As a newcomer to an organization, there are always obstacles to hurdle; learning names, where to put out-going mail, possibly even how many creamers the boss likes in their coffee. As time passes you learn names and develop your skills. The real key to your success, though, is distinguishing yourself from everyone else. 5 Ways to Establish Your Personal Brand at a New Company
1. Know Your Personal Brand
Establishing a professional reputation with your new colleagues is vital to success within your new organization. Unfortunately, I’ve seen new employees not establish their personal brand early, or even know what their brand is. If you have landed the job, someone believes you add value to the company, so understand which strengths will help you succeed. Identify and develop them then use them effectively every day.
2. Start Early (literally)
One of the most important things you can do at a new company is to be punctual (Remember: 10 minutes early is on-time). This demonstrates to your new colleagues that you are eager to learn your new position and anxious to begin contributing to the team. When you finally secure your first project….blow ‘em away. Making a great first impression will set the bar higher for you and sets forth a challenge for you to continue to perform at a high level. Who doesn’t want “high level performer” associated with their personal brand?
3. Find a Mentor
As you begin to meet everyone, foster a relationship with each person in a unique way. As you identify each person’s potential to aid in your development, establish a mentoring relationship with them. Branch out and develop relationships in all departments and all levels of the organization. This will broaden your knowledge and reach within the organization. Remember that these mentors talk to fellow colleagues throughout the day; establish a positive personal brand with them and they become your personal P.R. platform.
4. Be Visible (In a positive way)
You have a personal brand whether you want to or not. is a perfect example. Jon established himself as the quiet, supporting father of 8 children who endured criticism from his wife, Kate, with nothing more than a facial expression. After the divorce, Jon’s party-boy publicity completely changed the public’s perception of the entire situation; as well as TLC who has now confirmed the show will be entitled “Kate Plus Eight”. Publicity is great for your personal brand as long as it is positive. The more people that know your brand, the more likely opportunities will open up for you. Be sure to always be caught doing something good: Replace paper in the copier, offer to run errands and make the coffee if need be. Small things go a long way!
5. Keep Your Network Informed
When you first join an organization, meet with your boss and mentors often to further build rapport. Even if you are not succeeding at first, your eagerness to succeed will become apparent the more you share your thoughts with these individuals. When they see that you are eager to learn and succeed, you will get more of their attention (This is a good thing!).
The mistake that so many new employees make is that they work hard in the first week to show their new colleagues and bosses that they are a special employee but do not continue it in the second week. The difference between merely a first impression and you personal brand is consistency. Go strong everyday!
Author:
Tyler J. Durbin is a recent graduate of the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. In 4 years at Miami, he traveled to the Far East, Central America and throughout the United States. The result: Meeting, engaging with and learning from some of the most intelligent and emerging young people throughout the world. The first job of his career was with Valpak Direct Marketing Services. Every day, he works with the people on “Main Street” and does whatever he can to help them succeed by connecting their message with their consumers. Visit his blog at Gen-Y Journey.
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So very true. Being quiet doesn’t keep you unnoticed. No matter how you act or perform in the workplace, your colleagues will notice and take note. Make sure not to be the silent worker (nor the obnoxious worker), but show your coworkers a resilient and effective worker. Be reliable and approachable when needed. Simple things like this go a long way in improving your personal brand and image.
I like the summary statement. We should be consistent every day.
Good Job Tyler!
Tyler -
Great post. As opposed to building a personal brand in the crowded blogosphere or twitterverse, when you join a new company, you have the unique privilege of having a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE. Unless you hired into the company with hundreds of others, you are “the New Guy (or Gal)”. EVERYONE will be trying to figure out who you are and what you are all about. Absent a New Manager Assimilation or other formal tool, the way you present yourself and the way you act to back up the presentation will shape their image of your brand. In most cases you are starting from a clean sheet of paper. Make your brand genuine and memorable, and back it up consistently on a daily basis with your performance.
Great advice for new hires at all levels.
[...] Building Your Personal Brand with a New Company: “ [...]
Nice post Tyler!
A good statement about confidence and authentic action.
Thank you for sharing this post.
A great article.
I think this is a slow process. One must observe first and understand the ethos within the organization before he takes action on building his personal brand.
Thanks for the comments. I’m learning these things and more each day as I have recently joined a new company and starting to network through my company and new city.
You’re personal brand is everywhere…I’ve had several instances where I have met someone at a networking event or speaker series that when I introduced myself, they already know my name or face from my twitter, blog, linkedin, etc. What does this all mean? You have a personal brand whether you like it or not and people are aware of you and observing your brand at all times (even if you don’t know who they are…..yet!).
Good post – Thanks.
But do remember one thing: It takes time to build your own brand – it is not done within 24 hours. And even if you have landed the new job you have to continue to build your brand outside the new organisation.
I have been working on http://www.torbenrick.eu for a long time. But I am still not there – but getting closer
[...] hear how I have been successful in promoting my brand, visit the rest of the story HERE. Related [...]