Your 140-Character Brand

Posted by in Customer Service


I have written recently on the new ways social media is effecting the job search. One of those articles looked at how things like tweeting on Twitter may become more important in some situations, even possibly replacing the need for a resume. While even I thought that was a leap, the information was very interesting and worth reporting on. So, you can imagine my feelings when I ran across yet another similar example related to this change in the job search ideas of old.

 

Shep Hyker, a well-known voice in the Customer Service industry, recently published a blog post titled Create Your 140 Character Brand Promise. The post discusses how Pizza Hut recently interviewed for a social media manager, but in order to interview for the position, you had to be able to do so within 140 seconds--reminiscent of the 140-character limit on Twitter. The interview would also include a live viewing of the candidates LinkedIn page. Pizza Hut would not accept paper resumes.

 

“It's the modern day elevator speech. The time you have to tell a story, engage a customer or leave a lasting impression on someone socially has shrunk to seconds,” is what Doug Terfehr of Pizza Hut says according to Forbes writer Aaron Perlut. It is a fast paced world no doubt, and some jobs – like a social media manager – must be filled by someone who is quick thinking and able to make a valid point, compacted into a small container.

 

Company slogans can make or break a company, and so can quick catch phrases sent out in social media cyber-space. Also, quick and fun phrases can be useful in drawing attention to company ads, specials, etc. Many companies can quickly be identified by these types of short slogans and descriptions, and Hyker lists some examples in his article by playing a game of name that company:

 

A chain of department stores that is known for its amazing customer service? (76 characters)

 

An airline that has reasonable flights, fun flight attendants and lots of peanuts? (88 characters)

 

The point is that it should be possible to create a short brand that quickly identifies a company, product, or service. Therefore, try creating the same type of brand to describe you in a similar manner. Can you come up with something that is concise, accurate, and that you are able to deliver? This kind of practice can be very helpful when it comes time to answer that age-old interview question – “tell me about yourself.” 

 

So, when you are out interviewing for that CSR position or any position for that matter, keep things concise, compact, and constructive to your self-promotion. 

 

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Jeff McCormack
    Jeff McCormack
    Thanks for the comments everyone - this type of new branding idea is not that wide spread, but may be the way of the future, so worth exploring. Angelia, I would have loved to have provided more examples, but there is such diversity in what could be said depending on the person and the position desired, that I didn't want to delve too much into that area of the conversation. The links provided in the article may provide a little more in the way of ideas and examples.
  • Angelia H
    Angelia H
    Information was helpful but would have liked more specific wording advise. Understand the short & concise but what are the best words to use that are the most effective?
  • Michaela T
    Michaela T
    Awesome post
  • Marcus P
    Marcus P
    "Tell me about yourself.' To me, engages a respectful interview. There are levels of experienced workers, and experienced positions that employers are recruiting for all the time. I would expect to introduce myself , and speak of my work experiences, so it's common to me.Tweeting, something that I don't do regularily, is a social- media frenzy that has not completely been replaced by much to the day. So, if a boss wants to explore the thought of a experienced employee with tactics to speculate on their efficiency in trivaling times thrughout the length of the regular business existence, and a company member's current occupation, then the twittering act is not so outrageous, but to me, implementing thought. I could see myself training to apply skills that might improve the operating criteria. We are in some cases working to improve!
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