In today's fast-paced world, a strong personal brand can be the key to unlocking new career opportunities. Whether you're looking to switch careers or climb the ladder in your current field, building a personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd and showcase your unique strengths and abilities. In this blog, we'll explore why your personal brand matters when exploring new career opportunities and look at some real-life examples of individuals who have leveraged their personal brands to achieve success.
First and foremost, your personal brand is a reflection of who you are as a professional. It encompasses your values, your skills, your experiences, and your unique perspective. By taking the time to build and cultivate your personal brand, you can establish yourself as an authority in your field and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
One real-life example of someone who has built a powerful personal brand is Vusi Thembekwayo. Vusi is an entrepreneur, Author, Global Speaker, and Investor in the Future who is known for a source of business wisdom, Vusi is the go-to guy for executives and entrepreneurs globally. His charismatic social media engagement often mirrors that of a rockstar, with over 1 million followers on Facebook. Vusi is among the top 10 most followed Africans on LinkedIn, with more than 700 000 followers and more than 500 000 followers on Twitter. Through his work and his personal brand, he has become a sought-after speaker and advisor in the business world. His personal brand has helped him establish himself as a thought leader in his field and has opened up numerous career opportunities for him.
Another example of the power of personal branding is Michelle Obama. As the former First Lady of the United States, Obama has always been in the public eye, but it wasn't until she began to develop her personal brand that she truly began to make an impact beyond her time in the White House. Through her work with organizations like Let's Move! and her bestselling memoir Becoming, Obama has become a powerful advocate for issues like education, health and wellness, and women's rights. Her personal brand has helped her establish herself as a leader and influencer, and has given her a platform to make a difference in the world.
So, how can you build your own personal brand and leverage it to explore new career opportunities? Here are a few tips:
Identify your unique strengths and skills. What sets you apart from others in your field? What do you do well that others struggle with? Identify these strengths and find ways to showcase them in your personal brand.
Build a strong online presence. In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial. Build a professional website, create social media profiles, and start publishing content that showcases your expertise and personality.
Network, network, network. Building strong relationships with others in your field can help you expand your reach and discover new opportunities. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with others on LinkedIn. Join a Community of Like-Minded Professionals like DIGGER. As a member of the DIGGER community you'll also have the chance to network with other professionals in your field, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects. Whether you're looking for a mentor, seeking advice, or just want to make new connections, our community provides a supportive and inclusive environment where you can grow both personally and professionally.
Be authentic. Your personal brand should be a true reflection of who you are as a person and a professional. Be honest and authentic in your branding efforts, and don't try to be someone you're not.
What's the point of a Personal Brand ?
The point of a personal brand is to establish yourself as a unique and recognizable professional in your field. Your personal brand is a reflection of your values, skills, experiences, and unique perspective, and it can help you stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression on potential employers, clients, and colleagues.
Furthermore, a strong personal brand can help you build trust and credibility with potential clients and employers. When you have a well-established personal brand, you demonstrate your commitment to your profession, and you show that you take your work seriously. This can help you win new business, secure job offers, and build long-term relationships with clients and colleagues.
🥧 Pieces of your professional PIE
The foundation of a personal brand is initially created by consistently doing good work. Unfortunately, working hard or having great ideas is rarely enough these days.
No matter what you do or what your goal is, the key is to be in control of your P.I.E.:
Performance
Image
Exposure
All three pieces of your professional P.I.E. need to work in your favor if you want your personal brand to succeed.
Performance is fundamental, of course. It means you need to deliver quality results in your day-to-day work.
Image is about what other people think of you—your (very important) personal brand. Do you maintain a positive attitude? Do you lead with solutions or focus on roadblocks when others suggest changes or alternatives?
And the final piece, Exposure, is about making sure that people know who you are and what you stand for. Does your boss know what you do? Does their boss know you and what you do? Do others inside and outside your organization know anything about you?
Key behaviours that can negatively affect your brand when exploring new career opportunities
The lack of effort when creating your online Profile, i,e LinkedIn
Rescheduling interviews with clients multiple times or not pitching for interviews at all
Lack of Communicating with your consultant when certain things that might change
Not researching the Company that you are interviewing with
Accepting a counteroffer after you have accepted a new offer
Starting with an organisation and resigning before a 6 month period has passed.
In any way being untruthful
By building a strong personal brand, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your field and open up new career opportunities that you may not have even considered before. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a freelancer, or a corporate professional, investing in your personal brand is a smart move that can pay dividends in the long run.
Who are we: DIGGER is a Niched Talent marketplace where we connect Audit & CA Professionals to great career opportunities and to each other in a thriving community.
Our Vision: To create a scalable solution for connecting highly skilled, diverse talent within high demand Technical careers.
Our Ambition: To see an explosion of Talent that will contribute positively, not just to Africa’s digital economy, but to a global society. We are building a community of the most extraordinary doers in the world. To start from Africa and expand globally.
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