Mission + Habits = Personal Brand

The job search process for many of us is characterized by a web browser with 50 tabs and way too many open word documents with slightly different resumes, all in an attempt to target the Lord knows how many job posts we’re looking to apply to. Throughout my time personally job seeking and helping clients of my own, I’ve learned the importance of having strategic processes to maximize the job search.  One area of the job search that I didn’t spend enough time on early in my career was personal brand.  Networking is arguably the most important part in the job search process for trying to produce results. You know, land interviews, generate leads, get the connections needed to open up doors for your next gig.  But personal brand is an area that I think should get a lot more focus for job seekers because it forces us to have an honest look at ourselves and an honest look at the opportunities that we are in search of.

Your personal brand should be a product of your personal mission.  “Without a vision a man will perish” is one of my favorite proverbs which seems to give me wisdom in so many different areas of my life, including my career. It can seem like an exaggerated statement but way too often we spend so much time and energy defining ourselves rather than reflecting on who we really are. We focus on developing the attributes that lend to success in our careers. More specifically for the companies we work for.  And the challenging part is the question, “what if that success is fleeting or is a moving target?” We know our workforce and organizations are dynamic and constantly changing right? So should our success-driven identity be ever changing? What if the reason you can’t be successful is because of a lack of authenticity, sincerity, consistency, and congruence with your purpose.  

The point I want to make is that your personal brand should be rooted in 2 things, WHO you are & the WORK you do.  Who you are is a keepsake.  There is no one else on the earth or in all of existence that is like you.  That tells us that your personal brand is unique.  It should be different.  Sometimes, it should be so unique and off the wall that it just doesn’t resonate with others.  If that is so, then hey, it’s okay to be you.  On the flip side, your brand reflects the work you do.  The work you do, impacts other people.  The work you do is naturally for the service of other people.  Someone wants or needs the product or service you give.  The work you do should reflect your personal brand in a variety of ways.  From one perspective, what if you work in an organization, or on a team.  Well, your brand is unique but it should also take into account the needs and expectations of others.  

So since your brand is about the work you do, then you have to consider the reputation you build and the impression you make. People see the work you do and the way you do it.  If you are the laid back, go with the flow, lack of attention to detail, then it will show.  If you are the type A, busy body, always on the go, micro-manager, then it will show.  The 2 coaching tips we will give you is this, 1st, work on your self-awareness so you can see and hopefully change your behaviors.  2nd, practice.  There is no replacement for hard work and practice.  

Your impression is also external focused and has a time component to it.  Impressions are quick judgements that we make of new people we meet as well as critical moments of people that we already know. An example would be someone who gives off a sense of confidence during a job interview.  Another example is a director having an emotional outbursts during a team retreat when discussing major organizational changes.  It is still important to be self-aware of your body language, tone, the clarity of your communication, and disposition.  Impression can be subtle but they stick in people’s memory.

When developing your personal brand consider the following:

• What is my purpose or mission?
• What values are my non-negotiables from me living out my mission?
• What are my goals and how do they drive my behavior (short term/long term)
• What reputation do I hope to build?
• What impression do I want to make (short term/long term)?
• What competencies help shape the reputation & impression I want to make?

Visit lenorecoaching.com to access a PLETHORA of free resources including the Personal Brand guide & the FREE Writing a Winning Resume eCourse.  Contact us today at [email protected] or @lenorecoachingllc.