Tips for Building a Personal Brand
For Your Job Search & Beyond
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve probably heard the term, “your personal brand.” And those very same people who have dropped the term have probably also told you that you need one. But why do you need a personal brand? Mainly for job searching or advancing your career. The job market is rough and competitive, and a personal brand establishes who you are and what you can offer that no one else can in a short amount of time. It helps you stand out from the crowd and move forward to becoming an industry thought leader to meet your career goals.
Consider What Makes You You
What’s uniquely you? What sets you apart from everyone else? Ask yourself, your friends, your family, anyone who knows you best. To stand out from the competition in the job market, you’ll need to be prepared to answer the question, “why you?” What can you bring to the table that no one else can? And most importantly, what is one thing that is so you? What is something, that when people see it, they immediately think of you? That’s an important element to developing your personal brand.
Make a List of Your Accomplishments
What you’re good at is a vital element to your personal brand, especially on the job hunt. Consider your strengths and your accomplishments. There may be something you’re great at, that a company needs, that no one else can provide or they can provide that quality/method/approach just not as well as you do. Wow prospective employers with a list of your greatest accomplishments and promote them as much as possible while still showing humility (the humble-brag). That special thing you bring to the team lies within the pattern of your list of accomplishments.
Use Social Media
Promote your personal brand and use social media to cement this idea of who you are in everyone’s minds. Update your profile and ensure all the information, photos, and videos appropriately represent you and your brand. Post content that is aligned with your expertise and desired industry, further expanding on your brand. Your interests outside work can play a vital role in building your personal brand as well. Follow, retweet, and communicate with individuals or businesses that complement your brand.
Keep Your Eye on Your Goals
Building a brand is a lot like building a character. Characters – and people – are driven by desires and goals. Your goals dictate what you really want, and that motivation is key to personal branding. Make a list of your short-term and long-term goals and any obstacles or challenges that may get in the way of achieving them. Also, consider what you may need to reach these goals. Do you need special certification? Do you need to take an online course to gain the education required? Is there a day-long training needed? Discover what equipment or education you’ll need to get you where you want to be. Your goals, and the effort you put in to achieve them, all make up your personal brand. It’s all tied to what you care about, and that is passion is you.
Dress the Part
The clothes make the (wo)man. A personal dress code that matches your brand shows effort and furthers the image you’re advertising. Are you type A, organized, and professional? Are you a little edgy, but fun and personable? Create a standardized look that represents your best qualities. Perception and image mean a lot when job hunting, especially when you have a minimal amount of time to make an impression. Show the world who you are with just one look.
Be Authentic
Your brand should be you. People want to know you. A personal brand is really just a way to let people know who you are, the genuine you, while putting in as little effort to get to know you as possible. People, especially employers, are busy and don’t have the time to hear your life story. If they can get to know you quickly and decide you’re the right fit for the team, that’s the most ideal. A personal brand tells them all they need to know quickly and efficiently.
Good luck developing your brand! Building your brand will help you land the job you want and could also help you in self-reflection and personal growth. For more tips to help you with your job search, keep following our blog.
Complementary Articles:
How to Build Your Personal Brand via Public Relations
Podcasting Strategies for Quarantine Life and Beyond
How to Become an Industry Influencer
