Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm, and Internships.com, the worldâ€s largest internship marketplace, announced a new study, “High School Careers,” which surveyed 4,769 students (172 high school students and 4,597 college students) and 326 employers from across the country. The study found high schoolers are actually more entrepreneurial than college students. Many high school students surveyed are interested in internships to get new skills, work experience and to network.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

The sponsors of the study, Dan Schawbel, founder of Millennial Branding and author of “Promote Yourself,” and Robin Richards, CEO of Internships.com, suggest the following reasons why itâ€s important for you to start to think about your future career while youâ€re still in high school:

1. Youâ€ll grow your network early. If youâ€re thinking about your career, youâ€ll make a point to start to network. Schawbel notes: “By going to school sponsored events, local meetups and connecting with your teachers, you can grow a powerful network that will support you in college admissions and beyond. Very few high school students take the time to meet professional contacts, leverage them to create opportunities and then keep in touch with them when they graduate.”

Thereâ€s no question that having a professional network is useful for career success. High school students who focus on career early are more likely to be motivated to focus on their personal brand. LinkedIn encourages teenagers to create profiles on their professional network, and young people who areinterested in their future are more likely to take advantage of this and other online and in-person tools to expand their network.

2. Youâ€ll be more competitive for college applications. If youâ€re applying to colleges, your part-time job or internship experience can build a case for you as a strong applicant. “Because many students apply to college after high school without having completed an internship, your experience over the summer can help you stand out from the crowd of students,” Richards explains. “The admissions committee will be able to see that you are motivated, inquisitive and serious about success from the fact that you used your break to work and gain professional experience.”

3. Youâ€ll have a head start figuring out what you want to do after high school. When you gain work experience, it will be easier to rule out the majors you won’t be interested in if you go to college, so you don’t make any career mistakes. Or, you may learn that you want to pursue a career that doesnâ€t require a college degree, and you can save a lot of money, time and effort. “The sooner you understand what you do and don’t want to do for a career, the easier it will be to make the right career decisions,” Schawbel says. “In high school there’s no pressure to pick a major or a career so it’s the best time to experiment.”

4. Youâ€ll learn a lot. Just applying for internships is a great learning experience. Richards explains: “Going through the internship application process and completing a summer internships program offers valuable decision-making lessons which can come in handy when applying to colleges and future summer internships.” She adds: “In addition to learning important skills that will make you a very valuable employee, a summer job or internship in high school can help you gain confidence and a better understanding of ‘the real world.'”

Originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report.

The post Plan your career in high school appeared first on Keppie Careers.

How can you combat this potential obstacle to your career success? Dan Schawbelâ€s new book, Promote Yourself, helps you begin to think about how to handle that challenge, especially for Gen Y workers who need to acclimate to a workplace that is very different from what their parents likely experienced.

In the book, Dan notes:

“As the world changes, so does the workplace. Companies are acquiring or being acquired, merging with other companies, or crumbling. Your team could be eliminated, your position outsourced, or you might lose interest in your job altogether. Itâ€s no surprise that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American will have about nine jobs between the ages of 18 and 32. The job youâ€re in now is just one stepping stone along your path.”

Promote Yourself describes how you can – and must – differentiate yourself in the workplace in order to stand out and move ahead. However, Dan also explains that itâ€s important to spread the word about your unique skills and abilities beyond the walls of your office. He says:

“Becoming a recognized expert in your field increases your value to your company. If your blog is widely read, if people comment on it and pass it along, if your articles appear in online journals and youâ€re invited to speak on panels, your company will perceive you as an expert; youâ€ll be recruited for higher level jobs. And with good reason. You arenâ€t just acting like an expert–all show and no substance– youâ€ll be an expert. By regularly gathering and analyzing data and transforming it into your own web content, youâ€ll be developing insights that make you a valuable company resource. Your brand will be an accurate reflection of what you bring to the job.”

I completely agree and believe this concept is something most people overlook. In todayâ€s workplace, you always need to be looking ahead. Without a crystal ball, itâ€s difficult to know “for sure” what to prepare for, but everyone is well served to create a marketable personal brand, both in and outside of their companies. Keep in mind, your next big thing may be starting your own business or creating a consultancy to address the needs of companies just like the one where you work.

Pick up a copy of Promote Yourself, which illuminates some important things you can do at work to make sure you are marketable now and in the future — whatever that future may hold for you or your industry. While on Amazon or in the bookstore, you may also want to pick up a copy of Social Networking for Business Success, the new book Hannah Morgan and I just launched. It is the prefect book to accompany Dan’s book, as we may all be working for ourselves sooner or later, and you’ll want to be planning ahead so you won’t be caught off guard!

You’ll also want to be sure to check out Dan’s special launch webcast event, where a variety of experts will comment on “the rapidly evolving workforce and marketplace, describe how Millennials can distinguish themselves and how businesses can help their multi-generational workforces effectively collaborate to unleash the power of difference as a competitive advantage.”

