Alumni Talk Series #2: Preparing & Positioning Yourself for Your Career - Ms. Sephutile Mhlongo

By: Thobile Mandela

Creative Writing Volunteer

On June 19, 2024, the UNESWA Economics Society was privileged to host an alumni talk with Ms. Sephutile Sihle Mhlongo as the honored guest. Ms. Mhlongo, a University of Eswatini (UNESWA) alumna, earned her Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in Economics and Statistics and received a dean's prize. She advanced her education at the University of Stirling, obtaining an MSc in Business and Management. Presently, she is the Co-founder of The Knowledge Institute and is employed in the banking sector. She truly shines!

I once believed that personal branding was only for influencers and aspirants. However, Sephutile's presentation revealed that understanding how to present your value as the premier choice for your current or prospective employer or client can be an extremely effective strategy for career advancement.

POSITIONING YOURSELF

You must be wondering what positioning yourself really is. Well, positioning yourself is about clarifying your professional identity. It involves effectively communicating and showcasing your story, unique skills, experience, and achievements to be able to stand out from the crowd. Sephutile also mentioned the importance of putting yourself out there. She emphasized the importance of bragging about accomplishments in order to sell yourself and navigate the corporate place. Selling herself earned her a lot of job opportunities, such as being a health consultant, research assistant intern, as well as other opportunities. In many ways, you actually become the differentiated value proposition for employees or clients, and thus can lead to increased confidence and better opportunities.

HOW TO POSITION YOURSELF

Ms Mhlongo talked about three ways to do that, namely:

1. One must have a plan: One must know what they want to obtain, what to do to get it as well as other alternatives that might get them there. It is also important to understand yourself and love your journey to effectively achieve your plan.
2. Working on the plan tirelessly: One must use social media wisely and choose the right circle to motivate them or help them achieve their goals.
3. Communicate loudly: One must brag about their accomplishments and sell themselves to navigate the corporate place.

PRACTICALISING POSITIONING YOURSELF

One practical way to do that is to advertise yourself on the internet. Ms Mhlongo also talked about the importance of using social media wisely. She believes that there is nothing as “moving in silence as there are a lot of haters in the room”, says Ms Mhlongo. This phrase made people to have a lot of years of experience without a designation which definitely made them miss the boat on certain opportunities. They focus on the professional certification other than advancing themselves.

One must update their online profile accordingly and both share and provide examples demonstrating the practical experience in related internal discussions; then the value of one’s experience can be recognised. One may quickly progress from a temporary to a permanent contract, receive promotion and eventually become the head of that department within a few years.

Obviously, one must also have to back up the positioning by delivering the expected results in those roles. One has to have the needed qualifications. To put Ms Mhlongo to light, she has a bachelor’s degree in economics as well as a master’s degree in business and management to back up the positioning. By positioning your value, one can demonstrate their ability to contribute to the success of an organisation, team or client. This not only helps you differentiate yourself from others, but also empowers you negotiate better job offers, promotions and salary increase.

OUTCOMES OF GOOD SELF POSITIONING

When you strategically position your value, you become more visible and influential, attracting opportunities that align with your goals and aspirations. It empowers you with unshakable confidence to take control of your career trajectory and opens doors to new possibilities. Ultimately, positioning your value allows you to build a strong personal brand and establish yourself as a valuable asset in your chosen field, leading to long-term career success.

KEY LESSONS?

Identify, Clarify and Highlight Your Unique Value

This could be anything that sets you apart from others; could be skills, experiences, or achievements that make you stand out. One needs to communicate this clearly to your potential employers or clients. This could involve highlighting past projects you have successfully completed, certificates you have obtained, or unique skills you possess. Always demonstrate your ability to add value to success of an organisation, team or client.

Build a Strong Professional Identity

This is your personal brand. This means creating a consistent and compelling image of yourself that aligns with your career goals and aspirations. It should reflect your values, expertise and unique qualities. Communicate this through your online presence, resume, and networking activities. By consistently showcasing your personal brand, you can attract opportunities that align with your goals and aspirations and establish yourself as a valuable asset in your field. It can also increase your confidence in terms of how you show up in interviews and other workplace interactions.

Demonstrate Results and Impact

To effectively position your value, list your achievements and share the impact you have made in your previous roles or projects. Employers and clients are interested in seeing how you have contributed to the success of organisations or teams. Be specific by quantifying your achievements, such as increasing revenue, improving efficiency, or solving complex problems. By showcasing your results and impact, you provide evidence of your value and increase your credibility in the eyes of potential employers or clients.

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