In a ridiculous alcohol laced conversation with a close buddy, I was appalled to learn about my “personal brand (or lack thereof).”
I had confidently stated, that if I were a brand like the ones we ogle at in stores, then I would most certainly be a high value, deeply coveted luxury brand a la Louis Vuitton or a Gucci.
My pal (who has since been discarded) said “Nope! You are more like an H&M. easy, reliable, but a little low on the value chain.”
So, how does one up one’s brand? And how does one market oneself as a high value brand, to be procured and paraded in the workplace?
Check out these ideas by careermag. com.
Increase Your Visibility
The first step towards building your personal brand is to get your name out there. The best way to establish a presence in your field is by attending industry meetings and conferences, participating in panel discussions or volunteering for committees. You never know when your contacts will be able to help you along your job search.
Stay Connected
It is important to stay in touch with old contacts as well as continue to build and maintain your current network on a regular basis. Don’t be someone who reaches out to contacts only when they need something. Foster those relationships, especially the important ones!
Create an Online Presence
Take professional networking to the next level by joining online social networking sites. Consider starting a blog on your area of expertise or creating a website that showcases samples of your work. Make an effort to meet other professionals online by commenting on relevant blogs or connecting with professionals through their social networking profile.
Consider creating an online career portfolio and remember to manage your online reputation to ensure you are always presenting yourself in a positive, professional manner when interacting online.
Establish Key Differentiators
Identify what makes you distinctive from other candidates and make sure to communicate it to potential employers. It is important to be honest about who you are as a professional and understand your strengths and unique value you bring to the table. It’s also important to recognize your weaknesses and develop a plan for personal improvement. By knowing yourself, you can more effectively promote yourself to others.
Be Consistent
Ensure that you have a consistent message when speaking with potential employers, colleagues and other professionals. While you may not realize it, everything that you do or say contributes to your personal brand, including the way you conduct yourself in meetings, in phone conversations, through email communications and how you dress.
Seek Feedback and Evaluate Progress
Once you have established your personal brand, it is important to continue to gauge how others perceive you. Test your market value by gathering constructive feedback from your co-workers, peers, family and friends. By understanding how others view your personal brand, you can learn what steps you need to take to position yourself for success.
Market Yourself
Developing your personal brand is one of the first steps towards effectively marketing yourself to potential employers and elevating your career. Employers appreciate job seekers that take the initiative to get noticed and differentiate themselves from other candidates in their industry.
There! Go forth, my friends – upgrade, upgrade, upgrade! Don’t fly cattle class anymore- the business lounge awaits you.
