A solid personal brand will very likely assist you in defining and guiding your professional path…but what exactly is a unique brand?
And how do you create such a brand?
What is a personal branding strategy?
Unfortunately, there is no globally accepted definition of a “personal brand,” which is one of the primary reasons developing one might seem like a complex process.
Let’s take a step back for a moment. What exactly is a brand? A brand is a non-generic product name (such as Netflix or Toyota), but it may also refer to the public’s impression of a business, product, or service.
The brand of a corporation is also its reputation.
Similarly, you may think of your brand as how others see you in the corporate sector. It’s not all about what other people think, however. It also comes down to what you say and do.
So, how should you go about establishing your professional brand?
Developing Your Brand
It’s all about displaying the actual, one-of-a-kind value you bring to the table when it comes to developing your brand.
Recognizing your most crucial assets and abilities is the first step in developing your brand. Understanding your values, beliefs, personality, and ambitions is also essential. As a professional, you tell a tale that includes these details.
Get a pen and paper and start free-writing if you don’t know where to develop your brand.
Writing things down may help us think more clearly, making it more straightforward to figure out what’s essential.
Advice on Personal Branding
You’re ready to start advertising your brand to others after you have a firm grasp of what you have to offer. Keep that in mind for a continual career boost.
Here are a few straightforward ways to begin:
- Make sure your résumé and LinkedIn profile are up to date.
- Practice talking about yourself, your previous work, and the services you provide.
- Consider putting your work online in a portfolio. In other words, document your own good qualities.
- Request LinkedIn evaluations or testimonials from former colleagues or classmates for your online portfolio.
- Put your head down and come up with a personal brand statement.
Your brand statement should be a one- or two-sentence statement that states:
- The value you bring to the table is one-of-a-kind.
- Who stands to gain from it?
What They Get From It
If this is your first time, don’t stress getting it right.
In other words, write something. Make a lot of notes. In other words, make a mental dump. You can always go back and edit, remove and modify it.
Try one of these templates if you’re having problems coming up with the correct words:
- Through [your particular skill set, education, history, etc.], I assist [someone] in obtaining [what they want].
- I am a [adjective] [your career] with [your unique skill set, education, experience, and so on] who assists [someone] in obtaining [what they want].
- “I am a licensed financial planner with ten years of expertise assisting retirees in the Portland region in getting more out of life via smart, strategic investment planning,” says one example.
Remember that you will want your brand statement to come after you wherever you go. Therefore, it’s a win-win gambit.
Placing it at the top of your online portfolio or resume gives you an edge. You can even mention it in an interview, which is one of the best ways to show off your unique brand.
In an interview, how do you brand yourself?
When it comes to personal branding, job interviews may be challenging. You have such a deep and comprehensive narrative to share, but you only have a few seconds to make an impact. You could also feel apprehensive.
A personal brand statement is an excellent place to start. However, to position oneself, you must first understand the company’s objectives and how you might contribute. Spend some time studying the organization before the interview to ensure a favorable outcome.
What You Get From It
Here are some additional pointers:
- Dress appropriately for the occasion and in a manner that reflects your work ethic.
- Shake hands with the interviewer firmly (but not forcefully).
- Be ready to answer questions about your conduct in a behavioral interview.
- However, don’t overdo it.
- Practicing virtual interviews is a fantastic way to do this!
- However, don’t overdo it.
- Prepare to discuss your shortcomings and flaws, as well as how you’re learning and developing.
- Therefore, try it again.
- Don’t say anything unpleasant about someone you’ve previously worked with.
- Remember that you’re there to assess the firm as well.
This information may assist you in being more aggressive and less apprehensive.
After the interview, be prepared to ask your questions. If you’re worried, take calm, deep breaths from your stomach.
Silence isn’t anything to be terrified of. If you’ve answered the question entirely and don’t have anything further to add, avoid the desire to fill in the blanks.
Following the interview, send a thank-you message.
And remember, when you reach the stage of face-to-face interviewing, having passed your remote interview, you’ve practically got the job.
