customer Loyalty

Tue., April 9 | 1:30 – 3:30 pm (MGH 470)

iSchool Drop-In Resume Reviews

Tue., April 9 | 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Resumes, CV’s & Cover Letters

Wed., April 10 | 12 – 3 pm

UW Tacoma Spring Career & Internship Fair -For Profit Companies

Wed., April 10 | 12:30 – 1:30 pm (MGH 310D)