Introducing my career branding framework that delves and discovers hidden assets and offerings.

I've recently refined my career branding framework, strengthening its ability to dig deep and discover an individualised career brand strategy that leaves each professional feeling more attuned and empowered. It's a framework that investigates (and interrogates) past and present as well as internal and external elements, to define a career brand that stimulates new pathways and opportunities. It will also help to ensure that you cut through, stand out and activate interest in highly competitive, information-overloaded professional contexts.

Two of my most recent career branding strategy clients, both well-established within their respective careers, enjoyed the personalised deep dive we undertook to help them identify their optimal career brand. One of them was a long-term paralegal, who had been feeling a bit stagnant in her career despite its financial security. She had a lack of sense of direction in terms of future career options, after being in the same job and industry for such a long time. Through our career branding strategy session (and the subsequent briefing that I provided), she felt a clearer understanding of her professional strengths and offerings and how these could be applied to potentially move into an alternative more-fulfilling career.

For someone who struggles with self-appraisal and talking about my experiences, skills and career highlights, the career branding strategy document is incredibly helpful and insightful. In particular, the action plan at the end of the document is a great tool for moving forward with the next phase of my career. (Kim Andrews, Paralegal)

The other client is a highly-experienced HSEQ leader who hadn't really considered other pathways that she could use to extend herself professionally, without having to change positions. We deepened her inner appreciation of her unique and stand-out professional capabilities. which could be applied to benefit the broader domain she works in. We also produced a career story that highlights the value-add direct experiences from earlier roles.

The Career Branding MATTER Framework focuses on the following seven elements, to ensure a comprehensive investigative approach:

1. Main capabilities
2. Ambitions and desires
3. Tingles and ethics
4. Top-of-mind talents
5. Embracing the context
6. Relatable and realistic
7. Still learning and adapting

It will not only leave you feeling more informed and energised in terms of professional promotions and interactions, but will also help to convince target audiences that you're a genuine contender. That you're a professional who takes themselves seriously, without losing sight of their values, influencers and other career brand elements that convey relatability and authenticity. The latter is becoming even more essential now we're competing with AI across so many professional channels and contexts, but think that topic deserves its own newsletter!