If you don’t see the video above, then here’s the link: bchannelnews.tv » Megan Berry on Klout.

We start the process of self-discovery by looking into several key issues including; personal values, personality, strengths, achievements, passions, the opinions of others and finally, we take a brief look at weaknesses. To many this seems to be a little far from the original expectations of developing an online presence but you have to start at the heart of the matter.

People don’t give enough thought to what they are all about, what they can offer the world, and what they want to offer the world. We’re all so busy, overworked and overwhelmed to give ourselves the time we deserve. It’s easier to think about stuff, to-do lists, tasks, technology, friends, ….. We all need to take the time to think about what’s important to us, what we have to give to others and how we want to continue to develop and grow.

Do you know what your values, passions and strengths are? I hope my PR students now have a better handle on these big issues and now know what their keywords and phrases are, we will see next class.

“In its recent job search study, AfterCollege found that social media ranked last among respondents (10.9 per cent) asked to gauge the effectiveness of job search methods. At the top of the list were more traditional methods like online job boards (71.9 per cent) and applying directly to the organization (70.7 per cent).”

Students will eventually catch on to the fact that selling themselves requires several “marketing methods” besides job boards and sending emails.  Social media opens up a whole new set of personal selling dimensions that cannot be conveyed in a job board, direct email message or letter.  Students and job seekers should be telling their story and conveying their brand across a web site (such as a WhyHire.me profile), emails, letters, a phone call, printed resume and interviews. Why? Its proven to work.

One can draw a parallel from the real world of sales and marketing in corporate North America. The tried and true salesperson will call and email with some kind of offer, hook or appeal – just like everyone else. After a while, the customer is inundated and all the callers start sounding the same. If the marketing department is cleaver and thinking about their value and the customers requirements, they can change the game with social media.  It can engage the customer over the Internet with authentic content, commentary and other engaging materials. How real is this trend?  Social media spending is forecasted to outgrow traditional advertising over the next five year. Corporations have figured this out – they finally picked up on the Cluetrain Manifesto – a tremendous book I ready seven years ago.

Hiring managers are expect to be emailed, called and given resumes pulled from job boards.  Graduates and students coming out of post-secondary have a tremendous opportunity to leverage social media and truly stand apart and differentiate themselves. They can no longer count on age old methods – the world has changed (again) and new methods will become the norm.

Online personal branding is a huge LATENT need that is awakening. This is why we packaged up our 30 years of marketing, branding and technology experience into an integrated program. In time, it will become conventional wisdom, must like using job-boards and direct email techniques for job search. Passionate channel partners are more then welcome to work with us!