Presentation by HR specialist, Erika Penner on resumes, interviews, the job search and networking.

1. Personal Branding
Erika Penner
HR Professional
MBA / Masters in Conflict Resolution

2. Agenda
•What is a personal brand?
•Where do I start?
• How do I showcase my personal brand to potential
employers?
• How do I choose the right internship or career path?
• How do I communicate my personal brand during
the interview?

3. Personal Branding
The goal is to influence others by
emphasizing your personal
strengths and differentiating
yourself from others.
Similar to a corporate brand, your
personal brand is simply “how you
package yourself.”

4. Elements of a Personal Brand
• Personal Image/Personality
• Competencies
• “The Differentiator”
Personality includes self confidence

5. How to Start
Personal Branding
Based on your personal goals: Consider
your strengths and what you want to
project to potential employers
Write a 15 word (or less) description of
yourself
“HR professional with advanced cross-
cultural communication skills and
extensive experience in employee
training and development”
Step One:
Way to start
This could be included on the top of your resume

6. How to Showcase
Your Personal Brand
• Resume / Cover Letter
• Social Media
• Portfolio
• Interview
All three need to send an honest,
consistent message to your
potential employer.

7. Resume Basics
•Be Specific: Edit your resume for each
position you apply for.
•Length: 1 page is desired, 2 pages max!
• Format: Highlight experiences in order
of importance (I recommend: education,
internships, then projects and affiliations
last)
•Errors: Have at least 2 other people edit
your resume before you send it out. Must
be absolutely 100% flawless!
Many people have a generic “objective” tailor it to the company and the position, or just leave it out. (I don’t have one)
Errors- Survey that most managers will reject candidacy if they see more than 1 minor error

8. Resume Strengtheners
•30 seconds looking at a resume
in order to determine fit. Format
matters! (Spacing, fonts)
•Projects that don’t involve some
actual real world experience are
not highly relevant.
•Quantify whenever possible!
•Professional email address and
cell phone message

9. The Cover Letter
• 3 Paragraphs maximum! (Remember the 30 second
rule)
• Highlight your differentiator (with 1-2 examples) of
what you would add to this particular organization.
• Address concerns that they may have when looking
at your resume (gaps, lack of experience)
• Show your personality, but remain professional

10. Social Media Tips
The 4 Steps to Personal
Branding using social media
(Me 2.0, 2009)
www.personalbrandingblog.com
Discover your Personal
Brand
Create your Personal Brand
Communicate your Personal
Brand
Maintain your Personal
Brand

11. Social Media
Pitfalls
•Your online reputation follows
you. Proactively manage it!
•The recruiter will google your
name. Know what comes up and
set a google alert.
•Set your boundaries and stay
true to them.
•Personal websites, Linkedin, and
Visual CV all add to your
personal brand. Maintaining is
the hardest part.
Create boundaries and stick to them!

12. Portfolio
This is part of your personal
brand and is reflective of your
professional growth.
•Your resume and portfolio need
to be consistent
•Start early! The majority of your
time should be spent thinking
about the most effective way to
display yourself.
•Don’t let your portfolio speak for
you; your portfolio highlights
you as a professional, not the
other way around.

13. Picking the Right
Company or
Industry
• Browse company websites!
History, values and mission
statement, current news.
• Read Job Descriptions.
• Have an open mind! Working
for the right company may be
more beneficial that having the
right job.
• Consider re-locating. The right
opportunity may lead you to the
ideal career path.

14. Career Search
•Use at least 5 online resources
•Use your contacts: Acquaintances,
Professors, Classmates, Friends,
Family.
•Companies often have their own
career website.
•If you are interested in working in
bigger cities, contact a recruiter!

15. Interviews Basics
•Always dress in your most
professional business attire
•Know about the company.
Have questions to ask that refer
to your knowledge.
•Make eye contact
•Be prepared with the typical
interview questions. Practice
out loud.

16. Interview tips
Bring references and at least 2
copies of your resume to the
interview
Do not be late or early
Be confident yourself and
enthusiastic about the
opportunity
Send a thank you email to your
interviewers within 48 hours
Trust your instincts!

17. ~ Telephone Interviews ~
•Telephone interviews are like
a first date.
•Be comfortable, prepared and
clear on appointment details
•“Tell me about yourself.”
• Don’t ramble

18. Takeaways
• Take time to evaluate and establish your personal
brand now
• Be Authentic and honest! It’s easy to spot a fake
• Don’t be afraid to adjust your personal brand. Self-
realization is a necessary process
• Maintain your personal brand and never stop
networking.

19. Resources
• http://www.careerealism.com/
• http://personalbrandingblog.com/
• Me 2.0 By Dan Schwabel
• My Info
• penner@uoregon.edu
• penner.erika@gmail.com