1. Personal Branding

2. The 21st Job Marketplace
Employers expect job-seekers to know and understand them.
Hiring decision about you are NOT based on your resume.
Job opportunities are being created on the spot.
You must understand and embrace the new dynamics.
And the jobs marketplace of the 21st century has evolved. Today, job searching involves constant networking, contact banks, automated interviews, professional introductions, interactive dialogs, on-the-spot employment creation and savvy negotiations.
Employers expect you to know and understand corporate goals. They want you to demonstrate how you can contribute and they’re definitely not going to make a hiring decision about you based on your resume.
Most importantly, if you want a superior position with more money if you want to select your next position rather than settle for it you must understand and embrace the new dynamics.

3. So…today…we are going to talk how to apply the basic principles of marketing and sales to differentiate yourself and stand out and above everyone else when seeking a new career.

4. Basic Principles of Marketing and Sales
The 9 P’s
Product
Promotion
Price
Place
Packaging
Prospecting
Persuading
Problem Solving
Presenting
Anyone familiar or heard of the 9 P’s of marketing and sales? Product, promotion, price, place and packaging relate to marketing and prospecting, persuading, problem solving and presenting relate to sales. In the new dynamic of the job marketplace, it is critical that you understand the strategies and tactics within each of these principles.

5. Product
In the context of a job search, that product is You! Successful job search is all about differentiation. When you clearly stand apart and above others competing for the same jobs, you generate interest and are much more likely to land interviews. And to help you stand out, you need to focus on your personal brand!

6. What is a Personal Brand?
It is the combination of personal attributes, values, drivers, strengths, and passions you draw from that differentiates your unique promise of value from your peers, and helps those assessing you determine if they should hire you or do business with you.
The term "personal branding" may be a new concept to you, but the reality of personal branding is not new. It’s always been with us. Before there was a name for it, people were assessing other people’s reputation and promise of value before deciding whether to partner, hire, or do business with them.
A personal brand is the story other people tell about you. And you have a brand whether you know it or not. How do people describe you when they can’t remember your name? That’s your brand, right there.

7. Creating Your Personal Brand
Authentic personal branding takes work. Personal brand design is the process you use to take control of the story people tell about you. The development process requires pinpointing the personal attributes, values, drivers, strengths, and passions that differentiate your unique promise of value from your peers, in content and messaging designed to resonate with your target audience (or target employers). As the executive producer of your career, you choose the set of skills, projects, and network that will give your story the best chance of spreading. Instead of letting the economy or your boss determine the direction of your career, personal brand design gives you the freedom to create your next big break. It’s up to you to identify those qualities and characteristics within you, bring all the pieces together, and communicate a crystal clear, consistent message across multiple channels – online and offline – that differentiates your unique promise of value and resonates with your target audience.

8. So…what is your brand. What story do people tell about you
So…what is your brand? What story do people tell about you? What story do you WANT them to tell?

