Today, nearly every individual has a personal brand – whether cultivated or not – and it’s what makes many people stand out from the crowd.
The concept of promoting yourself to a group of people may seem foreign and scary – but it could be the thing which lands you the dream job in the end.
By developing your own personal brand, you will place yourself in a distinctive position as you prepare to enter the workforce and once you are in it.
Here are five tips to build your own personal brand and make sure you stand out from the crowd.
1. Play to your strengths:
Identify your strengths and play into them. Build on these strengths and seek out opportunities to demonstrate your skills in stronger areas to other industry professionals.
You can also dedicate some time to practicing and building confidence when it comes to your weaknesses.
2. Know and position yourself:
In order to build your personal brand, some self-reflecting may have to take place first. Reflect on your strengths, values and expertise to better understand who you are and who you want to become.
By doing this, you’ll position yourself within your industry with a better understanding of who you are and what you want to achieve.
3. Influences and inspirations:
Find someone who inspires and influences you within your chosen industry, and track their career.
Start by jotting down the qualities they have and the achievements they have made over their career trajectory. Use it as a benchmark for your own career.
4. Mentorships and connections:
Building your own individual brand is important but don’t be afraid to make connections with other people. It’s an effective way to become more successful, allowing you to get your name out there in the process.
This can also be a two-way street, allowing you to share your knowledge with others and build their skills.
5. Be yourself:
This is probably the simplest and easiest one when it comes to building your personal brand. You’ve just got to be yourself. Use your unique strengths to your advantage, find your own style and you’ll stand out from the crowd.
By finding your own niche, you’ll stand out from the crowd and you may even pave the path for someone else.
