6 ways to Nail your Personal Brand
Think about the consumer brands that you like and list the top 3-5 words that come to mind to describe them. Then, do the same for you, as if you were a brand being promoted to the hiring committee. What words come to mind? What experiences - professional and personal - best showcase these words? Reflect on these questions and you are on your way to curating your personal brand - a necessity in today’s job market.
All of us have a personal brand, whether we are aware of it or not.
The concept of a personal brand has been around for a while. It has become increasingly important in the age of social media and instant access to unlimited historical information. But from what I have observed, many people do not define themselves holistically.
A personal brand is NOT just a list of talents, unique attributes, or a nice resume.
To take a deep dive into defining your brand, consider these questions:
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What is your “superpower”? What do you do better than anyone else?
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What matters most to you, and why?
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What kind of legacy do you want to leave on your friends, family, co-workers, organization, or community?
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What skills or attributes do people frequently praise you for?
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What adjectives do people consistently use to describe you?
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What energizes or inspires you? What is your “true north”?
Contemplate these points and voila! You’ll have a first draft of your personal brand statement.
Some helpful reminders that I have gathered along the way: Use simple language, not business jargon. Eliminate every unnecessary word and use verbs instead of nouns.
Once you tighten up your brand, share it with an accountability partner or a trusted friend for feedback. Research suggests women tend to be overly humble hoping their actions will speak louder than words. But in the job search arena, it’s important to position yourself with confidence. Once you are comfortable with your statement and feel it conveys what you stand for, customize it with your audience in mind. Let your audience know what unique attributes, experiences or skills you are bringing to the table in terms that are meaningful to them.
Hope this inspires to cultivate your personal brand. Signing off with this evergreen quote by Tom Peters of Fast Company.
All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You
Brainstorm further and learn about ways on how to communicate your personal brand on social media and other avenues on May 31 at Stanford GSB.
About the author- Rochna Pant is the Digital Marketing Manager at Reboot Accel and her value system aligns with missions that contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive ecosystem.