9. Personal Branding Worksheet
What are your vision and purpose?
What are your values?
What are your passions?
What are your top goals for the next year, 2 years, and 5 years?
What are your top brand attributes?
What are your core strengths or motivated skills?
Do a SWOT analysis (Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats).
Who is your target audience?
Who is your competition in the marketplace and what differentiates you from them?
Get feedback from those who know you best – at work, at home, anywhere
1. What are your vision and purpose?
Look externally at the bigger picture of your vision for the world, and then internally at how you might help the world realize your vision.
Think about one world problem you would like to see solved or one area of life that you want to see transformed or improved. This is your vision.
What role might you play in making your vision happen? This is your purpose.
2. What are your values?
Your values are your guiding principles – things like:
Balance, being the best, agility, calmness, challenge, decisiveness, perseverance, drive, honesty, integrity, pragmatism, sensitivity, structure, teamwork, sharing, vitality, zeal.
3. What are your passions?
What do you most enjoy doing – in your personal life and work life? Think about the activities, interests, or conversational topics that fascinate and energize you. Your passions make you get out of bed at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning or get you talking enthusiastically with others. How do your passions converge with what you are best at doing?
4. What are your top goals for the next year, 2 years, and 5 years?
Work on projecting what you intend to accomplish so you can put together a strategic action plan to get there.
5. What are your top brand attributes.
What 3 or 4 adjectives best describe the value you offer? What words do you use to define your personality? Once you pinpoint what you feel are the right kinds of words, it’s a good idea to consult a thesaurus to precisely nail the exact words. Here are some possibilities, but don’t limit yourself to these:
Collaborative, resilient, forward-focused, risk-taking, connected, international, visionary, diplomatic, intuitive, precise, enterprising, ethical, genuine, accessible.
6. What are your core strengths or motivated skills?
In what functions and responsibilities do you excel? For what things are you the designated “go-to” person? What gap would your company be faced with if you left suddenly? The possibilities are endless, but here are a few suggestions:
Analyzing, collaborating, leading, delegating, empowering others, forecasting, crunching numbers, anticipating risk, mentoring, visioning, selling, innovating, managing conflict, defining needs, writing, listening, communicating.
7. Get feedback from those who know you best – at work, at home, anywhere.
The true measure of your brand is the reputation others hold of you in their hearts and minds. Notice how they introduce you to others. Ask them what your top brand attributes and core strengths are. How does your self-assessment jibe with their feedback?
The 360° Reach Personal Brand Assessment ( a confidential, web-based tool that collects anonymous 360-degree feedback in real time from your choice of respondents, is a good option to accomplish this step and the basic account is free.
8. Do a SWOT analysis (Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats).
Strengths and weaknesses are internal, and speak to your potential value to an employer. Opportunities and threats are external, and help you foresee what you’re facing in next career steps.
SWOT is an invaluable personal branding exercise that also helps prepare you for interviewing and future career growth and stability.
9. Who is your target audience?
Determine where you want to fit in (kind of job position and industry). Learn what decision makers in that field are looking for when they’re assessing candidates. Create your personal brand messaging around what keywords and content will attract them. Find out where those decision makers hang out, position yourself in front of them, and capture their attention.
10. Who is your competition in the marketplace and what differentiates you from them?
What do the people competing for the same jobs as you typically have to offer? What is it about you that makes you the best hiring choice? What added value do you bring to the table that no one else does?
Bottom Line:
The work involved in uncovering and defining your personal brand may seem daunting, but your efforts will benefit you immeasurably. In job search, defining and communicating your personal brand can help pre-qualify you as a good fit and strategically position you to land your next great gig faster.

10. Personal Brand Values Exercise
Identify three brands that you like. Write them down
Why do you like them? Write down your specific reasons for liking each one.
Now look for common themes across all three brands.
Now that you know some of your personal brand values, use them as the basis of messages that you could use to advance your career or to grow your business.
You may have chosen all three because they represent “quality” or “reliability.” The traits that come up repeatedly are likely a match to your own personal brand values. Take some time to discuss the brand values you uncovered with your colleagues, friends, even your spouse. Also, check out the brand of the company you work for, the brands of the stores you like to shop at and the brands of the causes you support. There will be far more common values between you and the people and product brands you really love, and less between you and the brands that you don’t like as much

11. Personal Brand Statement Exercise
Your statement is not a mission statement or job title, but rather your “catchphrase” if you will about your specific expertise.  If you don’t have much experience at something, then it can be about an area that you want to become an expert in so long as you don’t exaggerate.  Limit yourself to only one sentence for your personal branding statement.  Personal Brand Statement: What you want to be in a single sentence that answers two questions: what are you the best at and who do you serve (audience) It is a statement of positioning and targeting. I am a results-oriented marketing & sales executive focused on helping technology companies drive demand for their products and services.
1. what are the three things you want someone to remember about you?
2. What are your top 3 or 4 personal attributes – the things that define how you make things happen?
Think about how those around you (at work and elsewhere) describe you. Ask them for feedback about these things. To give you an idea, here are some possible attributes, but don't limit yourself to these:
Collaborative, resourceful, flexible, forward-thinking, risk-taking, connected, visionary, diplomatic, intuitive, precise, enterprising, ethical, genuine, accessible.
3. What are your 3 or 4 greatest strengths or top motivated skills (things you love doing) that have benefitted your companies/employers?
Again, think about what those around you say about you. How do they introduce you to others? Here are some possible areas of strength:
Identifying problems, seeing the details, leading, delegating, performing analysis, fact finding, crunching numbers, anticipating risk, motivating, mentoring, innovating, managing conflict, writing, listening, communicating.
4. What differentiates you from your competition for your next job? What do you have to offer that no one else does?
Your personal brand statement should become part of your online and offline career marketing communications – at the top of your resume or career bio and in your online profiles. And don’t forget to brand-charge your signature by including an abbreviated version as a tagline.

