The Importance of Personal Branding

In a business context, a brand can be defined as a set of unique attributes that come together to create an image that identifies a product and sets it apart from the competition. In a similar sense, personal branding is about identifying and showcasing your unique skills and attributes to help you stand out from the competition in the job market.

 

“Your brand is what people say about you when you leave the room.”

— Jeff Bezos, founder of retail giant Amazon

The key to successful personal branding is being able to identify your talents and communicate them effectively to the right audience, which is typically your employer or potential employer. Personal branding is highly beneficial in both a personal and professional context. In this blog, I will delve into how to define and showcase your personal brand, to help you stand out from the competition.

How do you define YOUR personal brand?

For employers to buy into it, your brand must be genuine and authentic. Therefore, to define your personal brand, you must take some time to reflect on what makes you your most authentic self. Consider the following:

  • What talents and skills genuinely set me apart from other people? Think beyond the generic “I work well in a team”. For example, your ability to negotiate effectively within a team or your ability to bring out the best in more reserved members of the team.
  • What are my core values? Define your core values and seek out employers whose values are aligned with yours. This will ensure that you are a good cultural fit for their organisation and increase the likelihood that you will work with like-minded people.
  • What goal is driving my behaviour? Take time to reflect on what exactly you are trying to achieve through taking on this role with this organisation. If you can articulate how this job will facilitate the achievement of your ambition, not only will this provide you with a strong sense of purpose, but it will also resonate strongly with your employer.

How to showcase your personal brand

When it comes to your job search, it’s crucial to differentiate yourself from other candidates and I am here to tell you how to do just that!

Shine Bright

Let that beaming personality shine through! We don’t just want to hire your skills, we want to hire you. We want to work with people who enjoy their work, so be one of those superstars. Use your personality as a voice for your brand.

Wear your Personal Brand with Pride

Dress to impress, presenting yourself in a way that clearly communicates the message you want to send about who you are. Your choices must be done within the confines of your industry, but if given the chance, take the opportunity to show a little bit of who you are.

Be Loud and Proud

You can almost be guaranteed that I will ask candidates to “Tell me about yourself”. Grab this with both hands and seize the opportunity to tell us all about YOU. Elaborate on what sets you apart from the rest and what your career goals are.