1. Be You

As cliché as this may sounds it is crucial to the personal branding process. It is something that we all have been told our entire lives.  Today’s job market is very competitive, so your personality needs to be even stronger.  Look for things that make you stand out. It can be a hobby, a passionate interest or even qualities that may seem a bit odd like quirks.  As long as they highlight a positive part of your overall personality you will be remembered.  For example I personally have ridden horses my entire life.  So in many scenarios people immediately associate with me with horseback riding. It may seem a bit irrelevant, but that part of my “brand” is always remembered which is the most important element.

2. Social Media

We are living in a time were social media is king.  Today social media is one of the main sources of communication. Some people try to avoid social media and go about this process the “traditional” way. However, using social media to brand yourself is one of the most important and convenient was to market yourself.

It is easy to get carried away with social media.  This why it is crucial to be mindful of what you are posting to each of your pages.  Yes, everyone wants to post pictures of the fabulous weekend they had partying with their friends but some pictures have no place for any form of social media.  Remember once it is online it is always online. Also recognize what type of platform you are posting to. For example LinkedIn is clearly more profession related then Facebook, so your profile picture should reflect that. For example, your family holiday photo most likely should not be found on LinkedIn.

Finally make sure you are current, especially in the IT field.  This industry is changing rapidly all the time.  If you are in IT and do not have any type of current social media footprint a possible employer may question your skills.

3. Networking

Just because you have built a solid brand does not mean that people know who you are! You have to present your brand to the public. If you do not network then all your work on building your brand and social media presence will have been for nothing. Knowing people is extremely important in the professional world.   Getting out there and meeting people helps build connections which can lead you to the job of your dreams!

4. The 3 C’s of Branding

Remember the three c’s of branding: clarity, consistency and constancy. Make sure your brand shows exactly who are and more importantly who you are not. Your brand should also should be somewhat uniform across all forms of communication. After determining where you want to place your brand make sure it is always current and available to your target audience.