Have you ever met someone who was unforgettable? Maybe a classmate who has a cool niche style, or a coworker who is kind and compassionate. Those are examples of people who have a personal brand. Everyone has a personal brand, even you. It’s something you don’t think about, but exists and influences your career. What you wear, how you treat others, and your personal niche shapes the way people perceive you. Building a personal brand can leave a lasting impression in your career!
What is a Personal Brand?
A Personal Brand is an intentional and calculated plan that defines someone’s value, goals, and expertise. Your unique attributes distinguish you from other candidates. Think about all of your favorite brands, what makes them special to you? When you are buying a new phone, how do you decide which brand is best for you? Does the value of the brand align with your values? How you perceive your favorite brand is similar to how employers and others connect with your personal brand.
Why is Personal Branding important for your career?
Your personal brand helps you in many ways such as:
- Job opportunities: Attracting employers whose mission aligns with your skills, attitude, and expertise.
- Networking: You get to connect with others who have similar interests and goals.
- Highlighting your strengths and standing out among other candidates
- Change in career paths: Revamping your professional portfolio and resume to fit the career change you’re making.
Tips on Brand Storming (building a personal brand)
- What are your values?
Determine what you value most in a career. Is it a community? Authenticity? Creativity? Establishing your career values can deepen the understanding of what job positions are right for you. If you’re job searching, it’s important to connect with companies that align with your values and goals as well. Stand on your values and be consistent with what matters most to you! If you’re lost on where to start, use the PathwayU assessment to determine your values, interest, and career preferences.
2. Where do you excel in?
Highlight your strengths! What experience, skills, and credentials do you have that makes you stand out among other candidates? Not only does understanding your strengths help you discover your purpose, but it also identifies any weakness that needs improvement. Internships, volunteer, community work, part-time/full-time jobs, educational organizations, and accomplishments are experiences that can highlight your skills and strengths. When you find your skills and strength, determine how you are going to use it to help others.
From my personal experience, I had academic struggles as a first generation student, which deepen my understanding that other students like myself may need help or resources. My understanding of first generation struggles has influenced me to take on leadership roles such as being a member on the Committee on Students at my university to promote nursing student success. These experiences has helped me connect with employers who are interested in my skills and strength!
3. What do you want to be known for?
Like many popular brands, you want to be known for something unique and distinctive. Use your skills and strengths as leverage for what you want to be known for. Is there something in particular you’re skilled in? If so, highlight that skill and use it to help others! Things like your personality, attitude, skills, and personal style are all unique attributes that make you stand out in professional settings.
You may already be known for something! The way you treat others and present yourself during group projects, an interview, and at work influences your personal brand. Being known for something will align you with others who are interested in your expertise. It can improve your networking for the career you’re interested in.
4. What audience are you trying to reach?
LinkedIn is a great tool for helping you reach a target audience. It’s a space where employers and companies connect with your goals and interests. It’s important to have an idea of who you want to collaborate with and influence. What message or mission do you have and who is it for? Social media is another way to reach an audience for your career. Create a profile with your mission and goals! Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags to attract your target audience.
Having an idea of who you’re trying to reach is an important step for networking. Many individuals have unique goals and values, as to why professional skills and experiences are displayed differently. Individuals who are interested in nursing career paths, will want to present their experiences and skills through social media or linkedIn. Often creating educational videos or posting about a success story in a clinical setting. Meanwhile, a marketing designer should focus on creating a portfolio or website that showcases their design abilities, values, goals, and interests.
5. Be authentic!
In order to be consistent with your personal brand, you have to stay true to yourself. You’re not creating a fake facade, you’re highlighting your experiences and strength to create a lasting impression with those who align with your values. Stay authentic with your values and goals!
Conclusion
Why is a personal brand so important for your career? Creating a personal brand can help you network and build connections fit for your career path! Your personal brand is a tool used to highlight your goals and values. When you implement action on these goals and values, it impacts how people remember you in your absence. Not only is a personal brand used for your values, but occurs in your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and social media as well. Your personal brand already exists. It exists in the accomplishments you’ve had, group projects you’ve been in, past interviews, and among your co-workers.
Your personal brand can be your personality, style, or skills. Experiences such as internships, academic achievements, part-time or full time jobs, and volunteering are great for highlighting strengths and skills. It’s important to find what attributes make you unique among other candidates!
