A brand is a reflection of who you are and what you stand for. But if you think it’s just companies that need to build one, you’d be wrong.
For both organisations and individuals, a personal brand can establish credibility and demonstrate value to potential clients. For candidates, this means being able to attract better employers, and vice versa. But, it’s not something that happens overnight – a recognisable personal brand takes time and continuous improvement to cultivate. Here’s how…
Understand your major selling points
What do you have to offer? Do you have certain benefits that competitors don’t? Have you got decades more experience in your sector than anyone else? Whatever it is, focus on what makes you stand out from the crowd.
It’s a good idea to think about specific skills, values, experiences, and areas of expertise that you or your company hold. If you’re a candidate struggling to define your major selling points, try asking former colleagues, friends, or family members to build a more well-rounded picture.
Value your vision
Whether you’re an organisation or candidate, you should take your personal brand seriously – this means considering its overall vision and mission.
What are your future aspirations? How do these align with current actions? And how can you achieve them in the long-term? If you’re an employer, make sure to get input from key senior members of staff to effectively define your vision and mission, plus get everyone on the same page.
Share your brand
To get your personal brand noticed, you’ll need to shout about it. Obviously, social media will be key, so you’ll need to be active on LinkedIn and any other applicable platforms.
Marketing is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. If you’re a candidate, you’ll want to think about creating a website or portfolio to showcase your previous work. For employers, you’ll likely have better marketing resources – so consider setting up a specific website or landing page to showcase your employer brand, and invest in team building activities that encourage existing employees to equally shout about your values.
Networking matters
Networking is crucial for sharing your brand values and connecting with people, whether that’s in-person or online.
Join professional associations, attend relevant networking events, and reach out to potential employers or employees on LinkedIn. This will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the trends within your industry.
Communicate with consistency
Without consistency, your personal brand will lose credibility and struggle to attract the right audience.
From identifying your USPs, to articulating your vision, you’ll need to ensure it aligns with your overall business goals and stays consistent throughout. Naturally, your personal brand will evolve over time – but it shouldn’t completely transform from one day to the next.
Discover your next role or hire
Whether you’re a candidate or employer, we can help. Our dynamic team of recruiters can support you with finding a role that matches your requirements – or take the hiring process off your plate completely. Plus, we’ll go above and beyond to mobilise your new hire and support them throughout their contract.
Chat to our team today to get started.
