Establishing a strong personal brand can be your secret weapon in the corporate world and gives you an advantage when you are looking for a job. Your personal brand is the unique combination of your skills, values, experiences, and personality that sets you apart from other candidates. It is about highlighting what defines who you are and what you will bring to the table.
Your personal brand sets you apart from the crowd. It is the reason employers will remember you, clients will choose you, and colleagues will want to work with you. It’s your competitive advantage. Today, we are breaking down four key elements of your personal brand and how you can optimize them to help market yourself professionally.
1. Resume
Your resume will be the cornerstone of your personal brand. It should be a well-crafted document highlighting your skills, education, certifications, acknowledgements, and community involvement. Ensure that your resume aligns with your personal brand by being authentic and truthful to you, while also customizing your resume for specific companies and positions as needed. To dive deeper into crafting an irresistible resume, check out our blog.
2. Online presence – LinkedIn
Your online presence takes many different forms. It reflects your personal life, as well as your professional life. These two will often blend online, but it’s important to be strategic about your professional presence online, to capture the attention of hiring managers and key individuals within your network.
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for your professional online presence. LinkedIn’s main goal is to get you connected with other people in your preferred field. Less than 40% of LinkedIn’s traffic is from job seeking, emphasizing the importance of using the platform to reach out and make an impression on potential employers rather than solely looking for job opportunities. By establishing connections over time, being visible on the platform, and adding value strategically, when the time comes to apply for a job, you will have a built-in network to start your outreach with.
We’d encourage you to periodically evaluate your LinkedIn to ensure it is updated and ready for someone to look at. Here are the basics of setup and recommendations for content.
3. In-Person Interactions
There are two primary instances where you will have the chance to sell your personal brand in person: networking events and interviews. Networking is more than just a chance to hand out business cards – it is an opportunity to present your personal brand and connect with other professionals. These events are designed to help you show who you authentically are, not just a name and some achievements on a piece of paper. Networking events are your chance to showcase your personal brand in many ways – whether that be what you wear, how you introduce yourself, or topics you discuss. These events are less formal than an interview and provide opportunities to talk about your hobbies, your interests, and things that motivate you. Networking events are where you want to establish an initial relationship with a possible employer and connect with them on a more personal level.
An interview is your second opportunity to present and sell your personal brand. This is where you have the opportunity to let the interviewer know what motivates you in your career, who you are professionally, and why you would be a fit for their team. Be sure to carry the authenticity you established when networking through to your interview. This will drive your personal brand home and convey that you are who you claim to be. Additionally, prepare for your interview by doing some preliminary research about the company you are interested in. For example, understand their company values and what drives them as a team, enabling you to make a personal connection to them and speak to them during your interview. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about company culture, organizational structure, and benefits. You want to make sure that this role will be mutually beneficial and that the opportunity will elevate your career and long-term success. This preparation demonstrates a level of respect for their time and a genuine desire to work for their company.
4. References
References are another piece of the personal brand puzzle. Most people can pull together a resume, and polish up their LinkedIn, but having real people who will attest to your character and work ethic will help you stand out from the competition. References should be attained in a four-step process: choose your references, reach out to them personally, keep them updated on the process, and express your gratitude. These references are a testament to your personal brand and can demonstrate how you live out what you claim to value.
Maintaining a strong personal brand helps you as well with “unofficial” references, or ones that you have not specifically requested. When you are being evaluated by an employer, they may see if they have mutual connections on LinkedIn, for example. If they reach out to that connection, that person may share their experience with you, so make sure you are presenting yourself well in all your professional interactions.
Your personal brand is an important tool in your professional journey. If optimized, it can help you grow your career and set you on a path to success. If you are looking for more guidance or resources, contact us today.
