Today we are going to talk about your professional reputation. Why do people use your professional services? Why should a company hire you for that interesting job? What makes you stand out in the crowd? As a professional, it’s important to define the work you do, why you do it, and the impact of that work. People who strategically design their brand are able to successfully manage career progressions, learn and share with colleagues, and maximise opportunities that align with their purpose. You are way more than your job title. The way you present yourself to potential employers, clients, customers, or anyone who can be a potential business partner, is crucial for your career growth.
More than ever, being a qualified professional with solid experience no longer guarantees a good position, or an extensive list of costumers, in the business world. If you really want to stand out, you need to plan strategically many things – and your professional reputation is one of them.
Why do people use your professional services? Why should a company hire you for that interesting job? What makes you stand out in the crowd? Let’s imagine that you are a product that is being offered to the public – what motivates people to do business with you? The answer to all these questions is one: your personal brand.
Personal brand is a marketing strategy that understands the person as a brand that must be developed, treated and protected, whether in the social or professional environment. The concept revolves around the idea that highlighting the differentials, attributes, opinions and values of the professional, opportunities will arise.
It’s not only the way you want people to see you, but also the way you want to live your personal and professional life. Whether you have a business, or you want to get that dream job that you’ll really enjoy where you can show your full potential and grow, you need to differentiate yourself from the rest. How do you do that? Strategically nurturing a very positive personal brand.
Building a personal brand in the corporate or business world is a task that must be planned in detail. If you want to increase the sales of your business or impress a potential employer, it is necessary that your image is associated with a sense of dedication, confidence, success and satisfaction. The resources used in the pursuit of this objective are the most varied: business cards, resumes, portfolios, blogs, profiles on professional networks, among others. The way the professional is presented to the employer, or potential client, is a critical factor for anyone looking to pursue a successful career.
Let me offer you some tips:
1. Be Authentic: You want to present the best version of yourself to the public, but always make sure you let your personality shine through. People tend to focus on being strictly professional and start hiding their personality traits when building a personal brand. When you are authentic and accept yourself, your message will become more clear. Show your true colours, have fun and give people good reasons to interact with you. Being professional is good but don’t forget to be authentic.
2. Manage your social and professional networks carefully: To build a good personal brand, it is important that you pay attention to how you present yourself to the world. Remember that both professional and social media should be used to show the person you are – and who you are striving to become. It is a place for networking and opportunity. That’s a common sense that states: “You are what you post”. Because of that you should be really mindful about the content you share and the opinions you express. Also, while working your professional media profile, pay attention to details: a professional photo, relevant information about your career, practical examples about your work experience, etc. When dealing with your social media profile, always double check the message you are sending.
3. Practice networking: Another good tactic to do your personal marketing is to attend events in your area – even online events – so you can meet other professionals in the field and start connecting with people. It is worthwhile to gather information on the subject to be discussed in order to give interesting opinions and interact with potential new connections. Network is your net worth!
4. Develop an impeccable resume: If you are thinking of applying for a job, your resume must be flawless. Bear in mind: “You never have a second change to make a first impression”, and in a hiring process the first impression of you is your resume. The document must be organised, objective, well written and with no typos, highlighting your strengths and demonstrating your skills, experience and talents.
5. Always keep your word: Your words have and hold more power than you think. So, it’s critical that you always keep your word because this defines who you are and what people think of you. Have you promised to send the quotation in 48 hours? Send it. Have you committed to give feedback on a proposal the next day? Do it. Have you scheduled a meeting next week? Attend. Have you agreed to cover your coworker shift? Show up.
A strong personal brand offers you a steady basis to build a successful career. Especially now that we are experiencing the age of the Internet, it’s most likely that people’s first contact with you will happen online. It’s important to think about how you present yourself to the world. Personal Branding is what separates the best from the rest!
