An article by Harvard Business Review states, “In high-performing organizations, at certain levels, everyone is exceptional. To clearly differentiate your value and what you bring to the table, you need to do more than have a good reputation. You need to have an outstanding personal brand.” This statement follows the author’s review of his friend’s recently denied promotion, where, though his friend was known by everyone in his office, no one “knew” him. This is why personal branding is important, yet highly overlooked. In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd, and with that, it is crucial to build your brand. In short, your brand will represent exactly what you stand for in the workforce, or how you want people to perceive you, and can be related to that of an elevator pitch, where you sell brand “You” to a potential client, employer, or industry peer.
What Is A Personal Brand?
As a Job-Seeker, your brand is just as important as your resume. In order to stand out in the highly competitive job market of today, it is crucial that you curate your own personal brand, since in almost any interview you are evidently selling why an employer should chose you out of possibly hundreds of other applicants. By understanding your personal brand and how to communicate it effectively, you can build a reputation that aligns with your career goals and helps you land your dream job. Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to make a career change, it’s crucial to invest time and effort into developing your personal brand and making it work for you.
Why Build Your Personal Brand?
Building your personal brand can have many benefits for your career. Here are just a few:
- Differentiation: In a crowded job market, having a strong personal brand can help you stand out from the competition. By highlighting your unique skills, experience, and personality, you can show employers why you are best fit for the role.
- Credibility: A well-crafted personal brand can establish you as an expert in your field. By sharing your knowledge and expertise through blog posts, social media, and other channels, you can build credibility and establish yourself as a thought leader.
- Networking: Building a strong personal brand can also help you expand your professional network. By sharing your work and engaging with others in your field, you can connect with like-minded professionals and build relationships that may lead to new opportunities.
- Career Advancement: A strong personal brand can also open doors to new career opportunities. By building a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable professional, you may be approached for new job openings or offered promotions within your current company.
How Can You Build Your Brand?
Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Define Your Brand
Before you start building your brand, you need to define what you want to be known for. Consider your skills, strengths, and values, and think of the best way to cater towards your audience.
Develop a Content Strategy
Developing a coherent plan for sharing your expertise and showcasing your unique qualities is an essential element in building a strong personal brand. This means planning out the type of content you want to create and how often you want to share it. Your content strategy should align with your overall personal brand and goals. Consider the following when developing your content strategy:
- Identify your target audience: Who do you want to reach with your content? What are their interests and needs?
- Determine your content format: Will you be writing blog posts, creating videos, or sharing social media updates? What format resonates with your target audience?
- Plan your content calendar: How often will you create and share content? What topics will you cover? Make sure to schedule time in your calendar to create and share content on a consistent basis.
Develop Your Voice
Once you’ve defined your brand, it’s time to develop your voice. Your voice is the way you communicate your brand to the world. It should be authentic and consistent across all channels, whether you’re posting on social media, writing blog posts, or giving presentations.
Build Your Online Presence
In today’s digital age, building an online presence is not only crucial for building your personal brand, it’s also insanely easy. Start by creating a professional website or blog that showcases your work and expertise, contributing to industry publications when possible.
Leverage Your Network
Building a personal brand doesn’t stop at content creation and online presence. It also relies heavily on your network, so that you can build relationships, expand your reach, and solidify your spot in the job market. Here are some ways to leverage your network:
Connect With Others on Social Media
Use LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media platforms to connect with like-minded professionals and industry experts. Share their content, engage with their posts, and build relationships. When connecting with someone on LinkedIn, it’s important to craft a message that is personalized, professional, and engaging. Here are some examples:
- For a former colleague or classmate: “Hi [Name], It’s great to reconnect with you on LinkedIn! I enjoyed working/studying with you in the past and look forward to staying in touch. Best regards, [Your Name].”
- For a recruiter or hiring manager: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was impressed by your company’s mission and culture. I’m interested in exploring potential job opportunities and would love to connect with you to learn more about the organization. Best regards, [Your Name].”
- For a thought leader or influencer in your field: “Hi [Name], I’m a big fan of your work and insights on [specific topic]. Your expertise has been a source of inspiration for me in my own career. I would be honored to connect with you and learn more about your perspective on the industry. Best regards, [Your Name].”
- For a mutual connection or industry peer: “Hi [Name], I noticed that we have some mutual connections and share a similar background in [specific industry or profession]. I would love to connect with you to discuss industry trends and potential collaboration opportunities. Best regards, [Your Name].”
Attend Industry Events
Attend conferences, trade shows, and other events to meet new people and expand your network. Make sure to have a clear elevator pitch and business cards on hand to make a memorable impression.
Collaborate With Others
Consider collaborating with other professionals in your field on projects or content. This can help you reach a wider audience and build relationships with other thought leaders.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd, and building a personal brand is a perfect way to do so. A personal brand represents what you stand for in the workforce and is similar to an elevator pitch where you sell yourself to a potential client, employer, or industry peer. Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. The different benefits of having a personal brand include differentiation, credibility, networking, and career advancement. To build a personal brand, one needs to define their brand, develop a content strategy, develop their voice, build an online presence, and leverage their network. Overall, investing time and effort in developing your personal brand and making it work for you can help you stand out and land your dream job.
Written by
Wesley Stevenson
Marketing Contributor
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