What do you do if you want to improve your personal brand as an intern?

Setting goals is the first and foremost actionable step for anyone who wishes to build their personal brand. When an intern wishes to build his/her personal brand, specifically when they're just starting their careers, it's always advisable to have specific and measurable goals. By setting goals for different stages, they're not just showcasing their seriousness but also their credibility ultimately helping the others (the employers) to get a better sense of their existence thus building their personal brands. It becomes quite necessary for an intern especially to build Personal brands at the start of their careers which can happen through taking the first step by setting goals

Contrary to popular belief, especially held by interns and those early in your career, you do NOT need decades of experience to build your personal brand and craft a clear message. Personal branding is about strategic storytelling. In the simplest terms, you need to connect the dots of where you've been to validate what you want to do and where you want to go. For example, I graduated from college with a gender studies degree... and I was not looking for gender studies jobs. I told the story—starting my college career pursuing a medical degree taught me how the world is, and gender studies taught me how to question the world, which gave me a unique perspective of dreaming while staying grounded in reality. Tell YOUR story.

Anticipate... don't wait for someone to ask for feedback. Your personal brand is also the feeling you give people when dealing with them. Make people feel supported.

As an intern, it's important to create a good impression. Be reliable by showing up on time and doing your work well. On social media, be yourself and share positive things. Also, dress neatly and respectfully at work. These things help people see you as dependable and authentic.

Lo primero que diría es: no intentes aparentar algo que no eres. No estoy de acuerdo con el famoso enfoque "fake it till you make it". Todo lo contrario, documenta el punto de tu carrera y tu vida en el que estás ahora. - habla de la experiencia de ser un becario - comparte tus motivaciones y aspiraciones - habla de tus miedos e inseguridades - comparte lo que estás aprendiendo La fortaleza de tu marca personal se puede basar precisamente en eso, en que eres un becario abriéndose camino y eso es diferente al 99% del contenido que estamos acostumbrados a ver. ?Aprovéchalo!

Crafting your image is not just limited to how you appear on the outside or just by how you dress, it also depends a lot on the way you showcase yourself through your personality. This includes both your soft as well as hard skills Any individual's image is created by their authenticity. The way you wish your colleagues to perceive you depends completely on how you perceive and project yourself. Your verbal as well as non verbal communication, all plays a role in crafting your image. Every action is a stepping stone towards building your personal brand. Thus being mindful of every step one takes is of utmost importance in order to craft a remarkable image

Track. Everything. Everyone you meet, take notes and decide how often you want to follow up with them. Then follow up with them on a regular cadence with value and a smart perspective. When you do ask for something, like their time, be specific in what you're looking for. Make it easy for them to engage with you. And most importantly, think about how you can help them. What goes around comes around, and you'll make it much further with that perspective as opposed to thinking about how they can help you.

Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building relationships that last. Too often, interns focus on the quantity over quality of their connections, reaching out to as many people as possible without fostering meaningful interactions. Remember, a well-connected mentor or colleague who knows your strengths can be more valuable than a hundred superficial contacts. My Advice: Start by connecting with colleagues and industry professionals through LinkedIn. Engage with their content, ask insightful questions, and share your learnings. This approach helped me form genuine connections that have been crucial in my career.

Networking is an art that very few master. Just by exchanging business cards and getting the maximum number of them, doesn't qualify as networking. As interns its best to be participating in every upcoming events of the company. It not just helps you get recognition but also helps an intern to speak and network with higher authorities as well as invited guests which could thus help find better connections for the future. It also helps in expansion of knowledge. Not just limiting it to that, networking events also prove to be an occasion to showcase ones passion and build meaningful relationships. Its said that your network is your net worth but having quality people in your network is what truly builds ones net worth

Create a personal brand. Remain online, speak value, reach iut to people. Build your niche, show your expertise. A great online presence and personal brand can help amplify your job search results.

Your online persona is your global handshake. In today’s digital world, a Google search is the first step someone will take to learn about you. An incomplete LinkedIn profile or a publicly accessible Facebook page with unprofessional content can significantly tarnish your personal brand. My Advice: Curate your LinkedIn profile with professional achievements, projects, and skills. Use platforms like Medium to publish articles related to your field. This strategy not only improved my visibility but also showcased my commitment and expertise to potential mentors and employers.

Feedback is the breakfast of champions, yet many shy away from it. Interns often view feedback as criticism, missing out on the opportunity to grow and improve. Regularly seeking constructive feedback can illuminate areas for development you might have overlooked and reinforce your strengths. My Advice: Approach your supervisor or a trusted colleague for feedback on your performance. Implement this feedback and show your commitment to personal growth. Personally, this practice has been instrumental in refining my skills and boosting my confidence in professional settings.