In today’s world, everyone is a brand. Whether it’s asking for a promotion, applying for a job, or even writing a dating profile, personal branding is an essential aspect of success. A personal brand is the amalgamation of associations, beliefs, feelings, attitudes, and expectations that people hold about you. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure that the narrative created about you is accurate, coherent, compelling, and differentiated.
According to the May-June 2023 Edition of the Harvard Business Review, with cover “Build your personal brand – how to communicate your value to the word”, personal branding is an intentional and strategic practice. It involves defining and expressing your own value proposition. A strong personal brand enhances visibility, expands your network, and attracts new opportunities. Additionally, the process of building a personal brand can help you uncover, celebrate, and share your unique abilities.
To create a personal brand, the first step is to define your purpose by creating a long-term vision and mission for yourself. Identify your “through line” and consistent interests, competencies, or character traits. Then, write a personal value proposition statement targeting a specific group, outlining what you will offer and your distinctive capabilities. This will help you communicate your unique value to the world.
- Next, audit your personal brand by analyzing your current awareness, associations, and meaning. Start by cataloging your credentials and social connections and assess your cultural capital. Create a list of adjectives that capture your unique value proposition. Evaluate whether your self-assessment matches your desired brand identity, and conduct market research by seeking feedback from people you trust.
- Craft your personal narrative by identifying and refining the meaningful stories that communicate your brand. Share illustrative stories about yourself and your experiences instead of simply describing your brand attributes. By conveying your personal value proposition with stories, you make it more memorable, resonant, accessible, and persuasive.
- It’s essential to be intentional with your personal brand. Every social interaction can shape how others perceive you. Use these opportunities to reinforce your desired brand image by being aware of the messages you’re sending. Create a media plan to communicate your brand story through owned, earned, and paid media. Use social media, websites, content, press mentions, recommendations, and paid opportunities to increase your exposure.
- Socialize your brand by identifying gatekeepers, references, coach and mentors who can help enhance your credibility and reach new audiences. Regularly assess and adjust your personal brand to fit your current context. Do an annual audit and gather feedback from others to ensure your image aligns with your goals.
A candidate page is an opportunity for job seekers to showcase their professional qualifications and experience, and it can be the first point of contact between a job seeker and a potential employer. In fact, according to research, 82% of recruitment teams say that a strong personal brand is a key factor in their hiring decision. This means that a well-filled and detailed candidate page on a job portal can make a significant impact on your job search.
- To ensure your candidate page is effective, it should include your demographics, qualifications, and experience. Your name, photo, location, and contact information should be prominently displayed, as recruiters want to know who they are talking to. A professional photo can make a positive first impression and show that you take your job search seriously.
- Your qualifications, such as education, certifications, and skills, should also be included on your candidate page. This information can help you stand out from other candidates who may not have these qualifications. Additionally, your experience, including work history, projects, and achievements, should be showcased. This information can demonstrate your skills and experience, proving you have what it takes to succeed in the role.
Another aspect to consider when building your candidate page is to showcase this personal brand. Your personal brand should be consistent across all platforms, including your candidate page. Use the same language and tone as in your personal value proposition statement and highlight your unique value proposition. Additionally, you can include a short bio or mission statement that showcases your purpose and passion.
Finally, make sure your candidate page is user-friendly and visually appealing. Use a clean and professional design, and organize your information in a way that’s easy to read and navigate. Avoid clutter and unnecessary information that can distract from your key qualifications and experience.