12. Why Personal Branding Matters
Helps you understand your value and differentiators
Helps you clearly communicate your value when you network and interview
Helps you stand out from your competition in your promotional materials
Your brand incorporates your “softer” side and generates chemistry for who you are, what you’re like to work with, how you make things happen, and what you have to offer that no one else does.
Simply put, branding in job search is a way to uncover, define, and communicate your unique ROI (Return on Investment) value to your target employers, based on their needs. The personal branding concept suggests instead that success comes from self-packaging, or professional image.
Helps you understand your ROI value to your target companies and what differentiates you from your competition in the job market
Helps you clearly communicate that ROI value and good fit qualities when you network and interview
Helps you stand out from your competition in your career marketing materials (resume, biography, online profiles, blogging, etc.).
Your brand incorporates your “softer” side and generates chemistry for who you are, what you’re like to work with, how you make things happen, and what you have to offer that no one else does.

13. Promotion Cover letters Resumes Phone calling Interviewing
Personal Website
Online identity s
In Person
In some ways, the strength of your promotion tools may be the most vital piece of your career marketing mix. Promotion -- as it relates to job-searching -- includes cover letters, resumes, phone calling, and interviewing. Promotion tools include anything that you can use to get a job interview and ultimately get a job offer. How much time have you spent polishing these promotion tools? Do you have a solid resume? A dynamic cover letter? How are your interviewing skills? Do you have what it takes to sell yourself to the employer?
For a job search this is your resume, CV, your personal website, your online identity, cover letters, s, business card, LinkedIn profile, interview presentation materials, and everything else associated with your personal brand.  When speaking to job seekers, I often ask the question: Do successful salespeople enter a sales call with no marketing literature or presentation materials?

14. Place
Create demand for your services through wide networking - online and in person. 
Job seekers must choose the right distribution channel to get their message out.  Some choose old fashioned push marketing methods such as paying to have third parties fax or blast their resumes. Others focus on more modern pull marketing techniques like optimizing LinkedIn, a personal website or blogging. Just as distribution is often the underutilized gem of a company's marketing strategy, so too is distribution often overlooked in the job search. Your distribution channel -- just as in marketing -- consists of a "set of individuals" who will help you distribute your product (you) to the consumer (the employer). In career counseling terms, your distribution channel includes all the methods you are using to disseminate your promotional tools in your quest for a new job.
Distribution channels include:
Job Postings/Recruitment Advertising Cold Calling Networking Job-hunting on the Web University Career Centers/Alumni Offices Headhunters/Recruiters/Executive Search Firms/Employment Agencies
Which is the most important distribution channel? Most career experts agree that networking is crucial to a successful job search. Networking means developing a broad list of contacts -- people you've met through various social and business functions -- and using them to your advantage when you look for a job.
People and places where you can network: current and former coworkers, colleagues, professional meetings, placement offices, alumni, recruiters, and almost any gathering of people. (We know of someone who received a job interview through networking at a wedding reception.) How strong is your network? How can you make it stronger?
LinkedIn is by far the #1 spot for job seekers, those currently employed, marketers who are looking to build lists and salespeople who are seeking out new clients. With 35 million users, including recruiters and job seekers, LinkedIn is quite a hot spot. Of course, due to the current state of the economy, it’s simple to understand why LinkedIn is more popular than ever. The problem is that most job seekers don’t optimize their profile, cultivate their network, join and participate in groups, use applications and exchange endorsements. That is basically everything you should be doing in a nutshell. When you search for a job, recognize who in your network might help you get to the hiring manager. You’re given 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree connections on LinkedIn that you should be using to secure a job opening.
Jobster isn't’t spoken about nearly enough, yet it is a powerful platform for networking with employers who are offering jobs, while you’re searching. You can upload your resume, embed your video resume, showcase links to your site, your picture and tag your skills, which is a unique differentiator. You can search for open positions and see who the person is who posted the job. Then you can add them to your network and connect with them to find out more about the position.
Craigslist is an extremely valuable job search tool if you’re not looking to work for a big brand name company, such as P&G or GE. Most of the positions on Craigslist are for consultants (design/programming help) and at small to midsize companies that are hiring. There are new listings every day and if you wake up to this site every morning and refresh the page, you have a good chance at getting a job sooner rather than later.
VisualCV understands the importance of personal branding in a job search. Instead of a traditional resume, you get your own branded webpage, where you can add video, audio, images, graphs, charts, work samples, presentations and references. VisualCVs not only let you stand out from the crowd, but communicate your value in a way that’s not possible with static text. After you’ve created your VisualCV, you can display it publicly or privately, it to a recruiter, save it as a PDF or forward the URL, which will rank high for your name. On the site, you can search for jobs and apply directly using your VisualCV.
JobFox, like online dating, tries to pair you up with a job that best fits you. Their differentiator is their “Mutual Suitability SystemTM” that enables them to match your wants and needs to those of employers to find the best relationship. The system learns about your skills, experiences, and goals and then presents you with jobs.
Then there’s the “Jobfox Intro,” where both the applicant and company get s to encourage the connection. Just like VisualCV, you get your own branded website, with a personal web address to send to employers. JobFox was created by Rob McGovern, the founder of Careerbuilder.com.

