Creative Personal Branding in Six Steps

Your personal brand is essential to launching a career and expanding your opportunities. Growth is a common basic need, explains Jürgen Salenbacher with CareeRealism. Therefore, you need a strategy to grow your professional network and advance as an expert in the field. With six simple steps, you can position yourself as an asset in the industry and experience the professional and personal growth that you crave.

1. Draft Your Objectives

Professionals need to have clear objectives when seeking growth. Take some time to define your goals, research your desired career field, and identify a clear vision of where you would like to see yourself professionally in the future.

2. Adjust Your Way of Thinking

It is common for job seekers to find themselves in a rut, doing the same thing everyday. Adjust how you envision yourself as a career-seeking individual to establish a personal brand. When you begin to think of yourself in a new way, you have the ability to change your behavior and take action.

3. Design a Plan

After drafting your goals and envisioning yourself in a new way, create an action plan that outlines steps to make your vision a reality. Identify how you can expand your professional network and align yourself as an expert in the field. Attend networking events, create professional profiles on social media platforms, and compile an online portfolio or website. Share posts with your new network that are informative and insightful.

4. Dive Into Your Newfound Growth

Immerse yourself in the industry by contacting people in the field. Attend industry conferences, volunteer to serve as a guest speaker at a professional event, and get involved in the community to establish your personal brand. Bring your persona to fruition by acting the part.

5. Market Yourself

Take your action plan to a higher level by marketing yourself in your field. Reach out to your network, inquire about new job opportunities, and put your skills and experience on display. Ask a professional from your network to help mentor you during this process to ensure you are marketing a personal brand that is desirable within your field.

6. Put Your Personality on Display

Employers seek candidates who are not only an expert in the field, but those who also possess a personality that fits well with the company culture. Put your personality and your personal brand on display by taking networking opportunities to the next level. Mix and mingle during events, but more importantly, follow up with the people you meet and arrange personal meetings to show off your personable nature.

Word of mouth is a helpful tool when seeking career opportunities. By establishing a personal brand, marketing your skills and experience, and putting your personality on display, you can show tangible evidence that you are the ideal candidate for any type of position in the field.

Photo Courtesy of mdennes at Flickr.com