This got me thinking.  Do I have a brand?  I know Hemisphere Consulting has a brand and we take great care of ensuring that remains consistent but what about my own?  And why does anyone need a personal brand?

Of course, once you think about it, everyone does have a personal brand but perhaps we need someone like Rachel to encourage us to think about it in more depth.  In today’s highly competitive market, having thought about your brand might be the difference between getting your dream job and being regarded as ‘very nice’ but ‘not the right fit for us’. 

So how should you think about it? Well, here’s what I took away from Rachel’s presentation: 

• Know yourself. What five words would best describe you?  And if you don’t like those words, what do you need to do to make them into words that you would like to describe you? 
• Understand how others perceive you.  If this is different to how you see yourself, make changes to bring them into alignment. 
• You’ve got to have a plan.  If you don’t know how you see yourself in five years time, how is anyone else going to be able to picture you in that new role? 
• Once you have a plan, stick to it. It takes time to create a career and each step should be strategic and moving you closer to that dream job. 

Once you are comfortable with your brand – walk the talk and promote it!  In this industry we aren’t known for our shrinking violet personalities.  It may sound daunting or tacky to self promote but in simple terms you are merely communicating and presenting yourself well at every networking opportunity.  

 It comes down to your mother’s advice to always wear clean undies in case you get run over by a bus. You just never know who you are going to meet or where that connection could take you.