Career Club Newsletter

With the passing of Steve Jobs, hundreds of articles emerged highlighting his contributions to the world. Steve Jobs created a brand that is the envy of companies the world over. The Apple logo stands for innovation, for being cool, hip, visionary and delivering what people do not even know they need. While we might not create another Apple, we can develop our own personal brand.

There are lots of benefits to having a strong, personal brand, such as

• Setting yourself apart with potential employers. Being clear about who you are demonstrates confidence and clarity.
• Bringing new opportunities in an existing work environment because people identify with your attributes and understand your strengths.
• Guide you in your career decisions as well as what training, skills or knowledge you would like to pursue.

 

How do you develop your brand?

Assess you unique attributes – Your brand should be authentic, so you need to spend time assessing what you have to offer. Ask yourself: “What qualities do I possess that can set me apart from others?” “What skills or knowledge do I have that might be valuable to an employer or customer?” “What am I passionate about?” Consider your strengths, your accomplishments and your relevance to others.

Have an online presence – Try LinkedIn, a business-oriented networking site. Consider creating a personal website that showcases your accomplishments. You can try Twitter to connect and communicate with a wide range of people. If you like writing, create a blog to get your views out.

Be part of the conversation – Once you are comfortable with your brand, find ways to communicate it. You can share your view on discussion forums and blogs. You can identify opportunities at work to communicate your strengths and attributes.

Here’s an example of a one sentence brand statement that I developed for myself: I am an experienced, passionate senior executive, driven to achieve outstanding performance while creating an inspiring, innovative environment.

Spend some time creating your very own brand.