By Will LinkIn the age of social media shaping and promoting your personal brand has never been more important. It is even more essential when you consider how today’s workers are more significantly more likely to have multiple jobs throughout their career and be employed in fields not directly related to the major in college. Putting yourself out there can be uncomfortable or even downright frightening, but by following these tips there is a good chance that you will stand out in a competitive hiring environment. Thus having a personal brand and portfolio of your work that you have done can be a very important asset as you progress professionally. Make Yourself Known Whatever events you attend, be it formal meetings, conferences, or a networking sessions, make sure that the people running the event recognize your presence. You don’t have to be flashy or outrageous, but do be engaging. A good rule of thumb when attending group events such as presentations is to always ask one question. By asking a question you are making yourself known to everyone in attendance and showing interest in the presenter’s work or topic. You will also be making a meaningful contribution to the event as a whole. Make sure your question is relevant to the topic that is being discussed. If you are nervous that you won’t be able to come up with a question on the spot, prepare one ahead of time. Use your question to highlight your own personal interests and skills to open up avenues for future communication with the presenter or other attendees. Some general examples of great questions that will likely be effective at any event include:
Be Active in Your Community One of the best places to start building your personal brand is right where you are. By giving a little bit of your time to and sharing your talents with your local community, you can learn more about its needs and grow your network. Examples of community service include, but are not limited to, volunteering with a local charitable organization, joining a local advocacy organization or group, or getting involved with local government and politics. Use Social Media Effectively Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can all be used to effectively promote yourself. If used correctly, these outlets are also great avenues to connect with people in your desired career cluster. Just remember that every social media platform should showcase different aspects of your personal brand. LinkedIn is a more professional atmosphere than Twitter, which is strictly an information feed. Instagram, on the other hand, should be used to showcase artwork or other visual work samples. For keeping up to date topics that might interest you, Twitter is a great option, because the size limits it has on its posts allows you to scroll through the most information in the shortest period of time, and pick out the links to other websites that you would be most interested in. While interactions on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are more relaxed than they are on LinkedIn, you should always make sure to post appropriate content online. Nearly all job recruiters are looking at all of a candidate’s social media accounts during the hiring process. Build A Personal Website While social media is a great tool for showcasing your achievements it’s not entirely focused and controlled by you. The content that you post will only be a small blip in the feeds of your friends, followers, or connections. If you create your own website you will have a much more permanent platform to show off who you are, your interests and goals, your portfolio, and the work that you are capable of doing. There are many free services that allow you to build a website such as Wix, Wordpress or Google Sites. Designers, photographers, and writers are just some groups who can showcase their professional work effectively on a well-organized website. Never Stop Learning The world and the workforce are always changing. Advances in digital technology have accelerated new trends, so always make sure to stay in the loop about how they might affect your career and industry. Join groups with like-minded professionals on social media and share news stories. Follow professional organizations and thought leaders in your industry to stay informed. Another great way to stay informed is to attend conferences. There are conferences and seminars for almost every topic and industry hosted by numerous organizations all over the globe. There are many online databases that keep a running list of conferences, seminars, and workshops, including AllConferences.com, 10times.com and Conference Alerts. These databases allow you to search based on location, topics of interest, and more filters. Conference Alerts allow you to subscribe to an email list that will update you whenever there is an upcoming conference or event in your area. If you don’t have the time or money to go to conferences consider attending virtual events. A quick Google Search of virtual conference + the topic you are interested in will likely yield many results of on-demand webinars and other learning sessions. Business Cards (Yes, They’re Still A Thing) While you’re out networking or at conferences, handing out business cards can help you make a lasting impression on people. Business cards are a great way to have a physical way of showcasing your information, skills, and interests to potential clients or employers. Vistaprint is one of many websites that provide business card templates or allow you to design your own. You can design and print 100 business cards for only $15. LinkedIn has a digital business card feature that allows users to pull up a QR code on their smartphone. Whoever scans the QR code will be taken directly to your personal LinkedIn account.
Online resources such as Switchit, Inigo, and OneCard allow you to create a digital business card that can include graphics, videos, and more work samples. Swithcit, Inigo, and OneCard all have free and premium plans. They work on your computer as well as most smart devices. Content on digital business cards is shareable via social media, email, or text message. It’s a great idea to include your digital business card in your email signature. Your Personal Branding is Key to Future Success Personal branding is a process that can go in many different directions. Even after you have secured a position it always good to keep building your personal brand. Self-promotion will help you expand your network so that you will have more opportunities in the future. By following our advice building your personal brand and promoting yourself can be an enjoyable, informative, and productive experience.
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