Professional Branding

How do you describe yourself professionally?   So many of us have developed a 30-second elevator speech that is cute, silly, and really doesn’t express what we want people to know about us.  Others ramble on about what they’ve done in the past, their education, and other pieces of information that put the listener to sleep before she actually figures out what they do today.

I’ve been offering workshops and talks to consultants, people out of work, and even those working who are concerned about how they are being perceived by those in authority.  How do you brand yourself?   How do you express who you are and what you do in a way that doesn’t sound like everyone else doing the same work?

One of the techniques I suggest to clients is to remember things they’ve done in their youth that they are proud of having accomplished.  These memories often remind us of who we really are – what are core values and strengths are that add to who we are professionally.  Try it!

We become who we are today because of who we were yesterday.  It’s interesting going back into your past and learning about what really mattered to you.

Professional Branding

A few of us were discussing personal branding – particularly as it pertains to job seekers.  It occurred to me – after the conversation of course - that your personal brand is all you are – it is a combination of:

·       The way you feel about yourself

·       The image you project, posture, looks, the way you dress, voice, etc.

·       Your elevator speech

·       Your “sweet spot” skill set – what you love doing and what you do well

·       Your marketing materials – including business card, website, resume, etc.

·       It is the overall impression (perception) others have of you.

So – is yours as professional, positive and upscale as you’d like it to be?  If not, what are you planning to do to improve it?