The post Learn to promote yourself for career success appeared first on Keppie Careers.

This issue of Personal Branding Magazine (which I co-edit) focuses on attracting the affluent. If you do plan to target this demographic, be sure you have a good reason and do so with intent! Most importantly – use your strengths to help the people who need and appreciate you the most!

I found myself nodding vigorously when reading Dan Gershensonâ€s article suggesting we all use our best strengths and “use them often” (and consistently) when creating a name for ourselves. Maybe everyone is jumping on one tool or another, but youâ€re doing yourself a disservice if you get involved in something that doesnâ€t showcase your strong points. Do what youâ€re good at if you want to succeed. And, donâ€t forget – you canâ€t build a reputation without people who believe in you. Jack Humphrey explains the importance of nurturing brand evangelists; he reminds us not to do too much alone. If you are a lone wolf, you are working too hard. Who are your brandâ€s allies? Keep your eyes (and ears) out and make them your partners.

This is true if you’re a business owner, and equally valid if you are looking for a job.

As a subscriber, you will find interviews with Patti Stanger, who is Bravo TVâ€s “The Millionaire Matchmaker.” Her clientele? Strictly millionaires who donâ€t have time to date because theyâ€re too busy running their businesses. Wealthy individuals usually have higher expectations and can be difficult to attract, especially when youâ€re first starting out. This issue will explain how to go about being a brand that serves them.

Take a look at the features:

• Full paid issue (February 1st):  19 articles total
• Sample issue:  8 articles total
• Interviews with:  Patti Stanger (Bravo TVâ€s The Millionaire Matchmaker), Ali Velshi (anchor for CNNâ€s “Your Money), David Novak (CEO of Yum! Brands), Dan Roam (bestselling author) and Meg Hirschberg (Inc. Magazine columnist).
• Free sample URL: http://personalbrandingsample.com
• Paid subscription URL:  http://personalbrandingmag.com
• Facebook page: http://facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

The post Market yourself to your target audience appeared first on Keppie Careers.

“Volume 5, Issue 1 is focused on how to use your established brand to unlock new opportunities and beat your competition. Brooke Burke, featured in our cover story, is a great example of someone whoâ€s successfully leveraged her brand. Brooke has taken the success of her TV and modeling career and used it to start her own company called Baboosh Baby. Since she is a well-known brand, sheâ€s able to open doors and create new monetization opportunities. Whether youâ€re famous or just starting out, this issue will give you the tools and advice you need to create brand leverage in your industry.”

In my introduction for the magazine, I highlight the concept of using personal branding to create your own success. Social networking and brand building offers so much potential; I wanted my new book, Social Networking for Career Success, to include a bullet on the front saying, “Learn how to job search in your sleep,” because you can use your profiles and online networking to attract business prospects and jobs. In this issue, Nikolas Allen reminds readers, “One of the best results of creating a strong, coherent and positive personal brand is that, in time, opportunities start seeking you.” So true.

We all need to remember how much control we have over our career paths. In this issue, Howard Sholkin quotes Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, saying, “Opportunity can be manufactured. Yes, you can wait around for the right set of circumstances to fall into place and then leap into action, but you can also create those sets of circumstances on your own. In doing so, you manufacture your opportunities.”

I think thatâ€s a great way to think about “personal branding” – an opportunity to manufacture your own opportunities.

Features

• Full paid issue (August 1st):  22 articles
• Sample issue (July 25th): 10 articles
• Interviews with: Brooke Burke, Justin Haplern (Shit My DadSays), Jim Craig (Olympic Gold Medalist), Barbara Corcoran (ABC’s Shark Tank), Ali Brown, Adam Bryant (NY Times Columnist), and Peter Shankman (HARO).

• Free sample URL: http://personalbrandingsample.com
• Paid subscription URL:  http://personalbrandingmag.com
• Facebook page: http://facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

Take a look!

The post Personal branding helps you manufacture your own opportunities appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Features:

• Full paid issue (May 1st): 25 articles total
• Sample issue: 9 articles total, including how to make a good first impression, how to manage your digital image, and wardrobe tips.
• Interviews with: Doug Conant (CEO of Campbells), Jim Quigley (CEO of Deloitte), Bob Taylor (CEO of Taylor Guitars), Sam Calagione (CEO of Dogfish Head), Brian Halligan (CEO of Hubspot), and Andy Boynton (Dean of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College).

• Free sample URL:http://personalbrandingsample.com
• Paid subscription URL: http://personalbrandingmag.com
• Facebook page:http://facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

Be sure to click through or subscribe for useful information, insights and details!

