The mainstream media has reported long-term unemployment and talk of an economic recession for the United States. Since this is a blog about personal branding, my goal is to capture any piece of news that may positively or negatively impact your brand now or in the future.
Here are the facts (pain points): 
- The long-term unemployed — those who have been seeking work for at least six months — represented 18.3 percent of the nation’s 7.65 million men and women looking for jobs. That was up from 16.2 percent a year ago.
- The nation’s employers eliminated 17,000 jobs in January, which is the first decline in the work force in more than four years, and the strongest signal yet that the United States may be in the early stages of a recession.
- By December there were 376,000 fewer jobs
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My Opinion
Recently, Anita Bruzzese interviewed me to discuss these issues, as they are a rising concern to the general population and career management. You can view a copy of the interview here and here, so far.
Anita: With the uncertainties in the economy right now, do you think it makes career branding more popular than ever? Why or why not?
Me: With the economic uncertainties that plague corporations, they will do far less hiring this year, as well as be more selective in which candidates they choose. The individuals who have properly branded themselves, both online and offline, will be secure and have the best chance of claiming what jobs are left. As people become more concerned and suddenly alarmed by the economy, they will be forced into taking a second look at their careers. Personal branding is more popular than ever because we have more channels to convey our value and expertise to others, such as blogs and social networks. The more people view examples of people building their brands, the more they will realize how powerful it truly can be.
More thoughts
Beneath the surface of the recession there is still a war for talent. In order to companies to be innovative and ahead of the curve, they need to constantly steel and attract talent that can bring value and ideas. When you become an indispensable brand, there will always be a job waiting for you and it will be your choice whether to take it or not. We tend to view the recruiting process as a push, instead of a pull, which is a major problem.
By creating a blog, joining social networks, and putting a profile page on various job boards, you are in fact allowing your brand to be found (searchable on Google, etc). If you have the proper mix of abilities that are relevant to your industry, combined with differentiators, you will not have to worry about this recession.
Those that worry are the one’s that haven’t caught onto the personal branding practice and I hope they are either reading this or are in the midst of rethinking their job approach.
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Dan
Since we are in the middle of a presidential election, have you thought about discussing branding with candidates and political consultants?
Brandon, I have thought about it. I have backlog of a lot of posts, but will make it a priority now that I see interest.
Thanks.
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