Personal Branding: Why It Matters

With the digital age growing more relevant than ever, the term “personal brand” is one you’re likely familiar with. What is a personal brand and what does it mean to cultivate your personal brand strategically?

1.????Your Personal Brand Is the First Impression You Make

Your personal brand is any group of things you perceive to be true about a person, place, or thing. You can think of it as the impression people have of you. Branding is often confused with logos, colors, or slogans, but a brand is encompassed by so much more. Consider your personal brand. When people meet you, what are their impressions? A great way to ascertain your personal brand is by asking those you know to share their first impressions of you.

As you create a digital footprint, remember it is part of your brand as well. Studies have shown up to 67% of job recruiters will check your social media before they meet you in person. Everything from your social media to your resume contributes to your personal brand.

First impressions are vital to forming professional relationships. Consider the first impression you want to give during a job interview or at a networking opportunity. Then, curate your digital footprint and other elements of your personal brand accordingly.

2.????Your Personal Brand Can Communicate Your Values

The values you hold can often efficiently communicate what matters most to you. Employers are looking for more than just another employee—where possible, they want to ensure their money is going places that represent their values. If you communicate your values in your personal brand, you give yourself a hand up in the process of securing your dream job.

Ask yourself what your three most important values are. Then consider whether your actions, digital footprint, and resume reflect those values accurately. If not, begin forming a strategic plan so you can ensure you accomplish this.

One bonus of sharing your values through your personal brand is knowing those who aren’t the best fit for your life will automatically weed themselves out. For example, if you value integrity and make it clear in everything you do, those who do not value integrity will likely not stick around. By communicating your values, you’ll attract relationships with those who appreciate similar qualities.

3.????Your Personal Brand Establishes You as an Asset

If you can curate your personal brand to efficiently show your skill and expertise, you’ll find yourself at an advantage. A great way to do this is by reworking your resume and cover letters as you apply for jobs. Consider whether the language on your resume is powerful enough to express what you bring to a position. Additionally, you can cultivate your personal brand by practicing interview questions and honing your interpersonal skills to help you make a good impression. If you have an online portfolio of your work, review it to ensure it’s well put together and easy to navigate.

How will you use these tips to curate your personal brand and strategize your connections with new people? If you’re eager to get started, we recommend checking out this guide. It features a more in-depth discussion about how your personal brand can be your greatest asset.