The post Personal Branding Magazine – CEO strategies appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Here is how Dan describes it:

Summary: Volume 4, Issue 2 is focused on dressing for success both in person and online. What you wear in your online pictures provides a first impression to the majority of the world. What you wear in interviews is just as important as your attire on the first day of work. When it comes to looking professional, stylish and showing personality, this issue will navigate you in the right direction. With interviews from three editor-in-chiefs from Hearst Magazine, you will know how to present yourself  successfully.

Features:

• Full paid issue (November 1st): 23 articles total covering how to become a valuable and indispensable brand.
• Sample issue: 9 articles total, including how to make a good first impression, how to manage your digital image, and wardrobe tips.
• Interviews with: Kate White (Cosmo), Joanna Coles (Marie Claire), Ann Shoket (Seventeen), Nancy Lublin (Founder of Dress for Success), Hitha Prabhakar (CNBC contributor), Patricia Handschiegel and Meghan Cleary (Huffington Post columnists) and Silvia Tcherassi (Latin America’s leading fashion designer).

• Free sample URL: http://personalbrandingsample.com
• Paid subscription URL: http://personalbrandingmag.com
• Facebook page: http://facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

Be sure to click through for useful information!

Need help getting a job? Check out THE CAREER SUMMIT for lots of great career advice.

The topics include everything from how to think about finding a job you love, to what has changed in search, demystifying the recruiting process, online career management, interviewing and (last but not least) — strategies and tips for your resume, social media profile and job search. Read more HERE or visit the site HERE to learn more.

The post How to dress for success, online and in person appeared first on Keppie Careers.

As a proponent of using social networking to enhance job seeking opportunities, I encourage people to jump in and take advantage of all the great tools, but it’s important to remember what NOT to do.

These are the mistakes Elizabeth highlights in her article. Be sure to READ THE FULL POST for specific advice and details.

1. Forgetting manners.

I was delighted to be quoted in this section! In short – “Assume your future boss is reading everything you share online.”

2. Overkill.

Signing up for too many networks and not making an effort to complete your profiles does not move your search forward.

3. Not getting the word out.

It’s important to let your networks know you are looking.

4. Quantity over quality.

Connect carefully and personalize your invitations.

5. Online exclusivity.

Don’t spend all of your time searching online; many jobs are not posted.

Don’t miss the expert advice from Sree Sreenivasan, dean of students at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Krista Canfield, a LinkedIn spokesperson, author Emily Bennington and personal branding expert Dan Schawbel in the Wall Street Journal’s FULL POST.

The post Don’t make these online job hunting mistakes appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Enjoy nine articles in the free sample issue, which can be found on PersonalBrandingSample.com. You’ll read partial interviews from Kathy Ireland, Vanna White and others. You’ll also see two articles on how to be socially responsible, authentic and build a remarkable brand.

Full issue available May 1st (paid subscribers only)

The full issue will be out on May 1st, including complete interviews with major business celebrities and a combined 28 articles for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to subscribe before May 1st in order to receive this issue.

More information can be found at PersonalBrandingMag.com.

Features

Exclusive interviews with:

• Kathy Ireland is an American former-model, actress, entrepreneur, CEO and designer of her eponymous brand product marketing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide. Her company’s  products are sold at over 50,000 locations in 15 countries, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales. Ireland’s annual take is thought to be around $10 million, which has prompted Forbes to name her the “prototype for model-turned-mogul.
• Vanna White is an American television personality, best known as puzzle-board presenter and co-host on the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune. White also has made cameo appearances on television shows such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, 227 and Full House; and in movies such as Naked Gun 33â…“: The Final Insult. She guest-starred on Married…With Children, in a gender-bending spoof of the movie Indecent Proposal.
• Jalen Rose is a retired professional basketball player. In college, he was a member of the University of Michigan Wolverines’ “Fab Five” (along with Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson) that reached the 1992 and 1993 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship games as both Freshmen and Sophomores.
• Daymond John is a fashion designer, author, and businessman from New York. He is best known for being the founder and CEO of the fashion company FUBU. John is a ‘Shark’ on the new ABC television show Shark Tank. His latest book is called The Brand Within.
• Leslie Scott is the creator of Jenga, the second-best selling game in the world, and the co-founder of Oxford games. One of the world’s few professional game designers, Scott spends her time in the Oxford countryside and the African plains with her two children and her husband.
• Dan Heath is co-author of the New York Times bestseller, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die.  It was also a BusinessWeek bestseller for two years.  Dan and his brother, Chip, published their second book, Switch, in February 2010, which is a #1 New York Times bestseller.
• Harvey Mackay is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including Swim With the Sharks (Without Being Eaten Alive), Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt and his latest book Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door. He is a nationally syndicated columnist, and one of America’s most popular business speakers. His books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 35 languages and distributed in 80 countries.

