What’s a Personal Brand?
Your personal brand. It’s a 21st century phrase that our parents and grandparents may more commonly refer to as a business card or resume. But in today’s economy and even more competitive job force, how do you stand out in the crowd?
The fact is in today’s job market you have to present your personal brand before the employer even seesyour business card or resume. Your personal brand defines who you are as a young professional and what you stand for as a person.
Your personal brand can be shared in a variety of different ways. Many employers may first look to your social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) to learn a little about you. Your resume, cover letter and business card are also a professional reflection of who you are.
Even the way you dress when you go to an interview or the way you present yourself at a job fair play a role in your personal brand. As I am sure it is becoming more evident, it is important to be consistent with your brand across all of these platforms.
Information is able to be accessed so quickly and easily these days that employers literally judge you within seconds of viewing your online profiles. Think about it – just as you judge a company simply by their logo or 30-second radio spot, an employer is assessing you based on what they see on the surface.
As with most things, there are both benefits and drawbacks to employers being able to access this information so easily. First, seeing your professional and personal profiles instantaneously allows potential employers to get a glimpse of who you are without even meeting you.
Of course, this can go one of two ways. The potential employer may like what he/she sees and call you for an interview. Conversely, the information they see may drive them in the other direction. In either case, it is important to remember to be consistent across all of these platforms.
Keep in mind your personal brand reflects who you are professionally and personally. Be yourself, be consistent and commit to what you stand for.
Comments