Personal branding refers to the projection of oneself to others, or in other words, may be referred to as one’s own public persona. A personal brand sets an individual apart from other people who may have the same interests, skills, or qualities as it encompasses one’s stance on particular topics, values and how one may express such.
Building/exhibiting a public persona nowadays can be seen as a necessity, as it makes the job of expanding one’s network and marketing for oneself easier. It includes:
- A showcase of your current disposition.
- A collection of past achievements.
- Future capabilities that you would want possible employers or other potential professional connections to take note of.
So how does one create a personal brand? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you build your own:
1. Tell a consistent story
Figure out who you are and what you want to be known for. Focus on defining your audience and what impression you wish to leave them. When doing so, keep your story genuine and consistent, and your perceived impact positive.
2. Let others know
- Build an Online Public Profile
Grow your online presence (Linkedin, Twitter, Personal website/portfolio) as this will serve as your online business card and window to the job market. Use this to connect with colleagues, employers, and clients. Don’t forget to ask for recommendations from trusted people about your established portfolios!
- Join Conversations in Communities/Forumsline
- Online
Establish your presence in your field and highlight your expertise in the community. This can help you expand your network online, include you in the top-ranked professionals in your field, and make you an ideal candidate. Research your desired industry and follow the experts to learn more about the field and how to do well in it!e
- Offline
Attend networking events — take advantage of such events and hand out business cards while making yourself known. Make sure to live your brand and stay consistent.
- Perfect Your CV
Keep it updated and integrate keywords according to the opportunities you are applying for. It’s not a one-and-done process…so be patient in the constant upkeep and checking in on your resume and CV!
3. Prepare yourself
- Polish your social media profiles
- About 79% of HR professionals have denied candidates based on their social media profiles. With that, it is essential to curate your social media profiles accordingly and maintain consistency over all platforms.
- Align your professional goals while communicating your personality and style.
- Prepare an elevator pitch
- An elevator pitch is a statement that summarizes your professional and personal background short enough for an elevator ride.
- In making one, remember to condense essential components of your personal brand, identify the key professional experiences to communicate about yourself, and connect your personal story to how you fit the role. Lastly, practice speed and annunciation before your remote interview to ensure a smooth delivery of your pitch.
With those tips, remember to have an end goal in mind: may it be progress in enlarging your network, applying for opportunities, or other career-related activities. Also, don’t forget to communicate with people and ask for constructive criticism on how they view you from your constructed personal brand. If you feel like you have not attained your personal brand just yet, don’t worry! Simply by working towards fulfilling these tips, you are #OneStepCloser to attaining your goal.