Erica is a Journalism student at Emory University. She is the Co-Founder/Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Emory branch of HerCampus.com, a national magazine for college women. She loves to write and is passionate about all things related to the media–her life-long interest. Her motivation and enthusiasm has landed her at BizBash Media in New York City, where she is serving as an Editorial Intern before heading back to Atlanta for her junior year.

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If the hiring director at your dream company were to search your name on Google,  what would they discover? Would they uncover some questionable pictures of you on Facebook out at a chic club? Or maybe an inappropriate comment you posted on a friend’s wall years ago? Perhaps they would come across information about other people with a similar name, or worse—find nothing to suggest that you’re even a real person.

I decided it was time to check out what my possible employers were finding out about me on Google. I opened up my browser, went to the search engine, and just typed in my name. Simple enough, right? Continue Reading »

Recently I read a LinkedIn article for small business owners that stated, “You should think of your profile as an online resume.”  I could not disagree more. And, when you are done reading this article, let me know what you think!

Now, while you think whether or not your LinkedIn profile should be regarded as a resume, let me ask you: When was the last time you read an interesting and intriguing resume?

Most resumes tend to be boring and bland.  Now, how is this going to help you attract viewers and prospects?  Simple, it can’t.

As a small business owner or a business development executive, you have to start thinking of your profile as a marketing tool and not a resume.  Since you have to change your mindset about this, I have developed six distinct reasons why your profile should not look like a resume.

Why You Should Not Think of Your LinkedIn Profile as Your Resume

Reason #1:  A resume is not personal enough.

The goal of LinkedIn is to connect with people and build relationships. The only way you will connect with prospects is to personalize your profile.  To do this you need to tell stories and share information that gives a better scope of:

• Who you are.
• What makes you tick.
• How you can help the prospect.
• What new and exciting information you have to offer them.

Continue Reading »

This blog post was submitted by Keith Petri, eBranding Me’s Founder/CEO. Keith is a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY and Digital & Social Media Strategist at CNSLT.us. His studies in business, economics and studio art along with strong passions for marketing, technology and entrepreneurship led him to his current passion for social media and strong understanding of the new rules of networking. Through his prior entrepreneurial pursuits, recent blogging and extensive networking, Keith has seen the need for educating his peers on creating a positive online presence. eBranding Me is the culmination of his efforts.

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Many people exchange business cards and the majority of them end up in a desk drawer. Last week, during a conversation with Matt Bernstein, a fellow Skidmore graduate and the President of Pair of Shoes Digital Marketing, we briefly touched on the informal exchange of business cards at networking events. As the discussion continued we concluded, “connecting on LinkedIn is like trading business cards”. It doesn’t mean a personal relationship was made unless each party consciously decides to make an effort to continue the conversation.

SEE MORE VIDEOS ON KEP.TV Continue Reading »

This blog post was submitted by Keith Petri, eBranding Me’s Founder/CEO. Keith is a graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. His studies in business, economics and studio art along with strong passions for marketing, technology and entrepreneurship led him to his current passion for social media and strong understanding of the new rules of networking. Through his prior entrepreneurial pursuits, recent blogging and extensive networking, Keith has seen the need for educating his peers on creating a positive online presence. eBranding Me is the culmination of his efforts.

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The job market is very competitive. With nearly 20% of Generation Y unemployed or underemployed, you need to stand out from the crowd to become noticed by hiring managers and/or recruiters. What makes you different? How do you apply for the open position? Are you networking enough? Continue Reading »

When James Alexander searched Google for his name in 2009 he found everything but information about him. This frustration was a result from his very common name, comprised of two first names. Only after utilizing Google’s advance search function and targeting his past work history along with other discerning personal characteristics was James able to configure and control the results that portrayed him in the best possible light.

At the time, James simply copied the extensive Google search query URL and created a shortened Bit.ly link. By sharing this custom link to tailored Google results on his personal LinkedIn page he was in complete control of what potential business partners, clients and recruiters saw when they pressed: “Google Me”. James knew that others would find this process to be useful and decided to share his idea; Vizibility was launched soon after.

There are millions of people who suffer because they have two first names, a very unique name or an impossible to spell name. James Alexander was not the only one who suffered from this problem: a lack of relevant search results on Google. There is a need for a button that, in essence, would be a Google Me button that returns the results an individual wants you to see first. Continue Reading »