Here I am!!Defining your personal brand for career success

Who are you?

This is a question you need to be able to answer because a clear and consistent personal brand is your key to success.

‘The question is no longer IF you have a personal brand, but if you choose to guide and cultivate the brand or to let it be defined on your behalf,’

– Shama Hyder. Source: Forbes.com.

A brand is defined as ‘an image, name or slogan used to identify a place, event, product or organisation, especially in a marketing context,’

– Source: Macquarie Dictionary, 2015.

An example of a successful, international brand is the restaurant chain, McDonalds®. Their ‘golden arches’ are an iconic image associated with the brand, the name is instantly recognised by people both young and old, from all walks of life, all over the world and their slogan, ‘I’m lovin’ it’, is synonymous with both their food and the brand’s identity.

A personal brand is based on the same concepts, but relates to the characteristics of a person.

A recognisable personal brand will open up opportunities.

Creating a vision for your future and implementing that vision in the form of a personal brand can lead to:

» a better job » better contacts and clients for

your company » industry recognition » and much more.

So, what does your personal brand look like?

Start thinking of yourself as a brand.

Decide how you want to be perceived then be strategic about how you portray and achieve your personal brand.

Reflect on your values and prioritise them, identify your passions and decide where you want to go.

When thinking about your personal brand, you should also consider where you see yourself in 10, 20 and even 50 years.

Once you think you have defined your brand, ask yourself:

» Is it authentic? » Is it easy to maintain? » Is it memorable? » Is it unique and will it make you

stand out?

A clear and consistent personal brand is your key to success.

Your personal brand is something that requires a lot of thought and reflection to cultivate.

There are a number of elements you need to consider to make sure your personal brand is authentic and can be consistently maintained.

These elements include your physical appearance, your online presence, your chosen community and your professional persona.

Your physical appearance:Your look is one of the first things that will promote your personal brand to people.

The clothes your wear and the way you style your hair, your jewellery, tattoos and make-up all contribute to your visible personal brand.

Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of Apple Inc. had a very specific and consistent visual clothing style. He understood a clear and consistent personal brand was his key to success.

It is also important to remember your physical appearance is not only viewed when you are actually face-to-face with someone.

Having a professional headshot allows you to continue to control the image you portray.

This headshot should be used for your social media profiles including LinkedIn and Twitter, and for your contributor/author picture on blogs and online contributions.

In these forums your physical image becomes part of your online presence.

Your online presence:Digital platforms are another way your personal brand is viewed so it is important you audit your actions.

Be responsive to what’s being said online and create and control your intellectual property.

Remember your physical, online and professional actions all need to align because a clear and consistent personal brand is your key to success.

Every tweet you send, every status update you make, every picture you share — they all contribute to your personal brand.

Your chosen community:As part of your personal brand you should aim to build a community of people — employers, peers, influencers and mentors, both online and in person, who can contribute to your brand in different ways.

To expand your community contacts, try joining clubs, groups or causes where you will meet like-minded people, or contribute to online forums, newsletters or blogs to reach beyond your local area.

Mentors are also vital, not only to your network, but also to your professional growth and personal brand.

A mentor may have experience in the career path you want to pursue, but don’t choose one purely based on that.

It is equally important to consider the brands and companies you ‘like’ on social media or endorse in conversations.

Your professional persona:When it comes to job interviews and the work environment, remember to stay true to your personal brand.

While it is appropriate to dress up for an interview, don’t wear something you are uncomfortable in or would never wear at the job if you get it.

It will show if you’re uncomfortable, so dress professionally but stay authentic.

When promoting your personal brand remember:

‘A brand is a promise - and you never break a promise,’ – Dan Gregory.

Source: The Gruen Transfer.

Other elements to keep in mind when trying to successfully combine the interview process and your personal brand are:

» Have a professional email address and signature

» Arrive at interviews or meetings with enough time to calm and centre yourself. If you are flustered you will not present your authentic self

» Control your body language — if you don’t normally click a pen nervously, overuse hand gestures or talk really fast, try not to do this in an interview.

» Be prepared for questions like ‘Tell me about yourself’ — this is the perfect opportunity to deliver your prepared Elevator Pitch.

The key to defining your personal brand is to figure out what makes you different. Your unique qualities could be what separates you from other candidates.

Remember, a clear and consistent personal brand is your key to success.

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.1.3 10.2015 images © Shutterstock & USQ Photography

social.usq.edu.au

If you want to discuss your personal brand or need help Understanding your skills, make an appointment with one of USQ’s Career Development Practitioners at Student Services.

Onlineusq.edu.au or visit the CareerHub

On-campusFraser Coast +61 7 4194 3125 frasercoast.studenthub@usq.edu.auIpswich +61 7 3470 4400 studentservicesspringfield@usq.edu.auSpringfield +61 7 3470 4400 studentservicesspringfield@usq.edu.auToowoomba +61 7 4631 2372 stsv@usq.edu.au