Personal Branding & The Job Market

Who Am I?

Oh hey! It’s Koury Wilson! Undergraduate

VCU ‘11 , School of Mass Communications▪ Concentration: Public Relations▪ Minor: Political Science

Graduate Syracuse University G’12, S.I. Newhouse

School of Public Communications(in conjunction with the Whitman School of Management)▪ Major: New Media Management

Let’s Wake Up & Break the Ice! Take 60 seconds to think about THREE

adjectives which describe your “personal brand.” What to consider:▪ Who are you as a professional?▪ What do you bring to the table?▪ What differentiates you from everyone else?

Afterward: Stand up and smile! State your name List your three adjectives (with confidence!)

Developing Your Personal Brand

Why is developing your “brand” important? “If you don't brand yourself first,

someone else will brand you.”

Developing Your Personal Brand

Differentiating Yourself Video

Google yourself. What does it say about you? Search Engine Optimization (SEO)▪ BrandYourself.com

Be aware of how you’re perceived How much initiative have you put in your brand?

What materials have you developed?▪ Example: My Website

PROMOTE! Market yourself Networking, social media, TV and radio opportunities▪ Today Show

Developing Your Personal Brand

Attire & Presentation Who would rather you represent your

company?

The Job Market

Source: The Atlantic.com

The Job Market

BUT…Don’t Be Discouraged!

13579

11

Unemployment Rate 2010-2012New Grad vs. National Average

Source: Gallup Poll

The Job Market

Excerpt : “Job Prospects For New Grads Best Since Recession.” ABCNews.com

“In a just-released study of 225 employers, Boston research company Millennial Branding finds 87 percent of employers say they will hire more new grads this year than last. Almost as many say that in the past six months they have already hired up to 25 new grads each.”

“Dan Schawbel, Millennial's founder, says that while the job picture is brightening, it's not yet back to where it was before the recession.

Young job seekers, he says, still need to be realistic about their prospects. "The message of our survey is that you can't rely on anything anymore. Getting a degree doesn't mean you'll get a job. Getting an internship doesn't mean you'll get a job."

The most successful candidates, he says, are those who, as undergrads, pulled out all the stops: "You've got to get as many internships as you possibly can. Use social networks. Use your family and your friends."

Thoughts? Questions?

The Job Market

Dilemma for new graduates: Less new hires due to the economy▪ Understand the cycle

Fall between overqualified & underqualified▪ Entry-level positions are available though

scarce & competitive▪ Understand the scope of competition

Companies want employees with more skills▪ Understand traditional as well as “emerging”

media

Yay! Last Slide!: Summing Up Be persistent Develop relationships Get involved!

Internships, volunteer, class projects, etc. Stay curious & informed. Keep learning!

Understand the changing landscape of communications▪ Larry Kramer Discussing Storytelling in Communications▪ Book (Amazon)

Differentiate yourself Why does this company need you? What do you have

to offer that’s distinct? Take advantage of your resources!

Professors, guest speakers, career center, online resources, etc.

Connect with Me!

E-mail: knwilson@syr.edu Twitter: @KWilsonPR LinkedIn: “Koury Wilson” Website: www.KouryWilson.com