How important is it to build your own personal brand and how can you do this?

Why is your personal brand important, you ask? Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the most successful people in the business world, wisely said that your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. Your experience, knowledge and achievements all form someone’s perception of you and your personal brand.

Defining your personal brand is important for your development and can be the difference between landing a job and getting a rejection email. So if you’re thinking about taking your next career move, here’s how to build your personal brand.

It’s more than marketing

Businesses know that when faced with stiff competition, defining their brand will set them apart. Take Apple, for example. What are some of the words that spring to mind when you think of their brand? Sleek, premium and innovation, perhaps.

But this is about your personal brand, so you probably don’t want to be described as sleek... but then maybe you do. The point to take away here is that Apple has earned a strong reputation, and you also want to leave people with a strong impression when they meet you.

How to cultivate the right perceptions

Personal branding is about cultivating the perceptions that you want people to form, and in the digital age, it’s more important than ever. It builds credibility, strengthens your network, and if you’re looking for a job, it's essential.

Define what intrigues and motivates you

When was the last time that you got lost in your work? Maybe the hours just fly by for you when you’re planning and forecasting or brainstorming with your team. Whatever it is that makes you lose track of time, that’s where your motivation lies.

This is all a part of building your self-awareness and figuring out what you want to be known for. Also, finding out what you’re most passionate about can help you foster a growth mindset, which is the belief that your talents can be strengthened if you’re dedicated to improving them.

If you think it’s about time to question what direction you’re heading in and chart a new course, why not start with some SMART objectives?

Tell your story

Creating a narrative is one of the best ways to get people hooked and leave them wanting to know about you and your brand. Also, one psychologist found that we are 22 times more likely to remember facts if they’re presented as a story. So by creating a story you’re building a brand that people can engage with.

To really have an impact, your story needs to be genuine. Colleagues, hiring managers and future employers will know if you’re not being authentic. Plus, it will be much easier to maintain your personal brand if you’re remaining true to yourself.

Craft your elevator pitch

No matter if you’ve got your elevator pitch down to a tee or you haven’t even thought about it, you need to ask yourself how it could sell a hiring manager on your employer brand. Your pitch should be no longer than 60 seconds, so every word has got to pack a punch. Here’s what you need to think about when crafting an elevator pitch for your personal brand:

• What is the purpose of the pitch?
• Share your value proposition
• Your strengths in a niche area
• Your long-term career goals

Once you’ve written your elevator pitch, read back over it and ask yourself if you’re going to leave hiring managers and employers with a lasting memory of you.

Put your personal brand into practice

Once you’ve built your personal brand, it’s just a matter of getting out there and living it.

At Quanta, we’re big believers in personal growth. This is why we offer 1-1 coaching to every team member, no matter their experience. We have award-winning training delivered by our in-house coaching team, who are there to help our employees structure their career plans so they can progress within their roles.

If you’re interested in coming on board, you can learn more about life at Quanta or explore our latest jobs.