This informal CPD article Personal Branding is More Important than Ever - Here’s Why was provided by Koukash Consultancy, a full-service communications and training consultancy driving impactful communication through bespoke solutions.
As the saying goes, you never have a second chance at first impression, and that is why building an effective personal brand is so important.
"Personal branding" is a term that you now encounter on many channels. Especially self-employed people, founders or people working in PR, marketing and journalism know the importance of a personal brand. But does an Investment Banker, Lawyer or Sustainability Consultant need one too?
The answer is a resounding yes. Just as a brand's reputation influences your decision to interact or not around it, your personal brand is what makes you unique and stand out from your peers and competitors.
What is a Personal Brand?
A personal brand consists of the values and characteristics that you want to embody and convey. Think about your reasons for choosing a specific lawyer or working with a consultant known for being the best in their industry. It is their personal brand that makes you want to work with them.
When beginning to think about your personal brand, the essential questions are: "Who do you think you are? Who do other people think you are? What do you think of other people?" The intersection of these questions is the key message of your personal brand.
A professional brand sets you apart. In today's digital-first world, standing out within your profession is crucial to staying ahead and having people seek you out as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL). However personal branding is not a quick fix: it takes consistency and commitment to integrate your personal brand effectively.
What are the benefits for companies when employees have personal branding?
Developing and building a personal brand is not just crucial once you've achieved career success. It is, in fact, an essential step to getting there. The importance of creating a personal that persuades, compels, leads and inspires is something that business leaders aspire to achieve.
With the exponential growth of social media, the freelance workforce, and the gig economy, a solid personal brand has become imperative for almost any ambitious future. More organisations seek to hire employees who can act as brand ambassadors and utilise their professional and personal networks.
A strong personal brand online can also help you land your dream job: a 2018 CareerBuilder survey revealed that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, & 43% of employers use social media to check current employees. By cultivating a personal brand online, you are not only enhancing your reputation but making yourself more compelling to future hiring managers.
Personal branding needs to be learned
Like all skills, personal branding cannot be mastered overnight, it takes time, commitment & dedication to identify what you want to be known for & build your brand authentically. It is important to invest in taking time to reflect on your personal brand & how to build & maintain it.
Remember that your reputation is what sets you apart & continue to channel authenticity in all your interactions - both online & offline.
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