5 ways to help develop your personal brand

As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, there is a growing trend towards creating your personal brand. Even more so with the rise of LinkedIn and other social media channels, and as the recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought its own unique challenges within the global job market.

Much like a company brand, your personal brand is designed to show your unique points and qualities. To distinguish you from the crowd. Particularly in our current unique circumstances, within a crowded recruitment scenario, it may be your personal brand that gives you the edge and secures you the position.

Here are 5 ways to make your personal brand both honest and distinctive:

1. Develop a personal branding statement

Your personal brand statement is designed to provide a brief overview of who you are as an individual. It should be specific – short enough to post as your profile sentence on LinkedIn or Twitter, so no more than three to four sentences maximum. Here are a couple of famous examples:

“Tie-loathing adventurer, philanthropist & troublemaker, who believes in turning ideas into reality. Otherwise known as Dr Yes.” – Richard Branson

“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” – Oprah Winfrey

At the same time, start building your online presence in other ways – through a personal website or blog page for example. Research suggests that employers are more likely to select a candidate that has an established online presence.

2. Be impactful

To keep your personal branding statement short you need to give it impact. What defines you? What are your professional strengths, accomplishments, unique attributes, personality traits or aspirations? What motivates you? What are you passionate about?

As importantly, who is your audience? What demographics do they fall within? Which professional segments are you aiming towards? Which decision makers do you want to attract?

3. Be flexible

Like your own circumstances, your personal branding statement is changeable – not written in stone. So, review it from time-to-time and update it. By doing so, you’ll make it stronger and more relevant as time goes on.

4. Protect your image

The way you portray yourself visually is hugely important here. If your personal branding efforts are professionally motivated, do not post a LinkedIn profile picture that shows you dishevelled in a nightclub. Even your personal Facebook or Twitter page is under scrutiny here – employers have been known to make employment decisions based on candidates’ social media profiles, and the nature of their posts.

5. Be truthful and credible

The only way to be believable is to be truthful. People see through untruths and inconsistencies. Trying to be something you are not will only trip you up in the end.

If you have excelled in a particular sport, community or professional endeavour, do you have the evidence to back it up – videos, certificates/awards or testimonials for example?