Contributors

Experts, authors, and bloggers such as:

• Shama Kabani, author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing
• Jamie Riddell, writer and startup mentor
• Lon S. Safko, author of The Social Media Bible
• Matt Cheuvront, blogger, Life Without Pants
• Tac Anderson, blogger at New Comm Biz
• Michael Brito, vice president at Edelman Digital
• Kristin Marshall, editor of social media for The Next Web
• Monica Hamburg, social media speaker and writer
• Paul Chaney, author of The Digital Handshake

The post Personal Branding Magazine appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Dan Schawbel

Summary: Volume 3, Issue 3 is about becoming so important to your company, your customers and the people around you, that they can’t live without you. When that occurs, you’ll be making more money, have better relationships and wield a powerful personal brand. In this issue, Seth Godin reveals his hope for career revolutionaries who want to remain relevant in a world that is being transformed by the internet. Also, in this issue we explore how Guy Fieri has built his personal brand as a television personality on the food network and how NFL football player Jarvis Green has taken the leap into entrepreneurship.

Here is my introduction to the magazine:

Becoming indispensable – a tall order to be sure. Is it the proverbial “golden ring” –an admirable ambition, but always
out of reach?

This issue of Personal Branding Magazine may convince you that there are many ways to be indispensable –and that it is an
achievable goal for anyone with courage and determination, both of which are key for success. Seth Godin reminds us that one big hurdle is having “enough guts to be criticized.” True enough; it is tough to be remarkable without remarking!

You may be surprised to learn that becoming indispensable is not all about you! Seth reminds us that the most important
consideration is not about how to promote yourself. Instead, ask, “How can I do work that people will want to promote?” So true,
and something many forget when trying to make a name for themselves.

This issue makes it clear that being indispensable means giving more than you expect to receive. Develop what Nicole Crimaldi describes as a “personal balance sheet.” She advises, “…Build relationships, follow your passions…and create value for others in everything you do.”

Actualizing that value helps you carve out another important piece of the puzzle –engendering confidence. Contributor Maria Elana Duron points out, “Even if you have the best mousetrap in the world, if people don’t know you or like you and trust you, then they’re not going to do business with you. Period.” Well said.

Be someone people WANT to know. Offer useful resources, advice and insights. You may be surprised by how far good content, well shared, will take you on your road to becoming indispensable.

Features:

• Full paid issue (February 1st): 28 articles total covering how to become a valuable and indispensable brand.
• Sample issue: 8 articles total, including how to be an authority, blog SEO and how to grow, polish and protect your future.
• Interviews with: Seth Godin, Guy Fieri, Jarvis Green and Alexandra Levit

Promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMuHZZJtv90
Free sample URL: www.personalbrandingsample.com
Paid subscription URL: www.personalbrandingmag.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PersonalBrandingMagazine

If you need a little assistance demonstrating your personal brand, I can help! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

The post Being indispensable and your personal brand appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Dan Schawbel is one of the authorities on the topic of personal branding, particularly for the Millennial generation. I am happy to serve as a co-editor of Personal Branding Magazine. The new sample issue is available. This is how Dan describes it:

Summary: Personal Branding Magazine Volume 3, Issue 2 is about brand reinvention through social media and what better example of that than MC Hammer.  Hammer, a celebrity hip-hop star, sold millions of albums back in the 80’s.  Decades later, Hammer is now one of the front men for the social media movement.  He has his multi-million Twitter following and his own social network to keep in touch with his old fans. Aside from Hammer, this issue will help you control brand perceptions, repair a damaged brand and give you tips and tricks for navigating the web 2.0 terrain, so that stay ahead of the game.

I am also happy to welcome a new co-editor to the management team! Jessica Lewis is a communications professional with a significant background in journalism and copy editing. Her specialty is helping organizations connect with their audience by communicating in a concise, informative, relevant and inviting way. Her blog reflects her interest in social marketing and effective job hunting. You may also want to follow her on Twitter @copytailor.

In her introduction, Jessica notes:

You don’t have to be famous to benefit from a personal brand. Douglas Karr encourages us to give it a try, even if you have to take your profile picture on your webcam. He says that even though he has friends who are better at some things than he is, they never get the great opportunities he does.

One sentence from Howard Sholkin’s piece stood out to me as an excellent summary of this issue’s focus: “You can shape your reputation, network and expertise, or others can do it for you, but probably not as well.”

Features:

• Full paid issue (November 1^st): 29 articles total covering brand reinvention, strategy and related topics.  Website: www.personalbrandingmag.com
• Free sample issue (October 26^th): 8 articles total, including how to fix a broken image and how to get a competitive advantage.   Website: www.personalbrandingsample.com
• Interviews with: MC Hammer, Kerry Rhodes, Patrick Lencioni, Steve Rubel, John Jantsch and Mitch Joel
• The 2009 Personal Brand Awards

Here’s a video introduction:

—

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

The post New issue of Personal Branding Magazine appeared first on Keppie Careers.