Create a Powerful Personal Brand

Personal branding is a powerful tool. Imagine some of the most common household names like Apple or Blackberry. When you hear those words you are probably not thinking of your aunt’s famous fruit salad that she brings to every family picnic; you’re thinking of the brands that they represent. You can create an equally powerful personal brand for yourself as a candidate. Here are four simple steps to creating your own brand; online and beyond.

1. Dominate your online identity. Start by getting your own domain name. Use a service like Go Daddy or Network Solutions to buy your own website name. Use some combination of your first, middle, and last name so it will be easily recognizable. If you can’t get .com, try for .net or .me. Join social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to make sure you have control over your own name on these sites.
2.  Identify your strengths. You need to use your new online platforms to showcase your expertise. There are potentially hundreds of other candidates standing right where you are so setting yourself apart is imperative. Use your website and your social media to share why you are an expert in your field. Be creative, be knowledgeable, and promote yourself across the platforms.
3. Be passionate. It isn’t enough just to be knowledgeable about your interests and skills but you also need to show excitement about the subject. This will set you apart from your competition. Recruiters and hiring managers want to see someone who will excel in a position and who wants to be challenged and engaged. Your online passion will show them how you really feel about what you do.
4. Professional online branding. Now is the time to take these things and make them into something memorable and, more importantly, professional. Use a team of people to help you maximize your online presence. Rather than designing a website on your own work with a designer who can create something that will draw readers in and keep them coming back. Maintain consistency across all of your platforms.

Are you looking for more ways to maximize your online presence and build your professional brand? Contact the professional recruiters at Harvard Resource Solutions to see how we can help you.