10 Personal Branding tips for Job Hunters

With  more graduates than there are job vacancies in Ghana, it’s not far from the truth to say that the job market in the country is saturated. However, day in and day out, older employees retire from their jobs; others resign from their positions to join new companies; a few leave to become entrepreneurs, and a good many employees get fired off their jobs for lousy performances. So that leaves the successful applicant with enough vacancies to choose from.

Yes, if you are the applicant then the choice lies with you. Successful personal brands do not have to comply with what they or others feel is available. It is said that good brands sell themselves, without much advertisement. The same can be true of a person. If you have a good brand, then you do not have to beg for anything you desire in life and that includes a job of their choice. But it all starts with a master plan.

Supply-Demand Gap in Graduate Output

In as much as I am appreciative of the opportunities opening for Ghanaian women,  I am at the same time very much concerned about many of our university graduates who have been without a job for the past five to six years.  Yes, and I am even more worried about the approximate 100,000 graduates that our over 50 universities (and counting) produce yearly; and have no job guarantees. Also, I need not mention how many students graduate from our 10 polytechnics and over 100 registered professional colleges well spread across the country’s regional and district capitals. Indeed we are experiencing a- labour supply and demand crises of unskilled labour that many students and average Ghanaians are not aware of.  Do you also know that Ghana and most of Africa suffers from a shortage of skilled labour? Yes, that’s why you hear so many stories of child labour issues on our continent. There are more unskilled (educated folk) than they are skilled (labourers) people supplying the job market. This is why we have a supply-demand gap in our graduate output-our focus for now.

That is our country’s reality, unfortunately. There are more jobs needed, than are available. Frankly, I didn't know about these statistics at the time I was entering the university. Had I known, I would have looked for a job before doing my first degree. I could easily have made it through school as an evening student or at worst I would have done a BBA weekend program. I could easily have gotten a job as a skilled labourer, working my way up the ladder with every new certificate or degree I got. What’s more I would have had more work experience and would have been even more marketable than I was when I was looking for my first post- graduation job. Hmm. Anyhow, what’s past’s past. I am thankful I have a job that makes use of my skills and professional abilities.  How about you? Can you say the same thing?   

What did you study in school? Why did you study that particular course? Are you employed? If not, then why? I want to in this paragraph, address these questions, since I am possible speaking to fresh grads; stating that in every society, there will always be scapegoats for people’s failures. I want to emphasize that the “employment and unemployment” statistics of Ghana at present are not provided in this entry to give any one an excuse for not been employed, if they can be. Everyone in good health and sound mind above the age of 18 should be engaged in a profitable venture. If you have a college education, then we expect even more from you. Again, I want to emphasize that a degree doesn’t get a job but a successful applicant does.  

Creating Brand Awareness through Quality Events Signage

The first purpose of marketing is to create brand awareness. Creating brand awareness is the process of getting prospective customers to know about your brand, recognize their need for the brand and then differentiate the same from the lot, thus giving you a competitive edge. 

Events, as a marketing tool, have not only been used over the years by performers but they have increasingly become popular across various industries including: IT firms, schools and universities, trade organizations, research firms, recruitment firms and many others. Events are a faster, effective and efficient way of actively communicating to a specifically targeted audience at a given time.

Your events options, for creating brand awareness, include but are not limited to: trade shows, musical concerts, conferences, meetings, parties, VIP entertainment events, red carpet events, recruitment events, fundraising events, holiday parties, weddings, (funerals in Ghana) , festivals, camp meetings,  sports events, award galas, grand openings, and YES church services- something I have done recently and by the way proved to be very effective.  

Signage Options

After you have decided what events to attend and made all the necessary arrangements including negotiations with events mangers/planners, the next thing you want to think about is what signage to display at your stand, booth or space which would draw people’s attention and maybe cause them to there and then pay you a visit and perhaps close a sales deal.

                          A University’s tradeshow display designed by Signarama Footscray

 Some of the most effective branded display materials that companies have used in recent times include digital displays, branded flags, fence banners, pull up and roll up banners, exhibition stands, red carpet backdrops, wall graphics, outdoor light box signs, best seller banner stands, 3D shaped banner stands, poster frames ,hanging displays, telescopic banner stands, EZ tube graphic displays, pop up stretch displays, counter displays, display lights, branded literature racks & holders, monitor kiosks, canopy tents, spinning banners and many  others.

                                                                  Large Ball Display

                                                                    

3D signage great for special events and exhibitions. Victoria University Avatars designed by Signarama Footscray

                                             Back drop customized for this couple’s wedding.

Quality Signage at Chosen event

The signage that you display at an event can either make you or break you.                                         Whereas a quality signage could immediately elevate your brand image; a mediocre sign would make you seem desperate for attention; this could instantly degrade your brand -which is the very last thing that you want.