How to build your personal brand and accelerate your career growth

If you’re looking for your next “big break,” it’s important to keep in mind that personal branding is a critical aspect of successfully landing a new role. It can have a huge impact on both your career growth and earning potential. To build your own personal brand, you first need to understand what that brand stands for in terms of the unique value you can bring to your current or future employer. Then you have to think about how to package it so that you can stand out from the crowd in an increasingly competitive job market.

What is a personal brand?

A personal brand is a widely recognized perception or perception of an individual based on their experience, knowledge, skills, actions and/or achievements in a community, industry or general marketplace. Some examples of famous personal brands are Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson.

In an employment context, personal branding is how you market yourself, your skills, and your work history. Also because your colleagues think about you (and how you make them feel) professionally and personally. Essentially, a personal brand name is an ongoing process that allows you to convey to others who you are, what you can do, and why they want to work with you.

Understanding your current personal brand

Before you build your brand, you need to understand it. Start by spending some time reflecting on the value you bring to others. What do you think you are best known for and what are your best qualities? If you need help getting started, take this quick personal brand quiz to find your unique personal brand archetype. You can also explore how your personal brand fits your personality and career goals.

Get feedback from others

Once you gain insight into your brand personality through self-reflection, ask those closest to you how they perceive your brand. The people in your life who know you best can shine a light on your brand based on first-hand experience and help you market it to your career. You may be surprised by what your network is saying about your brand and discover positive brand attributes you didn’t even know you had! You’ll also learn what doesn’t resonate with the people around you, so you can make appropriate adjustments to your own personal brand.

Think about what makes you tick

Take a moment to sit down and think about what motivates you to do what you do. Many people know what They do, but many don’t take the time to ask why they do it. List a few things about your job that make you happy—they give you a sense of purpose and meaning. Doing this will help you define your personal brand and help you plan where your career is going.

Understanding this is especially important when applying for a new role. CareerJunction’s checklist can help:

Job Application List;

1. Be clear about what you want.

2. Let technology do the heavy lifting – register your profile on a specialized recruitment platform like CareerJunction.

3. Find the story in the possibilities you can think of:

• Are you looking to find the right job for you?
• Does it match your wishes?
• Do you know if the culture is aligned with your values?
• Are you proud to work there?

4. What can you see online about how the company celebrates individual success?

5. Have you researched what other people are saying about the company?

6. What is your experience as an applicant?

Be consistent in everything you say

Whether you’re creating an online profile for recruiters, applying for a role, attending an interview or introducing yourself to promote yourself, keep your message consistent. The same goes for sharing posts on social media or showing your public support for certain causes. All of these actions contribute to your personal brand in one way or another.

When applying for jobs online, remember that your profile is the first thing recruiters will find and see – they have the option to download your CV to find out more about you. Upload your CV and update it regularly And A profile is the best way to keep your message consistent and ensure you don’t miss out on any job opportunities. This is a great way to ‘sell’ your work achievements and build your personal brand. CareerJunction allows you to sign up for job alerts sent directly to your inbox. You can choose how often to be notified about jobs that match the role you’re interested in.

Show your leadership potential

Don’t be shy about sharing your knowledge and thinking with the world, especially if you have an interesting perspective that cuts against the grain. Start conversations. Encourage participation. Share your thoughts about the industry you work in or the role you are responsible for. what did you do How do you think about the future? Show others that you have a voice and build thought leadership into your personal brand.

Embrace lifelong learning

Keep up to date with industry trends and socio-economic developments in the world around you. Be curious and committed to learning and growing. Find and follow subject matter experts and thought leaders you admire. Read their blogs, subscribe to their websites, enroll in their online courses. Take time to learn from your company’s competitors – what are they doing differently? Consider skills by taking accredited courses every one-two years. Be open to learning from senior people in your organization who were once in your current position at work…they may have some valuable insights. Employers also notice your efforts to learn and grow.

Separation thoughts

When building your personal brand, remember that it’s a marathon—not a sprint. Do a little something every day to go the extra mile. Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow by being honest with yourself about the challenges you need to close any professional or personal gaps.

Finally, remember that showing a positive attitude toward your work, helping others, and expressing yourself clearly and consistently are key factors in building your personal reputation and accelerating your career advancement.