Stand out in a crowd: Career branding tips
Question:
I am having difficulty differentiating myself at my work. I keep hearing people talk about career branding and I am curious to learn more about it. How do I implement it in my life?
Answer:
It’s not enough to simply allow your actions to speak for themselves.
You must build a brand and tell people about it. What is your brand? If you don’t know it and are not communicating it, others are doing it for you.
Incorporate the following three concepts to take control of the image you are projecting so that you will ensure you are positioned strongly to stand out in your career advancement.
AUTHENTIC
The most inspiring leaders in this work have great self-awareness.
Self-awareness comes from being honest with yourself around your skills, interests and values. Being authentic is about having your insides equal your outsides. In other words, what do you stand for?
But I am warning you, if you take an honest look at yourself and don’t see anything interesting, it is because you have gone blind to what makes you special.
It can take a year to appreciate your gifts. Start now.
I promise you, it is worthwhile.
PASSION
William Wallace in the classic movie Braveheart said: “Everyone dies, not everyone lives.”
It’s enough to give you shivers, isn’t it? Do you want to really live your life? I promise you this, when you are engaged in work you love, your life will change.
All change is challenging even when it is good.
Never forget that as you pursue your passions you will have to make difficult decisions.
Change, by definition is the death of the old and the birth of the new. Both hurt but the payoff is huge.
DEPENDABLE
Your brand is ultimately established when you can be depended upon to perform it consistently over time.
If you can’t see yourself being a certain way on a daily basis, then you are missing the third ingredient.
What behaviour can you be counted on to do daily?
CONTEST
Develop your career brand by writing one paragraph explaining your skills, interest, values, and passions.
Remember that it must be authentic and depedable! E-mail us your statement.
The best answer wins a free hour of breakthrough coaching.
Email your questions to: info@Dr-Career.com. Listen to Career FastTrack “Live” Mondays at 5.30 p.m. on CiTR 101.9 FM or online at citr.ca
In February 2008, the founder of MPLOYR and MPLOYR Express set out to create a free employment website like