Employers and hiring managers today are considering the result of your personal brand. Hence, personal brand in job search matters. They are checking your key qualities, drives, and interests. For that reason, your brand can be your edge over other candidates. On the other hand, it can cause you to lose your chance.
Let us define personal brand – the true meaning and value
A personal brand in job search is showing your skills, expertise, and experience. Your breadth of services is incorporated in the same manner. Additionally, your brand may also echoes your accomplishments. With this in mind, hiring managers are reviewing your personal brand outside your resume. At some point. You may have been aware of this, or perhaps, insentient. The reality is that, your personal brand is consistently shared online and offline.
While I was attentively listening to one of Gary Vee’s videos, he said something that conveyed a remarkable meaning on how one should perceive personal brand. And why you must not take it for granted when looking for a job. Another person that speaks the same message is William Arruda. They veraciously share the true meaning of personal brand. In a nutshell, it is about what you offer. It is how and what you can bring value and usefulness.
” Your personal brand is your reputation. And your reputation in perpetuity is the foundation of your career.”
– GaryVee
“Personal brand is not about you. It is about how you deliver values to others.”
– William Arruda
And in the wise words of prominent e-commerce pioneer, Jeff Bezos, he said: “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
How to create your “you” brand that stands out?
If you have not started yet, then now is the right time. The timing is mostly applicable if you are in job search. Your personal brand can lead you to many doors. Depending on your target job, your personal brand in job search plays a potential factor. It is also helpful more so when you are applying for one of the trending remote jobs today.
Steps to start building your personal brand in job search
Let’s start creating by identifying your “why”
Now that you understand the power of personal brand in job search, let us discuss how you can build an outstanding one. Let us start with having a clear vision of your “why”. Your reason. You may also call it your mission. In other words, what you can offer that is valuable.
Telling the audience your intent to provide service or solution is equally significant as sharing your accomplishments. In the long run, your “why” will be your guide in building your trust and reputation with your target audience.
With that in mind, think of your primary emphasis, how would you like the outside world to see “you”.
To help you identify your guide, ask yourself:
What is my “why” in creating my brand? What message do I want to share? What are the values, skills, and expertise that I want others to see in me?
Now, if you find it challenging to answer these questions, do not be bothered. It is okay. You are not alone. Many people muddle in finding words initially. As a solution, I would suggest that you ask your family, friends, colleagues, or clients. Go out and entreat about three things they may describe you.
If there is one thing I want you to keep in mind, is that, I would like you to be clear. Clarity is crucial. You can not expect others to understand “your value” unless you first understand it yourself. Is it not true?
Check your online presence and evaluate whether the result is according to your goal
Many recruiter specialists and employers consider the use of social media as part of the hiring process today. That said, there is a higher possibility that your prospective clients or employers will check your online presence.
In essence, your online presence should add integrity to your resume. To check about what others say to you, the easiest way is through a simple Google search.
So, here’s what you can do. Type your name on google.com.
Check your full name. You may also type your full name plus your industry. In addition to that, you may search your full name plus your location. Let’s take a look at the search results.
The information you found, are they what you were expecting?
Are you comfortable with the information about you?
Does it support your brand vision?
Now, go to the Images tab. Check the results.
Is there any inappropriate image pulled from your social media channels? Are you comfortable with the images you found?
What do you see from the images reflect who you are?
Revisit your social media accounts
Unequivocally, social media is a very powerful tool to establish your personal brand. It is because social media presents a multitude of benefits to one’s business and professional goals. That said, as you are aligning your online presence with your ideal personal brand, it is the best time to revisit your social media accounts.
Although you can’t build your personal brand in one day. Persistence and consistency are the It requires continuous effort and the right mix of tactics. Here are some useful tips that will help you understand how to brand yourself on social media.
Create content that says your brand and niche
How you present yourself through your content illustrates your deal. Your posts, reels, story, and videos share give the messages to the world. In one way or another, your content represents your brand.
Here are some of the facts that led an employer to hire a candidate:
- The candidate’s personality is seen as a good fit for the company’s culture
- Candidate actively engaging
- Personal stories promote skills and experience
- Creativeness matter (I recommend using this tool to create your social media content)
- Showing a wide range of interests reveals to be well-rounded
- The candidate’s personal website expressed a professional image and support professional qualifications
If you would like to create your personal website today, get it from here.
In-person connection and engagement
Your way of connecting to your network is also an opportunity to showcase your brand. This means that you do not only attend professional events but also join clubs or organizations relevant to your industry. Another way is to reach out to your former colleagues.
It is also good to join an organization where you can volunteer. It may be something that you want to do as giving back to what you believe in. As you are working with the people who support the same cause as you, you will find the opportunity to foster a good network.
These are just basic ways to elevate your brand with a personal approach. The way you engage with them can further pitch your identity.
Conclusion
Fundamentally, you are your brand. In essence, you are marketing your core values.
With that thought, in whatever job search journey you currently are, your brand can be your key. A future client or employer might consider your application because your brand demonstrates good signs.
Remember, you are about to wear and share your core values whether online or offline.
Creating and maintaining your personal brand is crucial in the job search. Utilize social media to boost your visibility. Moreover, by keeping your personal brand consistently, you are staying relevant in your career.
Let me tell you my experience as a recruiter, a candidate with personal resume website really stands out. I get excited to check the website. I spend extra time reading the content. Moreover, I also like to check how the candidate present her/his personal website. Your personal website is like the visual presentation of yourself.
Another advantage is that you can write a blog. You may showcase your knowledge about relevant topics in your job, career, or industry. Furthermore, you demonstrate your strengths Hence, provide boost your chance to say why an employer should hire you. By doing that, you can also earn online through affiliate marketing.
In this blog, I discuss about affiliate marketing for beginner.