By Julailah Wahid
Who says that only celebrities are allowed to shape up their personal image? Mention the words "action hero" and Sylvester Stallone might come to mind. Bring up "sexy" and Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox may breeze through your thoughts. Many celebrities adorn a certain image, which is conveyed in the way that they present themselves. In the highly competitive job market today, it is important to stand out from the crowd if you want to get hired and stay relevant in the industry. How you project yourself will leave an impression on others, even when you've left the room. In short, personal branding is how you market yourself to the world.
If you need help grooming your personal brand, we're here to steer you in the right direction with some easy breezy steps.
Step 1: Cement your values and talents
Zeroing in on your strengths and talents is the essence of personal branding. You can start by listing down the core values that you appreciate most in life, be it loyalty, commitment or perseverance. Next, decide on your talents and highlight the skills you've picked up from previous jobs or experiences. Knowing where your strengths lie in will save you half the battle because it helps you to mould an identity. For instance, a person who is extremely good with numbers can be seen as a fast-thinking and meticulous individual, and might excel in areas like accounting. The better you know yourself, the easier it is to form an identity.
Step 2: Communicate your brand
Once you've decided on the type of image you want to portray, it's time to communicate it in the way you talk, dress and behave.
A strong personal brand can influence people's perceptions of you and attract opportunities that most suit you. The importance of marketing oneself is personified in the most successful people. English entrepreneur Richard Branson is clearly a risk-taker and not the average CEO in a black suit. Unlike many other big bosses who fly high in posh private jets, Richard cruises the world in a hot air balloon. The Virgin Airlines founder even rivaled British Airways, which for a long time had been the only airline from the United Kingdom serving long-haul routes to destinations in North America and the Caribbean. The launch of the colourful and fun Virgin Cola also gave Coca-Cola some stiff competition. Richard Branson clearly brands himself as a courageous individual who is willing to take risks and challenge the norm. His unique image has since attracted plenty of opportunities and like-minded individuals that have helped his businesses to grow.
To apply such marketing strategies in reality, you'll have to start with the little things. If loyalty is a trait that you possess, try highlighting it in your resume. When future employers see that you've stayed with companies for a relatively long time, it might signify that you are loyal and don't have the habit of job-hopping. Highlighting that you've started up your own business also reflects ambition and valour to take risks.
If your aim is to appear professional and thoughtful, dark colours and tailored clothing will suit you much better than dowdy patterns. Looking professional also means that you'll have to act that way, so be tactful with words and avoid goofing around the work environment (hint: The Office). Those in the creative industry can portray their quirky side through emblems and cheery colours, but be sure not to overdo it or people might not take you seriously at first glance.
Step 3: Build an online presence
Enter your name in the Google search engine box and you'll be surprised at what pops up. Chances are that other people, including future employers, are doing the same thing with your name. Utilise social media sites like LinkedIn to create a cogent online presence. LinkedIn, a free online business network, is a platform for you to connect to businesses and other working individuals. When creating a LinkedIn profile, be sure to list down your skill set and previous job experiences with concise descriptions, so that online viewers are much clearer on your career direction and goals. If you're looking to go the extra mile, try engaging yourself in an online community that supports positive social causes. This reflects integrity and a sense of character.
Additionally, online portfolios are really useful as they provide a direct pathway for employers to view what you've done and accomplished. It is also much easier to provide a future employer with a website URL rather than having to lug around a thick stack of your past works to every job interview. Lastly, try your best to eliminate past horrors that may portray you in a negative light. Pay your old blogs and Facebook posts a visit, and get rid of anything that contains profanities or poor language.
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