05 May 2024
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room" - Jeff Bezos. What does this mean? Is it important? What even is “my brand”? Few students ask these questions when the term “personal brand” is dropped at a networking or careers event and even fewer have a satisfactory answer.
However, your brand could become your most powerful tool. Realizing this and acting to create your own could be the most important step you take all month. In this article, I will demonstrate its importance, identify its core themes, and list actionable steps to create your own. Let's get started…
Why is my personal brand important?
Research by McKinsey shows that strong brands outperform the market by an impressive 73 percent. You could do the same. In today's digital age, your online presence plays a pivotal role in shaping your career. For example, when hiring, employers frequently search candidates online and what they find—or don't find—can significantly influence hiring decisions.
For students, there are four clear benefits of a strong personal brand. Firstly, it establishes trust and credibility. A cohesive online presence that reflects your values, skills, and achievements portrays you as reliable and competent. Secondly, in a fiercely competitive job market, a robust personal brand sets you apart from other candidates, showcasing your unique skills and experiences. It can highlight your greatest achievements, and
provide more context and character than your CV.
Thirdly, personal branding can help you build one of your highest-value assets: your network. People are more likely to connect if you have a visible presence through actively engaging with others and showcasing your expertise. And lastly, by positioning yourself as a thought leader in your niche, you attract like-minded professionals and forge valuable connections that can lead to new opportunities.
What is my personal brand?
While Bezos’s quote highlights an important aspect, it is not the most insightful. The Harvard Business Review definition is more actionable: "Personal branding is an intentional, strategic practice in which you define and express your own Value Proposition."
This can be divided into three key elements: values, skills, and goals. Your values serve as the guiding principles that shape your decisions and actions, defining your personal and professional identity. Your skills represent your unique abilities, honed over time through experience. You become associated with these skills and abilities which define your niche. Finally, your goals reflect your aspirations and the main achievements your actions will Bring.
How do I build my personal brand?
Building your personal brand involves making these core elements visible and consistent across your in-person and online presence. Start by identifying a niche that aligns with your values, skills, and goals—a unique perspective that resonates with your audience and reflects your authenticity. Then, optimize your online profiles, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, to reflect this niche and showcase your expertise, experiences, and aspirations. Some people I follow who are great examples of this are Izzy Prior, Sahil Bloom, Lara Acosta, and Justin Welch.
Lastly, regularly create and share content that showcases your expertise, passion, and unique perspective. This will attract followers and establish you as a trusted authority in your niche. Embrace the power of personal branding and watch your career soar.
