Will Obama's Marketing Machine Win Him The Job?

Talk about wanting and then orchestrating a magnificent force to landing a job...

The DNC is over! And what a spectacle it was with Ted Kennedy making a surprise appearance, Michelle Obama humanizing Barack, Joe Biden making his case, Hillary Clinton promoting (even if only for the evening) unity in the party, and former president Bill Clinton praising (even if only for the evening) Obama's candidacy.

And what an open book strategy by President Clinton it was by the way. I mean, earlier in the day of his speech he essentially makes comments suggesting that Barrack can talk a great game, but questions whether or not he can actually produce and influence the change that America needs. In the same hours before the speech he also makes it public that he will not be present at Barack's acceptance speech on Thursday evening. And then, a mere few hours later in that same day, and like the flip of a light switch, he eloquently comes on stage and praises Barack. He does all of this almost as if to blatantly suggest - he will do what he has to do for the party, but beforehand wanted to make it very clear that he was only doing just that - what he had to do for “his” party. After all, just ask him, it is indeed “his” party.

So President Clinton gives his well received speech to a very delighted and cheerful crowd. He owns the audience and owns the crowd for that moment. He captures and mesmerizes the audience in a fashion that almost no other can. Umm.., “almost” that is.

Because fear not... Barack made a surprise final guest appearance at the closing of that evening on Wednesday to "steal" Clinton's thunder. The blissful crowd seemed on cloud nine at his entrance. Barack was not going to let that night go to Clinton. And he didn't. Genius.

But I digress...

Last night’s finale put things into new perspective for me. I realized that Barack Obama's campaign was very new-media marketing savvy. But I didn't realize what marketing geniuses he and his campaign together actually were. Just look at the show they put together, and the grand-finale of it all last night. In a huge stadium, with thousands, and thousands of people to virally convey his message to their friends, families and co-workers; fireworks to further awe the crowd and remember the magical evening; and an incredible stage almost suggesting he were a Greek god. He clearly wants the job and clearly understands how to promote himself in getting that job to the people (hiring managers, if you will) making the decision.

Barack realizes he has shortcomings in terms of experience on many levels. And he is prodigious at masking that and turning that disadvantage into an opportunity. He speaks powerfully, has an abundance of magnetism, and connects with the audience. He understands the power of viral marketing and realizes the Internet is a powerful interactive marketing medium and includes these variables to a large degree in his efforts at getting this job. He carefully selects the right colors, the right tag lines, and even the right fonts on all his marketing initiatives.

Will he get the job though? Unbelievably, this can actually all come down to personal branding, marketing and promotion.

So what in the world does all this have to do with getting a job?

Throughout my Blog I make many comments and suggestions about personal branding. Unfortunately and much to the denial of many, it isn’t always the sharpest candidate that gets the job. Personality can compensate for shortcomings that can be later learned. Hiring managers get that. What’s of importance is chemistry of a candidate coming into the team.

No, while trying to get that next job you obviously can’t put on a show like the DNC. That really isn’t my point at all. You can however, go into a hiring process with a high level of confidence and communication and personal branding. The Internet provides many means of personal ebranding that are completely free for you to take advantage (like LinkedIn.com).

So on your next interview, be prepared, be confident, smile a lot and make the case that you “are” the chosen person for the specific job. You can do it… Yes You Can!