15. Stop merely looking for a job and start actively prospecting for one.
Today, many job seekers are focused on prospecting on job boards. I believe a better job search approach is to target a list of best-fit companies, based on industry and geography. Then utilize databases to identify the management teams of these companies, cross referencing key managers with your personal connections.  Social networks like LinkedIn can really accelerate this process. Never leave a meeting without a new name to contact or an action item for next steps.  Doing so is like taking your foot off the gas pedal of a car. Your networking will slow down and targeted networking is the lifeblood of accelerated job search.

16. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Packaging
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Packaging equates to your professional image. How you look, how you represent yourself, your mannerism, how you talk, your body language. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Making a positive first impression during an interview is crucial! Employers already have a perception of you based on your resume, your online profiles, your cover letters, etc…. If you wish to be treated as a professional you must create a professional image and you must package yourself for success.

17. So, the question I ask you now is if you were to meet yourself today, what would be your first impression? People form opinions, make judgments, and make assumptions within ten seconds of seeing another person for the first time. How do people perceive you when they see you for the first time?
When you meet someone, do you smile with confidence, deliver a firm handshake, make direct eye contact? Do you dress appropriately when out in public – regardless if you are out having lunch, at work or going to the store? What would people think?

18. How Do We Form First Impressions?
Studies show there are three areas of communication that comprise how we form first impressions of people. Nonverbal communication, how you speak and verbal communication. Body language and nonverbal cues represent a substantial portion of our communication with other. Some studies even suggest more than 65%--85% of conveyed messages are with body language and nonverbal cues. Your image is as important if not more so than the content of your verbal message.

19. Every day, we respond to thousands on nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expression, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice, appearance. From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal who we are and impact how we relate to other people.
You need to be aware of the non-verbal signals you send out as it will make it easier to communicate with other people. Our body language gives others an impression of ourselves or show our emotions. your body language will also give out a lot more information.
Based on your body language it can be seen if you come across as insecure or self-assured. It can also show if you are a busy or a quiet type and it helps give an impression of whether you are speaking truthfully or not.
Body language can show if you not prone to stress. It can show how enthusiastic you are and if you are a nice person, someone who will take his work serious, but also someone who has a sense of humor and can enjoy a joke from time to time. What do your nonverbal cues say about you?

20. The first non-verbal cue that will form the basis of a first impression by an employer is your appearance and clothes.

