Comments on: Hiring Someone With A Strong Personal Brand

By: TaylorM

TaylorM — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:15:29 +0000

As with anything in life, I don’t think the question is so simple as to merit simply a yes or no. It depends on the company and what they are looking for. It depends on the person and what their “personal brand” represents, and how that fits in with company identity. I can certainly see how a lot of large corporations – and even some places that I have sought employment with – were clearly looking for someone with NO personal brand at all. They advertised this through veiled language, i.e. We’re looking for a “team player” (there is no “I” in team). Of course, one diva can set the whole choir off. But on the other hand, it sometimes sounds to me as if they are looking for someone with no personality – a ball of clay they can mold into the shape they like. On the other hand, a candidate with a strong personality and a strong individual MO can be a real asset to a group, and just because they have their own style does not mean that they CAN’T be a team player.

There may be no I in team, but a team made up of strong individuals is ultimately a more powerful group. I think as long as the boundaries are clear – “this is where you end and the company begins” – there is not necessarily a risk of hiring a person with a strong “personal brand.” And heck, if that person brings in their cadre of Facebook and Twitter followers, couldn’t that be good for business?

By: Rodelio Lagahit

Rodelio Lagahit — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:54:53 +0000

if these guys asks me to check their profiles like; I’m a social media evangelist, have done this and that etc. why not? I might as well ask Google to track down if he’s really walking the talk – what he wanted to change as what his/her image (brand) told me using his blogs.

By: MN Headhunter | Paul DeBettignies

MN Headhunter | Paul DeBettignies — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:23:18 +0000

“Personal Brand” has gone out of control. I am seeing “gurus” telling everyone they can reach that without a “brand” they are at a disadvantage in finding a job.

Bull Shit.

In a few full time jobs maybe. For those in the consulting, “guru” and “expert” fields sure. But to say a marketing manager needs a brand to get a job is nonsense.

We need to back to a time when reputation mattered. Reputation built on results.

I know I am repeating what many of you have said but if I do not get this out the little vein in my temple is going to explode.

And a CAUTION needs to be put out: I have seen (or is it heard) of companies saying to me that they do not want to hire a “name” that is bigger or more well known than the company.

I know of a handful of people who strongly believe through their inside information that they were not hired because of this.

OK, done with the rant for the moment but I may need to revise and/or extend my remarks

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:31:48 +0000

@Ryan Who says an online persona is accurate? I know some people who blow up their shit online. ((cough cough)) The internet is a fantasy. Don’t live in the cloud.

@HRHooligan Ugh, personal brands. While applaud the trendy & viral nature of the phrase (it’s fun and makes me feel important), I also blanch because it makes me feel like toothpaste or laundry detergent. Hi I’m Laurie Ruettimann and I’m a mac, a cat person, and I use Tide. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE MY FUCKING MIND AT SOME POINT AND BE DIFFERENT.

@MarkW I think you recongize the complexity in this…

@Rick I dunno. My husband has no personal brand. He has a professional reputation, a private life, and a wife who blogs. And he does okay for himself. So this concept of personal brand — without the qualifiers of hard work and a backbone of ethical behaviors and an education — is a little too naive for me.

By: Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:44:01 +0000

It blows my mind to hear hiring managers saying they place NO importance on the social media footprint of potential hires.

Let me say one thing about the concept of “brand.” It’s your people. They are the outward extension of the company you are attempting to build. If you completely ignore the efforts of these potential hires in building their own brands, why would you entrust them with that of your company?

That goes the other way too, by the way. Let’s say they ace the interview. They blow the doors off the place. You might want to make sure any “online” persona matches the one you just met.

By: Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:42:47 +0000

It blows my mind to hear hiring managers saying they place NO importance on the social media footprint of potential hires.

That goes the other way too, by the way. Let’s say they ace the interview. The blow the doors off the place. You might want to make sure any “online” persona matches the one you just met.

By: akaBruno

akaBruno — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:50:45 +0000

@HR Hooligan I think it is as simple as what Marlo says in the fifth season of “The Wire:” “My name is my name.” What is one’s image? What is one’s reputation?

By: HR Hooligan

HR Hooligan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:41:03 +0000

What I want to know is this. What is everyone’s idea of what a personal brand is? I agree with MattyMat where it seems to be the trend right now. I’m still confused on what it REALLY means though…

By: MarkW

MarkW — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:47 +0000

Personally I don’t believe ‘checking-up’ on candidates on Facebook etc is a useful exercise and can lead to trouble. However if a candidate has an online following and has cultivated a personal brand they would presumably highlight this in their CV or contact details. If this is the case then it would be worth taking a look. Afterall you might like to think about how the corporate brand could be enhanced by the applicant’s personal brand. Furthermore, someone’s blog articles are an example of the quality of their work and a CV cannot demonstrate how well a person can articulate an argument or thought process. If nothing else their online content can provide a discussion point for the interview, during which you will gain a feeling for how well their online brand projects reality. As with any other information in the recruitment process, take what interests you, ignore what doesn’t and take whatever steps you need to check its validity.

By: Torben Rick

Torben Rick — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:52:35 +0000

The big Q is: Can you afford not to have a personal brand? I don’t think you can.

I have been working on my personal brand for some time – and still are. Would love to get your feedback: http://www.torbenrick.eu

Torben Rick