Personal Branding is often associated with social media influencers, entrepreneurs, or marketing strategies. While that’s true, personal branding is also essential for job seekers across all industries. It’s a process that defines who you are—your story, values, and goals—and presents them in a way that builds credibility and visibility. In today’s competitive job market, standing out is key, and personal branding can help you do just that. It’s an early but crucial component of career development.
So, what makes up a personal brand? Start by thinking about your story and who you really are. Then, dive into your values and how they tie into your story. Add in your career goals and aspirations, and voila! When you combine these elements in an authentic and consistent way, you create your brand. Let’s break it down further.
Steps for developing a personal brand:
- Reflect on your strengths and values. Start by listing your abilities and the things you value in life. We recommend taking the PathwayU assessment, which provides detailed insights into your interests, values, personality, and workplace preferences—a great starting point for brand development.
- Develop career goals. If you haven’t already, make a list of both short-term and long-term career goals. Be specific. The more clearly you define your goals, the easier it will be to communicate them to others (and to achieve them).
- Create relevant materials. This is where you apply your personal brand to key channels and materials. Regardless of the industry, resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles are a must. Some fields may also require portfolios and websites. We also recommend crafting an elevator pitch and an “About Me” or personal statement that reflects your brand.
- Be consistent. Your personal branding materials should align with each other and avoid contradictions. Since the purpose of a personal brand is to present yourself authentically, consistency is key.
- Manage your platforms. After determining which platforms to use, make sure to maintain them. Some job seekers stick to LinkedIn while keeping other social profiles private. Others incorporate their personal brand across LinkedIn, Instagram, and more. Your industry may guide your decision—creative fields, for instance, often leverage Instagram for networking. For most students, we recommend staying active on LinkedIn: engage with connections' posts, reshare content, post your own content, follow relevant companies and influencers, and keep your profile updated.
Developing a personal brand can make you a strong candidate and help you stand out in your industry. Remember, authenticity is key—people can tell when you're being genuine. And it goes a long way.
If you need help with this process, join our Meet-Ups on these topics, visit Drop-Ins, or make an appointment with a Career Coach. We're here to help!