21. What Does Their Clothing Say About Them?
Your clothes say far more than you think. Generalizations and stereotyping will form in the minds of employers solely based on your appearance. So let’s do a little exercise. Take out a piece of paper. I am going to show you several images of people dressed in different attire for 10 seconds each. After you see each image, I want you to write down a few words about that person. If you were to see them on the street, what would you think about them – their attitude and would you hire them.
Okay, let’s see what we had to say about each of these images.
The Goth Dresser: Lots of black, fishnet stockings and maybe a studded collar are often features of goth dressers. While this look may tell some people that you're expressing your personality, many may see you as depressed, angry, insecure (needing to "disguise" yourself) and unapproachable.
The Casual Dresser: This is the guy or gal who never puts on anything but jeans and a t-shirt. Fine for a weekend at home, but over time this look can make you appear one-sided or lacking a creative flair or dimension.
The Athletic Dresser: Athletic dressers wear sweats, running shoes and other workout gear 24/7, whether they're heading to the gym or not. While this may show others that you're athletic and care about your body, be careful. Athletic dressers can easily be mistaken for sloppy dressers, particularly when sweats are involved.
The Flashy Dresser: Perhaps it's a fun pair of shoes, a snappy tie or a bright blue handbag. It could be just about any fashion piece, but you've always got to have something to show your wild side. Flashy dressers often show others that they're looking to be set apart from the crowd and have a desire to show their personality and get noticed.
The Sloppy Dresser: If your clothes are wrinkled, stained, or mismatched, others typically take this to mean that in a figurative sense you are too. Sloppy clothing sends the message that you don't really care … about your appearance, your job, your future or otherwise.
The Skimpy Dresser: Skimpy dressers always opt for the shortest, tightest, most revealing clothing they can find whether they're going to work, an office party or the beach with their kids. Wearing overly revealing clothing often exudes insecurity, and an attempt to gather attention based solely on your body (perhaps suggesting that's all there is to offer). Many say occasionally wearing that skimpy outfit is fun, flirty, and quite acceptable, but wearing them all the time is likely another matter.
The Designer Dresser: Every item on your body is brand name, and you're sure to let others know it. People may take this to mean you're successful, choosy and "put together," but they may think you're overly materialistic or a bit insecure (and desperately trying to fit in via your clothing).
The Business Casual Dresser: Business casual, when done correctly (i.e. casual loafers, not flip flops), can be a sign of a confident, well-meaning individual.
The Drab Dresser: Do you always dress in neutrals and plain slacks and shirts, and never dare stray from this uniform? A drab dresser can be an indication that you're trying to blend in with the crowd and don't want a lot of extra attention.

22. Professional Appearance Counts
DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT, NOT THE JOB YOU HAVE CURRENTLY
As we demonstrated, professional appearance counts! You should dress for the job you want, not the job your currently have. If you don’t have a job, dress for success! Your goal should be to project a professional, competent image, regardless of your employment level or career path. Clothing should ALWAYS be professional and businesslike.
Before you choose your outfit for the day, think about how you want other people to see you and interpret your personality.
Styles, colors, lengths and fit of your fashion choices will speak volumes about you.

23. Business Attire Guidelines
Formal
Men: suits, ties, leather shoes, collared shirts, French cuffs, subdued belts, groomed facial hair,
Women; pantsuits, skirts and jackets, closed-toe shoes, blouses, hose, conservative hair, limited accessories
Casual
Men: khaki pants, slacks, sweaters, polo shirts
Women: dressy pants and a blouse, sleek jersey knits and skirts
When interviewing for a job, formal business attire guidelines should be followed. For men, this means suits with a tie, polished shoes, collared shirts. For women, it’s a pantsuit or skirt and jacket with hose and closed-toe shoes with a medium heel. Choose structured styles that project an organized image and make sure the clothes fit properly. Pants should be fitted and hemmed, skirts should be loose enough to sit comfortably, jackets should be able to be buttoned and blouses should’t gap between buttonholes.
Most of what constitutes a polished image is in the details: manicured nails, run-free hose, scuff-free shoes, neat hair, appropriate makeup (not to heavy), trimmed beards. Also, don’t pile on the perfume or cologne.
Appropriate dress on the job is just as important as the interview appearance. If you don't know where to start working on your career image or what would be appropriate, you are not alone. There's no one set of rules for every occasion. Sometimes, you can be guided by your organization's dress code. Some companies have written dress codes that are very rigid and specific. Other dress codes may be unwritten, vague, and/or flexible. In the end, you need to match your appearance to multiple aspects of your daily work, including your company's culture, but also that of an event or a client and to your role on any given day. If you work in IT, and occasionally need to crawl under desks, you probably shouldn't be wearing a fancy suit (or short skirt for that matter). One of the best clues to company dress codes is what your boss wears. Just think about the styles that the highest-level woman or man in your organization wears and use them in your wardrobe.

