Are you Promoting Your Personal Brand?

Every professional should create and maintain a personal brand — a combination of skills, personality and performance that defines how employers view him. Establishing your brand to grab the attention of current and potential employers means promoting yourself whenever the opportunity arises. Dive into the basics of self-promotion to learn whether you're promoting your personal brand to the fullest.

Technology provides more opportunity than ever to establish your personal brand via your online presence. Twitter is a great tool for hiring managers looking to connect with talent, and it allows job hunters to follow companies that interest them. To meet potential employers and other industry professionals, head to networking platforms such as LinkedIn. Be sure to use a professional headshot for your profile picture, and fill out the information fields to let other professionals know exactly what problems you solve and where your expertise lies.

Despite the convenience of online marketing, attending in-person networking events such as chamber of commerce meetings, alumni meetings and neighborhood get-togethers are still the best way to meet people and establish your brand. Don't forget to hand out your business card to stay connected with new acquaintances.

Another important way to promote your personal brand is to share your expertise in online forums and elsewhere, establishing yourself as an expert in your industry. Write articles for trade journals or magazines, or post them on your own blog. Doing this lets you share your knowledge with colleagues while expressing your own tone, opinions and personality.

Although many aspects of your personal brand develop subconsciously as you network, take time to purposefully craft your success stories to share with employers when the opportunity presents itself. Look at old resumes to find your accomplishments, and ask friends, colleagues and co-workers for ideas. Next, create an accomplishment statement for each success, including what you did, what happened as a result and what value it provided. These statements are especially useful for conveying your personal brand through your resume.

Finally, don't be afraid to articulate your value to your employer. You may be tempted to be modest, letting others discover your value on their own. However, members of management interact with numerous professionals and often fail to hone in on a specific worker's accomplishments. Stating and demonstrating your value up front is effective as long as you don't display an arrogant attitude.

When promoting yourself, value consistency above all else, logging in to your social media accounts regularly to establish yourself as a present professional in your industry. Keep in mind that every interaction and social media post communicates your brand, even when you aren't thinking about it. Be purposeful and thoughtful at all times to establish your own personal brand.

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