When I was 17 years old, I wanted to go to a bar with my friends (I did not even drink any alcohol at that stage). I asked my parents if they would be fine with me going, and my dad said to me:

“You only have one name, and if you lose that name you have nothing left.” It was my first lesson in personal branding.

As a business owner, even before I vet a candidate based on their CV or skillset, their email subject line and body copy show me more than any list of amazing experience and sterling references ever could, and often communicates all I really need to know about them.

You can tell straight away:

• Is it a blanket email?
• Did they take the time to copy check?
• Did they research my company to show that they will fit, or can offer something extra?

From there, I scan the CV (sometimes it is not even attached) and then I usually head on over to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Google.

According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees.

As we always remind ourselves: You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

The importance of personal branding and attention to detail is invaluable! The gig economy is not going away anytime soon. The average person switches jobs every 2 to 3 years, and it is predicted that freelance and contract workers will make up 43% of the U.S. workforce in the near future.

In a post-pandemic world, companies will do just about anything to avoid hiring full-time employees and screening and appointing the right candidates will become a lengthy and even more costly exercise.

So, before you send out your next job application email, consider the following:

1. Do your research.
2. Find the correct person to address in your email.
3. Keep your message short and to the point.
4. Show your personality.
5. Check your attachments. At least attach your CV.
6. Copy check everything.
7. Send a follow-up email a week later to confirm receipt.
8. Make sure your social media accounts are professional or at least shows the aspects of yourself you would like your future employer to see.

A bit about Hatch Communication:

Our core values include:

• Fulfilment: Our personal and business goals must be aligned. There should always be balance.
• Integrity: We know and do what is right and what we say we will do.
• Helpfulness: We value long-term relationships over short term gain.
• Ownership: We take initiative and own results. We love cracking a challenge.
• Positivity: We build each other up and refer to ourselves as a #talentfamily.
• Our head office is in Stellenbosch.
• We have been working fully remotely since March 2019 and service local and international brands.
• Hatch has a small, committed team.
• Our team creates an environment where people can learn and thrive.

If you resonate with our value and are passionate about public relations, social media and digital marketing, please send your CV to work@hatchco.co.za.

Written by Diani Smit: CEO Hatch Communication