24. Color plays a big part in professional image and can give you an edge when you choose your business attire. Whether we are conscious of it or not, the colors we choose for our business attire sends a strong message and can invoke different moods.
Think about how we perceive colors. We associate white with nurses. And we instinctively react to red as STOP, and green as Go. The image you project with a beige suit is very different from the way you look in a navy suit. The darker the color, the more powerful the look.
Traditional career colors include red (aggressive), navy (trustworthy), gray (conservative) and black (chic). Most of these colors work well in pantsuits, skirts and shoes and mix back with softer feminine colors that are appropriate like ice blue, lilac, soft pink and ivory. Loud colors like hot pink and wild prints are much riskier in the office, but some creative types can still pull them off.
o Red is a powerful color that draws attention to you. It works well if you are giving a speech but not as well if you want to be seen as a team player.
Studies show that navy blue is the best color for a suit to wear to a job interview, because it inspires confidence (the color of the sky, or true blue.) and projects a classic image. Have you noticed how many companies use blue in their logo and corporate colors? You are more likely to get the job when you wear navy blue to an interview than any other color.
Monochromatic colors, such as different shades of gray or beige, look sophisticated and with many shades, from dove grey to charcoal, almost everyone can wear it. Add a bit of color near your face, in a tie, shirt or scarf, to brighten the look.
Bright colors are less informal. You will be taken more seriously in business if you avoid bright colors such as yellow or orange in the workplace. Save these colors for casual situations.
If you are in business you need colors like navy, grey and black as part of your wardrobe. If these colors don't suit you, add lighter or brighter colors near your face with a tie or shirt.

25. What NOT to Wear
Absolute no no’s when interviewing or at the workplace. No soiled, wrinkled, scuffed, or hair-covered attire
No evening wear
No cleavage-bearing shirts
No backless shirts
Skirts no shorter than 4 inches above the knee
No shorts or skorts
No workout / sports clothing / tank tops
No t-shirts / no sweatshirts
No revealing or excessively baggy clothing
No visible under garments
No stomach-bearing shirts
No hats or skullcaps
No casual sandals / no flip flops
Rubber sole shoes okay only in warehouse & stockroom
High heeled shoes should not exceed a 3 inch height (women)
No “strappy” sandals (women)
Excessive amounts of jewelry are unprofessional

26. Facial Expressions and Eye Movement
Facial expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. Did you know that our faces generate over 100 expressions without speaking a single word? Consider how much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. A simple smile can make others feel more at ease where a frown can make people see that you are aggressive or unsure of something. We use facial expressions to get our points across in the right context. While nonverbal communication and behavior can vary dramatically between cultures, the facial expressions for happiness, sadness, anger, and fear are similar throughout the world.
When someone talks to you, do they look directly at you or look away? Maintaining eye contact when talking (or listening) to someone gives an impression that you/they are confident and honest. Making little eye contact can say that the other person doesn't’t like you, is nervous or shy, or perhaps believe that they are higher in status and think that eye contact isn't’t necessary.
Also, look out for it if you believe that someone isn't’t being truthful, as most people can’t keep eye contact when they are bending the truth. However, someone looking at you non-stop is stressful and in these situations you should throw your hands around a bit more or point to brochures and objects to distract them. Staring is basically seen as an aggressive act and can also be interpreted as being unbalanced.
If talking to people outdoors, avoid wearing sunglasses as this can be very uncomfortable for the other person and can give an image of trying to hide your identity (a shifty salesman, for example). In addition, try to blink as less as possible as this can make it difficult for the other person to understand you (due to being distracted). Blinking less also gives an image of confidence.

