This post was featured on  http://www.cheezhead.com/ and written by Chris Perry, a Gen Y Brand and Marketing Generator, a Career Search and Personal Branding Expert and the Founder of Career Rocketeer, the Career Search and Personal Branding Blog.

There is no doubt that colleges and universities, both private and public, have their own unique reputations. Each institution’s reputation, or brand, is based on a combination of different factors, including its history, size, location, academic prestige, arts, athletics, resources and alumni.

There will always be some schools that are better known or that have stronger reputations than others; however, no matter where you go to college or graduate school, your school’s brand doesn’t make or break your personal brand or the value that you would bring to an organization.

Here’s my advice:

If you go to an ivy league school or any other institution with a strong, well-known brand, be sure to take advantage of this already-established brand equity and leverage it in your job search efforts. Candidates from your school may already be valuable to and sought after by certain employers and recruiters depending on the successes of past alumni or the current relationship between your school and those specific employers. 

However, do not—and I mean, do not—solely ride the coattails of your school’s brand when seeking job opportunities without supporting that brand and even working to overshadow it with your own personal brand. Show employers, recruiters, or anyone interviewing you that you’re a top candidate above and beyond what particular school insignia may grace your diploma.

You should be confident in your interviews. However, if you have attended what is considered to be a “top school,” do not make the mistake of being overly confident by believing that your school’s reputation will be the tipping point in getting you the job. Your personal brand must be even more impressive than the brand of your alma mater. Steer interview conversation to your personal achievements, strengths and contributions. 

If you attended a good, yet lesser-known school, don’t be intimidated in your job search by other candidates, regardless of where they went to college, and don’t let your school’s brand discourage you from pursuing your dream opportunities. 

Obviously, if you can work through professionals within your alumni network, you can leverage that connection in your outreach to employers and in your interviews; however, establish and consistently express and reinforce your personal brand in all of your communications. 

As a personal anecdote, I was actually asked in an interview, “Why should we pick you over all the other candidates from the top programs in the country?”

Now while I am very proud of my college and my graduate business program, I recognize that it is not ranked nationally as highly as some of the programs from which my fellow candidates had graduated. But, I did not let this become an obstacle in my self-presentation. I looked the interviewer confidently in the eyes and said, “You know, my fellow candidates are definitely qualified and come from schools with very strong brands; however, it has been my experience that your personal brand means more to an organization than your school’s, and I believe my personal brand to be …” This proved to be very powerful and successful, as I was offered the opportunity.

Therefore, regardless of how much clout your alma mater’s name may carry, go forth to the job search with confidence in your own personal brand.