To start off the workshop on Career Branding, I like to play a game of Two Truths and One Lie with my students. I find this to be interesting because you get to learn some very interesting things about various students in the class and it always sparks a conversation. My purpose for doing this is to let students know that they are in control of how they want people to perceive them. After the oohs and ahhs we dive into personal branding.
Here’s something for you to try right now. We’ve all done it before but take some time and google yourself.
From my search, you can see that there is another Derrick out there that’s a comedian and photos that aren’t any of mine. On the other hand, you can see that mt LinkedIn page was number 1 on the page. This makes it easy for potential employers or clients to find me. In this digital age, it is critical you have an offline and online personal branding strategy.
Here are some tips to creating your personal brand
Be Authentic
“Be your authentic self” is a line that you hear often, nowadays in the digital age we live in. With all of us having some sort of access to a social media platform, it's important to stand out from the crowd and be yourself. Embracing the fact that you’re still learning will help you build trust with your audience.
Visibility
You have to be accessible offline and online. For online you should make your social media platforms public to allow people to view your content and contact you. You should also take advantage of free workshops, meetups, and conferences out there within your industry of interest.
Know your Industry
Not saying you must be an expert but it’ll be in your best interest to stay up to date on the latest trends and news in your industry. Being knowledgeable will elevate your personal brand to a new level.
2-way Networking
Networking is a two-way street. You shouldn’t focus on your own personal needs and benefits. You build equity as you build more meaningful relationships. Be sure to bring value when you are securing more connections and opportunities, which will definitely help build your personal brand.
What Now?
Now you know how to put your best self first, what steps are going to take now when looking for your new job, internship, or starting your own business? Be on the lookout for our Career Branding workshop coming up to learn about the data behind having a good branding strategy. Book a session with our career coach to help with creating the best branding strategy.