#CareerCounsel: Which is the brand for you?

There are so many things to consider when you are deciding on a job offer. For more on the overall decision, which is daunting and exciting all at once, you can read our previous thoughts on the matter right here.

However, in today’s #CareerCounsel session we are going to look at the type of brand you would really fit into. It’s important to begin considering this before you even apply for a role, let alone accept an offer. Here’s why…

A brand you can believe in

So that might sound like a cheesy tagline from the 90’s, but it is very important to consider for the future of your career. Where will you make a difference? Where will make an impact on your own career development? What kind of product or service would enhance your productivity and passion because you love working with it? So many questions…here are some answers:

• Brand Values – It’s important to relate to what the brand wants to achieve. It should inspire you and push you to inspire others with the brand message. From colleagues to customers, can you demonstrate the brand values through everything you do?
• The products – No matter what your company does, if you’re able to really work with the product offering because you want to (not have to) then you are on to a winner. It shouldn’t end there; you should have ideas about how you can help evolve the brand and its offering, keeping ahead of the competition and staying relevant to your audience.
• Future prospects – If there is a brand within a particular industry, and you want to climb the ranks, it will do great things for your future career goals. Of course, it is important to consider your plan if you are attempting to enter a new industry to work for your dream brand. Let’s say you are moving from technology to fashion as an example. Be ready to demonstrate how transferrable your skills are, that you’re willing to learn new things and how interested you are in the industry. Some networking, or activity on LinkedIn, could really help establish your interest in a particular industry. 

Further into the hiring process – what to consider…

If you begin a process in similar brands you feel could be a match for you, you have the chance to find out a bit more about the company and how they work.

• The people – Company culture is important, but there is a lot more to consider than environment & the company attitude as a whole. Learn more about the individuals of the team and how they represent the brand values – it really doesn’t hurt to ask, and the hiring team will know this information is important to you.
• Manager – Does your potential manager passionately sell the brand? Do you think they inspire a likeminded team towards the brand goal and will they help you develop as an individual? It’s a good feeling to not only be inspired by a brand but also the people leading you.

A quick #PandaPounds insight

The subject of brand was something we included in our 2016 Salary Survey, so of course we will share a quick insight! So when considering a new role, how did our respondents approach the brand?

• 49% say the brand is important when looking for a new role.
• 26% believe it is absolutely essential
• 20% are neutral towards the brand when they are picking a new role, while the remaining 5% do not see it as important whatsoever. What is interesting is these respondents share similar feelings towards the industry of a role also, so it is clear brand and industry is not always considered. 

If you’re reading this and thinking you hadn’t considered the different aspects behind the brand before, why not try it if you are ever on the hunt for a new role?