Today’s job market is highly competitive. In order to advance your career in the direction you want,you need a strong personal brand. This is essentially the image and reputation that others perceive about you. It can make a difference in the kinds of offers and opportunities you get.
To help you in the process,here are some tips for building a successful brand:
Think about what you want it to communicate.
This depends on you,as well as the work you do and the industry you’re in. Generally,identify what values,attitudes,habits,and hard skills define who you are as a professional and what you can do for a potential employer. If you don’t have a clear understanding of the value you bring to the table,you’re not going to be able to communicate your brand to others.
Create an online presence.
Once you have a clearly defined brand,use online platforms to broadcast it. LinkedIn is obviously one site to use. Others include those in your specific industry. You can even create a personal website with information about you,including samples of your work. Along the way,engage with others in your industry online,so you can start promoting your brand.
Make your brand memorable.
If your brand is boring,bland,or long-winded,it’s not going to gain much traction. Instead,it should be clear-cut and punchy,like an elevator speech. People who look at your website or see your LinkedIn profile should get what you do and who you are in a few moments. So whether it’s through text or visuals,work samples,videos,or podcasts,make sure you leverage all the tools available to you to make a great impression with your brand.
Become an industry expert.
If you’re an entry-level worker,this might not be attainable. However,if you have years of work experience under your belt,you have knowledge and expertise that’s valuable to someone else. Start to share it,whether online in a blog post,a podcast or video,or whatever way best suits your brand,and begin to build your reputation as an industry expert.
Network and forge relationships.
Ultimately,building a strong brand requires connecting with others in your industry. Do this both online and in person,whether at industry events,conferences,seminars,social media,and through other opportunities.
Be real.
Don’t come across as phony or fake in your brand. Be your true,authentic self and work toward projecting that kind of image in your brand. Don’t try to be something you’re not.
Need help building a brand that lands you a new job?
At Provisional Recruiting,we’re one of Spokane’s top employment agencies and can connect you with rewarding opportunities that help you take that next big step in your career. Search our jobs now to get started by clicking the link below!