If you can tell a company what it is about you that makes you the best hire for the job, you'll be way ahead of any competition. Here's how to do that.

The first step is to sign up in the column on the right for our Free Special Report: How to Create Your Own memorable Brand!

It’s a powerful way to turbo charge your job search. You’ll be able to use it in networking, interviews, resume creation, your LinkedIn profile and much more.

I'll let you in on a recruiting secret. The most qualified candidate doesn't always get the job. The reality is your skills aren't enough to get you the job. Of course, the good news out of this is this alsomeans you can get a job when you aren't the most qualified. There is one essential thing you must do to increase the odds in your favor.

Develop your brand and use it consistently!

You must create a brand that makes you memorable and desirable to hiring managers. If you don't, two things happen:

1. You fade into the crowd of all those other candidates for the position, and

2. You leave it up to others to create a brand for you.

From my experience, I can almost guarantee the brand created this way will be incomplete, inaccurate or even non-existent–making you anything other than memorable and desirable.

I think most job seekers know they should have a brand. But the leap from knowing that to actually creating a brand is a big one. So, understandably but regretfully, almost none of the candidates I talk to have a brand. Now the hiring manager's choice comes down to things the candidate cannot control. And it's still not just about skills.

So if it's so important, how come so few job seekers actually have their brand identified? I surely didn't in my early job searches. People told me it was important but never told me how to actually do it!! So here is exactly what you can do.

I have an easy technique—actually it’s even fun and fast. You actually start some networking activities while you are uncovering your brand.  The good news is that when you ask people you know the questions I give you, your brand is being disclosed in those conversations.

Job seekers usually tell me it’s difficult to be able to come up with this on their own, which is what most techniques require you to do. It’s much easier and much faster to have people who have worked with you give you their thoughts. I know this can be scary but trust me on this—people will be delighted to share their thoughts. It’s like hearing all the good stuff without the funeral.

One of the extra bonuses you get from doing this exercise is that you can now quote people who had good things to say about you. Use these statements when you network and when you interview. That social proof of other people saying you get great results will make you irresistible to the hiring manager!

Please sign up in the column on the right for our Free Special Report: How to Create Your Own memorable Brand!

You’ll be able to use it in networking, interviews, resume creation, your LinkedIn profile and much more.

Enjoy! And let me know how it goes.

Whether you’re doing social networking on the web or in-person network, these four things can make you even more successful.

And face-to-face networking should still be a significant portion of your job search networking strategy. I know it’s easier to send an email but the real progress comes from actually meeting and talking to someone. Here re 4 keys to success.

Relationship: If you remember only one thing, please make it this one. Networking success is based on relationship. The relationship must come first, then your agenda. When you take the time to get to know someone and let someone get to know a little about you (other than the fact you’re looking for a job), they will be more willing and able to help you.

Real: Be who you are. Don’t think you must be going to lots of those big “job networking” meetings if they aren’t your style. Do what feels right for you. When you are authentic, people feel it, and you will be able to build a real relationship with them.

Reality: Not everyone you meet will have a job lead for you or be able to connect you with someone you want to meet. But you never know where the connection with them will lead. Don't leave them with the comment “Well if you hear of anything, please let me know.” The reality is nearly every networker says that and
the rest of the reality is that the other person probably won’t be able to remember you from that statement.

Relax: Spend a little time building the relationship in a way that works for you. Don’t think you have to tell everyone in the first 27 seconds that you’re looking for a job. That will come out in a natural way if you can relax a little and just enjoy getting to know the other person.

I know these are easier said than done. But if you just start practicing them even a little, you will start seeing greatly enhanced results from your networking. And you just might start enjoying it!

Best wishes for a wonderful new job—very soon!

Remember, I’m here if you need any assistance. You don’t have to do job search alone.

Watch the video! - Sometimes at networking events, you might meet someone who seems happy to just keep talking to you for the entire meeting. It can be difficult to gracefully move on to someone else without possibly hurting or insulting that person. Here is a way that you can use or modify to fit your style.

“I’ve enjoyed talking to you.” (Repeat any promise you’ve made to them that you intend to keep).

“I know there are lots of other people here who are looking forward to meeting you, so I’m going to let you move on.”

Thank them for any advice or help they’ve provided.

After you walk away, make a note on their business card of anything you want to remember about them, what you’ve promised them, etc.

People will appreciate and remember you for your kind ending.