Meet Vijay (name changed for confidentiality reasons), a seasoned marketing professional in the financial services industry with 21 years of experience. Struggling with issues at work, dissatisfaction, and a diminishing confidence level, Vijay started seeking a new job opportunity, but interview after interview his efforts proved unsuccessful, leaving him feeling frustrated in his career. He then enrolled in my 1:1 personal branding coaching program.
Fast forward to today, and Vijay’s career has undergone a remarkable transformation. Despite remaining in the same company, he now finds happiness, appreciation, and increased responsibilities. What triggered this positive change?
Vijay’s dedicated himself to crafting a compelling personal brand, showcasing his skills and expertise as the go-to person for all things that his brand communicated. His focused approach on the unique value he brought to his job, coupled with a positive mindset, earned him recognition from teammates and superiors a like. His influence amongst the top leadership team converted into a positive one and he started finding his voice at work.
But what exactly is a personal brand?
In a world where “perception is reality,” each one of us possesses a personal brand image in the minds of those we interact with. The challenge arises when professionals unconsciously position themselves as commodities—products that sell solely based on price, lacking true value.
On the contrary, a personal brand amplifies your proposition, communicating your strengths and true value, placing you in a commanding position. Whether with your current employer or potential ones, personal branding draws attention to your uniqueness, differentiating you from your peers and other job candidates.
Why should you consider personal branding?
Let’s explore three common work situations where personal branding can be transformative.
1. Not enjoying your current job: Once you define your personal brand, reflecting your expertise, strengths, and core skills, identifying problems becomes straightforward.
Ask yourself:
- Are your skills optimally utilized? If not, use your personal branding statement to discuss improvements with your boss. See if you can arrive at a win win situation.
- Do you need to up-skill? Take relevant courses to enhance your contribution, supported by a SWOT analysis.
- Set up a goal with measurable results – for example if the target audience are your clients, then how many new clients have had meaningful conversations with you during the last one month, 3 months and so on. And are the quality interactions increasing? Then working with an action plan becomes easier.
2. Low confidence level: In the midst of office politics or navigating through storms, a well-defined personal brand allows you to focus on your attributes, serving as a guideline. Appreciate and celebrate small wins, boosting your confidence to handle challenges effectively.
3. Seeking a job change: Endlessly applying to online jobs may yield unsatisfactory results if your resume and LinkedIn profile lack a representation of your brand strengths. A strong personal brand provides clarity on roles, target employers, and helps you network strategically, uncovering hidden job opportunities.
A clearly defined personal brand acts as a magnet, drawing opportunities that positively impact your career growth.
So, do you have a strong personal brand? If yes, then has it evolved? Remember, your personal brand is a living, breathing entity, not static.
P.S: In case it interests you to know more about our 1:1 personal branding coaching program, reach out via DM or send a mail on hello@aspirationjobs.com.
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