I believe that company branding is the most important element today when it comes to success in attracting potential and returning customers. Nowadays, it is not only companies that need to ensure they are differentiating themselves through their branding however.
It is people too.
Personal branding is the art of promoting oneself and one, core skill to sell yourself in life and in work. It is the tool that distinguishes you from others and ensures you are memorable against others like you who are competing for the same jobs. It seems everyone has a degree these days, and is seeking more and more Certifications, Awards or listing new and exciting experiences. Therefore, it is getting harder and harder to make recruiters see the difference between hiring you over someone else. That’s when your Personal Brand comes in to help you demonstrate your reputation and what level of expertise you bring to the table.
Here are the three main reasons why having a Personal Brand helps you to be more competitive.
1 – Distinguish Your Area of Expertise
When building a personal brand, you need to decide what area of expertise you want to be recognised for.Ask yourself, “What can I offer that will help a company make money or save money?”. For example, if you have studied “Marketing” and you claim that you are an expert in Marketing you are being very general. Instead, highlight what area of marketing have you mastered throughout your experiences such as Market Research, Social Media Management, Content writing etc. Focus on things that bring an ROI or “Return On Investment” such as, the percentage open rates increased by when you started writing email headers for a clients’ email marketing.
2 – Leaving a Digital Footprint
“How do I make them see my full potential?”
The lines between our personal and work lives are becoming increasingly blurred, so some advice I give to job seekers is to publish work related achievements or events on their social media profiles, especially if they are related to their niche specialisation. This way you are building an online portfolio of “what you want to be known for” in the eyes of your friends, contacts and prospect employers. Promoting yourself through things that you’ve done helps employers see the value you bring. Moreover, it shows that you are passionate about your niche inside and outside of work and proud of your results. These qualities are incredibly appealing in the eyes of a potential employer and will mark you out as a candidate who they just can’t let slip away!
3 – Build Trust and Credibility
Trust is so important when it comes to anything in life. You just don’t do business with someone that you don’t trust. Naturally, it is easier for a company to hire someone who has gained their trust. Being open with your personal and professional development allows others to trust that you’re the person you claim to be. Being discoverable under the social media spotlight not only builds a credible brand but also earns trust. Personal branding doesn’t only apply to moving to a new job, but also moving up within the company as well. Gaining respect and appreciation of your talents builds confidence in your abilities. In an era of “likes, shares and comments”, if these talents are recognised and endorsed by others too, people who don’t know you so well are going to feel more confident you are as great as you say you are. Everyone will see how capable you are and know you are someone that can be relied on and can get the job done. Check out my latest video for some tips and tricks on how to showcase your skills by using your Personal Brand.
This blogpost originally appeared at https://careerists.com.au/
