Advice for soon-to-be college students looking to create their personal brands and take them online. Emphasis on LinkedIn and Twitter.

1. Why I’m on LinkedIn and Twitter
and you should be too
Essential keys to the digital job
search

2. Disclaimer
• I’m not an expert. I just read a lot. (And I blog
about how UNC seniors can use Web 2.0 job
search strategies.)
• Goal: share my job-search experience and
research thus far

3. Ask the Audience
• How many of you…
– Are looking for a job?
– Are on LinkedIn?
– On Twitter?
• Why are you on those networks?

4. Why you need to use Web 2.0
• Scary stats
– Fewer jobs + more grads and laid off workers
– More competition
• It’s a Google world
– Just like you Google a company, they Google you

5. Utilizing Web 2.0
• Create a profile and they will come. NOT.
• You need a strategy.

6. Personal Branding
• Managing the way others see you –
perception = truth. You are now a product.
• How do you want to be known?

7. Personal Branding Process
• Discover – this is the hard part
• Create
This is our
• Communicate focus
• Maintain

8. Discovering your brand
• How do you want to be known?
– What’s your passion?
– What are your favorite classes?
– How do your friends describe you?
• Eventually, your brand will become your
“unique value proposition”

9. Brand Attributes
Also add
human!

10. My “brand”
• Not sure what kind of job I want, but I’m best
when I can be strategic, efficient and creative
I’m happiest when I can blend my passions for
strategy, creativity and efficiency to produce
high-quality, budget-friendly results.

11. Creating your brand
• Infuse your brand into everything
– Resume
– Cover letter
– Business card
– Portfolio

12. Take your brand online
• LinkedIn (must have)
• Twitter (strongly recommend)
• Faceboo (optional)
• website/blog (optional)
You can use online to show off your work
and become a thought leader or just have a
web presence

13. LinkedIn
• Facebook + resume
• Recruiters are here, you should be too (plus,
it’s a Google entry)
• Tone = professional, but personal (especially
for PR pros)

14. Optimizing LinkedIn
• Custom url (linked.com/kellygiles)
• Have a picture! No red cups, please.
• Craft a smart, succinct first-person summary
• Use personal connection requests
• Give and ask for recommendations
• Other: groups, networking, promotion,
research (people and companies)

15. Example: My LinkedIn
Picture: head
shot (color is Personal
probably invite: include
better) where/how
you know the
person
Custom URL:
ideally, will
have same
extension for
all accounts
Summary:
some variation
of your brand
statement

16. Advanced Options
• Research, networking and groups – help you
communicate your brand
• Go to LinkedIn!

17. Twitter
• Microblogging (140 characters max)
• Recruiters are here, and so are CEOs and
PR pros
• Lets you communicate your brand
• Tone = friendly, personable and helpful

18. Optimizing Twitter
• Handle & bio
• Website
• Picture
• Background
• Follow people
• Engage with @ and RT and tweet useful info
• Would you say it in an interview?

19. Golden Rule
• Build relationships first. If you wouldn’t ask a
stranger on the street for a favor, don’t think
it’s OK on Twitter or LinkedIn.

20. Resources
• sdfstarheelsintransit.wordpress.com
• Personal personalbrandingblog.com
• Follow PR pros, personal branding and social
media experts on Twitter
PR Pros/Advice Branding/Careers Social Media
@heatherhuhman @danschawbel @mashable
@PRSarahEvans @sweetcareers @emd5005
@dmullen @dailycareertips @Twitter_Tips

21. Questions?