Stop and think for a moment. When a potential employer is browsing your resume, what impression are they forming about you? What about in person, in the interview?
We all know first impressions mean a lot and developing your personal brand can help achieve a good, and hopefully lasting, impression. According to Forbes, âYour personal brand is all about who you are and what you want to be known for.â Personal branding is an ongoing process of forming an image about you.
Letâs discover how to develop your brand so that you can be assured what you have to offer shines.
Define who you are and who you want to be.
You know yourself and where you want to end up in life better than anyone. Remember those things during an interview and when you are networking. Let yourself and your passions shine!
What makes you unique?
Leverage your experiences and highlight points that differentiate you from someone else. We all tend to focus on what others are doing around us or what they did before us. Stop. Take the time to figure out what you are good at. Have a firm grasp on what skills you bring to the table and be ready to demonstrate how youâve used those skills previously.
Virtual
Donât forget about how you present yourself digitally. Social media can be a blessing and a curse. It is a great way to network. More employers are beginning to use social media as a means to recruit. Make sure that you are presented in a professional way with an appropriate avatar/profile picture.
Feedback
Request feedback from people you trust. Do you have a mentor or professor that you have a good relationship with? Ask them to define your strengths and weaknesses. This can be overwhelming and eye opening, but will benefit you in the long run. Advice and encouragement from others helps develop your brand.
How are you presenting yourself? What is your brand?
