How your personal brand will impact your career progression
Don’t get left behind. That’s quite a big opening line, but if you’re not focusing on building your personal brand this year, you’ll find yourself chasing everyone else.
Firstly, let’s dive deep into what personal branding actually is. Google’s definition says that it’s the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence the public perception of an individual by positioning them as an authority in their industry.
My translation = A tool to showcase exactly who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re passionate about.
Gone are the days when personal branding was only for celebrities or CEO’s and I’m here to tell you the exact impact it can have on you as an employee!
Opportunities for career growth
Building your personal brand online is effectively creating a live portfolio. It shows employers as well as your peers exactly what you do, all your achievements, and how passionate you are about your work.
According to LinkedIn, 71% of professionals believe that a strong personal brand leads to increased career opportunities.
So, even if you aren’t currently looking for new opportunities – you never know what could come up if you put your best foot forward and show up for yourself!
Builds trust
Investing in your personal brand makes you tap into the emotions and aspirations of your audience. You become the beacon of trust and credibility your followers are seeking. Whether that’s through the value you add, or your consistent presence online.
84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, according to LinkedIn. Every marketplace is crowded, so to be sure you can stand out, gain visibility, and attract a loyal following – start putting time into developing your personal brand and you’ll start building trust without even realising. And we all know, people want to work with those that they like, know, and trust so get yourself out there!
Establish yourself as an expert in your field
Portraying a clear and consistent message is exactly how you can convey your expertise and the value you offer to your audience. It’s not always what you say, it’s how you say it.
To become a true expert, you need to refine your message.
- Simplicity is effective: Your message should be easy to understand.
- Be true to yourself: Understand how you want your values and identity to be perceived.
- If you want to see how your message resonates with different audiences, test it with them and make any adjustments to keep on improving.
So, how can this progress your career?
You’ll be head and shoulders above your peers by staying on top of the changes and updates within your field, making your work easier for yourself and others by sharing your knowledge. Promoting yourself as the go-to for the ‘all you need to know’ information as well as teaching those around you – pretty much making yourself indispensable!
In today’s competitive market, building your personal brand is the best way to discover new opportunities. Whether that’s new career opportunities, generating business leads or connecting with new people – all positive impacts of showcasing your strengths and values. If anything, I hope this article gives you the push to just get started!
