In 2021 you must build your personal brand to stay relevant in a competitive job market. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have a digital footprint — after all, the internet is saturated with people and their content. So, when it comes to your own personal brand, consider taking these extra steps to really make it memorable, ultimately helping you to build a growing network and earn that new career opportunity.
1. Be Aware
You may think your personal take is unique enough on its own, but do you know that for sure? Research and analysis on how your “personal brand” compares against others can work to your benefit. Entrepreneur Robert F. Smith said, “I think it’s critically important to always be aware of, you know, the competitive dynamic in your market. But not aware of it just in a point of fear, but in a point of education.” Comparing yourself to others is not to bring yourself down, rather use this perspective to build yourself up. By recognizing the differences between your brand and that of your competition, you can learn what it takes to stand out. Then, you’ll be able to further understand your strengths, and learn exactly how you can articulate your position to your audience.
2. Develop Consistency
As you’re building your brand across numerous digital platforms, consistency is important. Developing a voice for your brand is key to helping you stand out, especially considering your voice is so personal and exclusive to you. The more consistently you use that voice, the more you can establish your reputation in the industry and demonstrate reliability as a thought leader.
A helpful tip for perfecting your brand’s voice, is to first take time to develop your writing skills. Effective communication is so important in today’s competitive job market and a great opportunity for differentiation. As you work to demonstrate your unique voice, the quality and consistency of your writing will positively impact how your personal brand is perceived.
3. Showcase Your Value
One of the best ways you can characterize yourself as memorable is to create value for your audience. The most effective messages won’t just mention your strengths, but they will really showcase your abilities in action. Rather than listing off characteristics that make you an ideal candidate, use real-life experiences and past job stories to prove you exceed expectations and are the best person for the position.
4. Nurture Relationships
To really stand out amongst the crowd, make sure that you’re nurturing the relationships you’ve built over time. The more continuous effort you put in to listen, learn, and offer up help in any way, the stronger the network you can create. Marketing VP Porter Gale said “Your network is your net worth.” You can grow your connections and set yourself apart from the rest by taking a real interest in people, and by cultivating your relationships for the long-term.
In Summary
Small measures can make a huge difference in elevating your personal brand above the rest, and having a strong personal brand can become the deciding factor that makes employers want to hire you. Embrace your creativity and take a chance to amplify your voice — you never know where it may take you!