4 Ways Thinking Like Kim Kardashian Can Help You Score Your Next Job

 By Meredith Coburn

Say what you want about Kim Kardashian, but girlfriend knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. From TV shows, clothing lines, perfume, jewelry, tanning products, and other paid endorsements and appearances, there aren’t many places you can go without seeing her.

You might think she’s all fluff, but what if I told you that reality TV queen Kim Kardashian could actually teach you a thing or two about the best ways to market yourself for your next job?

Here are four things I’ve learned by keeping up with Kim:

Brand yourself

Branding is complicated, but when executed correctly, it’s one of the most powerful marketing strategies. One of my professors at DePaul University told me that branding is simply how people perceive you. They’re not objects you can pick up; rather, they’re intangibles (perceptions, reputations, personalities). The best branding strategies are so seamlessly executed that most of us don’t even realize they exist.

Kim Kardashian has turned herself into one of the most successful and profitable brands in the country. The women who buy Sketchers Shape-Ups or clothes from the Kardashian Kollection at Sears this fall aren’t buying the product—they’re buying the chance to look and feel like Kim. So, start thinking of yourself as a brand. How do you want people to perceive you? What makes you stand out? When you’re up against a lot of candidates for a job or internship, your answers to these questions will set you apart from the rest.

Message, not medium

Whether she’s on TV or Twitter (she earned $25,000 from Armani for a single tweet), Kardashian is always a part of the conversation. While most brands struggle with this aspect of their image, KK has got it down. And because she’s put her stamp on everything from Carl’s Jr. to a really terrible pop song (sorry Kimmy), her brand is ubiquitous. She’s always part of the media’s cultural conversation. It’s no wonder that the products she endorses enjoy frequent success and almost instant publicity. You need to be actively involved in today’s competitive job market. The company you’re dying to work for? Follow them on Twitter, “like” them on Facebook, and join the conversation (but remember, privacy settings are your best friend: that picture of your perfect keg stand is not an ideal way to set yourself apart).

Expand your social network

Today, networking means many different things, and to set yourself apart from other millenials, you’ve gotta put yourself out there—in person and online. Attend networking events in the city. If you’re a college student, your university is probably flooding your Inbox with internship and career fair opportunities every week. Also, look for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Our girl Kim K is queen of social media, and whether she’s chatting about her latest workout or asking her followers for their advice or feedback (all 10 million of them) she makes sure she’s a part of the conversation.

Kreativity is key

Brands need to market themselves in many different formats. Just because your TV ads were once wildly successful, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore other options. Marketing goals are often structured around a single question: “Are we bringing in the desired amount of sales?” If the answer is “no,” changes need to be made. Kim was certainly creative in marketing her summer 2011 nuptials: People Magazine reportedly paid $1.5 million for exclusive rights to Kim’s wedding photos, while E! received an undisclosed amount for the video footage (which will air in October as part of a four hour, two-part series).

While you should definitely network through the “assumed” channels (LinkedIn, career fairs, networking events) think of new and different ways to get yourself out there. Start a blog about your internship this summer. Go to networking events in the city. Take your favorite professor out for coffee. At the very least, you’ll learn more about yourself and be that much more prepared to enter the workforce.

Meredith Coburn is an intern at Ragan Communications. This story first appeared on the Millennial Mafia blog.