27. Gestures Hand-to-face movements Nodding Folding arms and crossing legs
Displacement activities
Grooming gestures
Hand movements
Posture
Gestures are another important non-verbal cue that tells employers how you are feeling, how you may perform the job, how you handle stress . Oftentimes, the gestures we make in interview situations are sub-conscious – you don’t realize you do them. So, it’s important to recognize what to look out for, as it can easily give things away about both yourself and the observer.
Hand-to-face movements like holding your chin, touching your nose, rubbing your face can give the perception that you are bored, nervous or arena’t being truthful.
A lot of us move our heads and nod when we are talking . Nodding your head while speaking is a good way of supporting your words or adding meaning to them. But, if you want to look powerful, then you should try to keep your head movements to a minimum.
How much you show your front is a way of showing how confident, secure or trusting you are. In a difficult situation we are often inclined to fold our arms across our body to give us a more secure feeling. During a job interview it is better not to do this, because folding your arms can be interpreted as a defensive move. It is better to let your hands lie loosely on your lap or place them on the armrests of your chair
A more common gesture is perhaps the one that is most annoying is known as ‘displacement activity’ and is used to get rid of physical tension in the body. Examples of this may include nail-biting, playing with hair, chewing gum, and teeth grinding.
Grooming gestures are those things we do to reassure ourselves. This may involve you perfecting your hair or fiddling with your clothes. We normally do this when we are around people we don’t know, and so we groom ourselves to make us look more presentable to lift our confidence.
Our hands are used to emphasize what we say. Just the same as when you are giving a presentation, many people often regard their hands as obstacles during a job interview rather than a useful means of communication. But, hand movements can help to liven up the interview. The fact that you dare to make movements with your hands during an interview might indicate that you feel at ease quickly. In most cases it is better not to make too many hand movements at the start of the interview but add them slowly throughout the interview. As regards this, pay attention to your interview partners as well: if they use their hands a lot to make things clear, you can definitely do this as well. When they don't make many movements, it is better if you don't either. Also pay attention to inadvertent movements that you may make sometimes due to nervousness. For example, shuffling with your feet or kicking against the leg of a table can be very irritating for other people. Drumming with your fingers or clicking with a pen also won't be a great contribution to the interview. So pay attention!
Everyone has a different posture and it usually develops through habit over the years. This may be slumping your shoulders forward or hanging your head: anything that has come to feel natural. How you sit and your posture can help you tell who is an extrovert from an introvert. Looking at a persons feet when they are sitting down -Extrovert – toes pointing out, introvert – toes pointing in. During your job interview try to adopt a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed. You can do this by sitting up straight in your chair at the beginning of the interview, with your back against the back of the chair. If you slouch or hang sideways in your chair, it might give the impression that you are not that interested in the job. However, sitting on the edge of your chair can come across as being a little tense and might give the impression that you feel uncomfortable. It is also important to pay attention to the posture of your interview partners. In some cases you can achieve mutual tuning by adopting the same posture as the other person.

28. Speech, social skills, and etiquette will make or break your professional image; regardless of your attire or appearance.
Good job everyone. Now we are going to talk about speech, social skills and etiquette as these can make or break your professional image, regardless of your attire and appearance. The way a person speaks has an incredible influence on first impressions. Many people have judged someone with great respect at first glance, but once the person starts speaking the entire model of respect comes crashing down. This is because the way an individual speaks says a lot about the person, specifically emphasizing the person’s culture and educational background.

