Creating a unique professional identity is important regardless of the industry you are going into. Whether you are an industrial worker, an office clerk, a top level executive, or looking to start your own business, everyone wants to stand apart from the countless other workers in their field. The best way to do this is to create and nurture your own personal brand. Treat your professional identity as a product that you’re trying to sell to companies. You want to create a positive and original image of yourself and the work you do; and below we have a few tips on how you can get started.
Understand And Communicate Your Value
First things first, no one will be interested in your personal brand if they don’t know what value that brand has. Businesses want to know what you can bring to the table and what expertise you have that will benefit their company. Work on identifying tasks and processes you perform well; and be specific. If you don’t know exactly what it is that you want to be doing, how will a recruiter know? Once you’ve identified your strongest abilities, develop a way to effectively communicate them. Consider utilizing social media platforms, specifically LinkedIn, or try attending any local job fairs or networking events to spread the word. Any avenue that you can find to get your name out in professional circles should be explored.
Connect With Others In Your Industry
Speaking of, one of the best ways to communicate your personal brand is through networking: connecting with people within your industry. Word of mouth is still a powerful means of communicating value, and in our digital era, that word of mouth can easily spread to a massive audience online. Think about how many review sites exist that allow people to post their opinion on different businesses; the same goes for professionals, and you want to make sure that you have a positive presence in your networking channels. Once a connection is made, stay in touch with that individual. Reach out via email, phone call, or consider messaging them through a professional networking site like LinkedIn. Chances are, if they know another professional looking to bring a person with your skill set into their company, they will mention you for the position.
Put Your Work On A Pedestal
So you’ve identified your personal brand’s value and you’ve communicated that value to some new connections, but now its time to deliver on that promise. Talk is cheap; you want to show rather than tell. Find some examples of work you’ve completed that exemplifies your skills and provides a portrait of the quality of work you are capable of delivering. Once you know WHAT you want to share, its time to determine HOW you want to share it. In the professional realm, the best way to do this is to post it online on your LinkedIn account or create a small website that will serve as the center of your professional presence online. While a website might not be necessary for some professionals, it is definitely a way to differentiate your brand and add a unique flair; and its easier than you think!
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( P.S. At this point, if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, ITS TIME TO GET ONE!)
Focus On Authenticity
Remember, this is YOUR personal brand and you want to make sure it is definitively “You”. While its ok to draw inspiration from others in your approach and delivery, you never want to imitate someone else. You should aim to do everything regarding your personal brand in a way that oozes originality. Put a creative spin on your social media platforms, design a custom logo for your website, try out a new resume template; approach every aspect with a creative mindset. You want to establish an authentic presence that is distinctly yours. Build your brand around your strengths, expertise, and the things which make you interesting and unique.
Stay Consistent
Now you’ve got everything set-up, your LinkedIn profile is full of examples of your expertise, you’ve made some new connections, you’ve gotten your name out there, but now what? Having a personal brand should not be approached with a one-and-done attitude, its something that takes work and needs to be maintained. Its an active part of your professional identity and should be updated with any developments you make in your career, education, or qualifications. Keep your info up to date, stay in touch with your connections, and ALWAYS be networking. You also want to make sure your personal brand also remains consistent in tone and delivery. If you always have a humorous spin to your posts and introductions, keep up with it. By staying constant in tone, you appear more streamlined and organized. Once you’ve established your personal brand, nurture and maintain it, and there’s no limit as to how much it can benefit you professionally.