How to Develop Your Personal Brand
So you're ready to start developing your brand.
Great! But where to start? Since we're focusing on
using a personal brand for your career development
(either in a job search or in your current position),
it makes sense to focus on your experience, right?
Right and wrong. Your past experience has a lot to do with the value you bring an organization, there is no doubt. But does it make you stand out from the crowd? Does it make an employer beg to talk to you, or desperate to keep you? Does it speak to the essence of who you are? For most people, the answer is probably "no."
Your experience is already externally visible. Your current employer knows what you've done and how well, and a prospective employer could get most of that from your resume. What you want to pull out is the unique aspects of that experience. But what else?
Another external aspect to your brand is your image. How do you perceive yourself (a DiSC assessment or other such tools can assist you with an objective summary), and what is your personal style? Also, how do others perceive you? In other words, what are you known for around the office (hint: find something positive)? Are you a go-getter? A workhorse? An out-of-the-box thinker? The go-to-gal? How have others described you? Another great place to mine for your image is in previous performance reviews.
Finally, you need to look inward, as your unique personal brand must let your real self shine through. What are your core values and motivators? Where are you going - your aspirations? While this aspect is less tangible, it is also the key to a memorable and different brand from anyone else out there who does what you do. How does bringing your whole self to the job make you a better candidate or employee than others? With a little introspection, you'll find what really makes you shine.
Put it all together in a succinct statement that captures the essence of who you are and what you bring to the table that no one else can, because there is only one you. That is your personal brand.
Right and wrong. Your past experience has a lot to do with the value you bring an organization, there is no doubt. But does it make you stand out from the crowd? Does it make an employer beg to talk to you, or desperate to keep you? Does it speak to the essence of who you are? For most people, the answer is probably "no."
Your experience is already externally visible. Your current employer knows what you've done and how well, and a prospective employer could get most of that from your resume. What you want to pull out is the unique aspects of that experience. But what else?
Another external aspect to your brand is your image. How do you perceive yourself (a DiSC assessment or other such tools can assist you with an objective summary), and what is your personal style? Also, how do others perceive you? In other words, what are you known for around the office (hint: find something positive)? Are you a go-getter? A workhorse? An out-of-the-box thinker? The go-to-gal? How have others described you? Another great place to mine for your image is in previous performance reviews.
Finally, you need to look inward, as your unique personal brand must let your real self shine through. What are your core values and motivators? Where are you going - your aspirations? While this aspect is less tangible, it is also the key to a memorable and different brand from anyone else out there who does what you do. How does bringing your whole self to the job make you a better candidate or employee than others? With a little introspection, you'll find what really makes you shine.
Put it all together in a succinct statement that captures the essence of who you are and what you bring to the table that no one else can, because there is only one you. That is your personal brand.