29. Social Protocols and Etiquette
DRINKING & DINING MANNERS
CONVERSATIONAL RULES
USE OF CELL PHONES IN PUBLIC
USE OF NAMES
INTRODUCTIONS
SEATING ORDER
USE OF PROFANITY
SMOKING IN PUBLIC
COUGHING, BURPING, YAWNING, SCRATCHING, ETC. IN PUBLIC
PUNCTUALITY
USE OF TIME
The way people behave is probably one of the strongest and most lasting factors of first impressions. When all other factors have been taken into consideration, the individual’s behavior could possibly be the determining factor in terms of whether or not the person has made a good or bad first impression. If the outcome is negative, this would be the hardest factor to reverse when making subsequent impressions, as an individual’s behavior is often the one thing that is most remembered about him.
Educate yourself on knowing how to act in a given situation. Drinking and dining manners come into play if you are meeting someone over coffee or lunch either to network or interview for a job. Napkin in lap, don’t reach across the table, don’t eat with your hands, don’t talk with your mouth full.
Conversational rules are important too. There are 3 things you should never discuss in a business meeting – anyone know what they are? Politics, sex and religion. These are too polarizing and people can quickly get offended and discussions get too heated.
Turn off your cell phone in an interview and refrain from using your cell phone at the dinner table, in line at the store, in elevators, etc…We’vet all done it…I’vet done it. But, I also notice how I perceive people doing it in public – rude.
When introducing yourself, always state your first and last name. Give a firm handshake, look the person directly in the eyes and greet them.
After the initial introduction you will usually be directed to take a seat. If you are left to choose a place yourself, choose a place from where you can clearly see all the interview participants, and from where they can also see you. If someone is sitting half behind you, and you can't really see him, he may not get such a good impression of you because of this.
Always be on time – prepare to arrive at least minutes prior to the interview. Demonstrates you are excited, your are punctual, respectful of time, etc…

30. Presenting
Go to interviews prepared with good questions, examples of your work, and be polished and alert.
Successful interviewing requires a well thought out plan, research on the hiring manager and the company.  Come prepared with good questions, examples of your work, and be polished and alert.  This is not the time for your mind to drift. This is the opportunity to look someone in the eyes with confidence.

31. Persuading
Ask questions that will uncover the hiring manager’s requirements, needs, issues, and pains.
The art of persuasion is effectively the ability to overcome objections.  The best way to persuade is to ask questions that will uncover the buyer’s (hiring manager’s) requirements, needs, issues, and pains. Then take information provided and appeal back to the hiring manager with a careful balance of logic and emotion that convinces them that you are the best person to achieve their desired outcomes.
HP Example – budget question

32. People are hired to solve business problems.
Problem Solving
People are hired to solve business problems.
The best way to get hired is not to show people your resume, but rather to communicate how you can solve their business problems.  People are hired to solve business problems. Interviewers need to be convinced that you will be able to fix their problems and help their company achieve its goals. One of the best ways to answer interview questions is to use your career success stories. Career success stories are tales of the defining moments in your career when you overcame significant challenges to succeed. These stories create a memorable impression and give the listener anecdotes about you that identify your ability to handle the tasks at hand, solve complex problems and provide a solution.
For each appropriate interview question, relate it to a similar situation earlier in your career, talk briefly about how you handled it, and highlight the results. These stories demonstrate to the interviewer that you have specific experience in dealing with similar situations.

33. Price
Understand the potential hiring company’s compensation philosophies and structures prior to discussing your compensation expectations.
The compensation question will inevitably be asked.  In the current economy, this can be a “trap” question and should be handled very delicately.  There are undeniable facts regarding a candidate’s historical pay grades, salaries, bonus plans, benefits, and perks.  However, the more important aspect of price is a job seeker’s compensation expectations.  We strongly recommend job seekers understand the potential hiring company’s compensation philosophies and structures prior to answering the price question.

34. The Final P of Marketing:
PASSION
Although not included in the traditional sales and marketing courses, I think one more P deserves mention. That’s Passion.  Passion is contagious. If you can inject passion into your networking and interviews, it will definitely accelerate your job search. True passion will make you stand out in the crowded job search market.
ATTITUDE IS THE ONLY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE WHERE YOU HAVE 100% CONTROL.
BE YOURSELF…
BE UNIQUELY YOU.
BE A LEADER…NOT A FOLLOWER.
There is no safety in groups or numbers
BE A VICTOR…NOT A VICTIM.
“I am in control of my life—not a victim of circumstance.”
BE POSITIVE!!!!
BE CONFIDENT!

35. Contact Us: Career Creators Consulting & Coaching
1250 Capital of Texas Hwy South Building 3
Suite 400 Austin, TX  78746
Office Phone: (512)

36. Special Thank You to Beth Bartel Lopez, “Marketing Guru”,
for her contribution and collaboration on this project.
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