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Job search in the social media age is more complex than it has ever been. It’s not simply a case of your CV being better than any others (though it helps!). It’s also about how you present yourself in other areas, such as online. Your ‘personal brand’ is now more important than ever before and it’s crucial to be aware of how yours is being perceived. The good news is that it’s not hard to make sure that you are coming off in a good light should a potential employer scan cyberspace for your credentials. However, again, you’re competing against other ‘brands’ so giving yours a boost that will see it knock out the competition is worth taking time to do. Here are some tips on making sure your personal brand shines.
Know your strengths and focus on them
We’re all good at some things, not so good at others. When tending to your personal brand, make sure to focus on the strengths you have and make them the ‘centrepiece’ of your online presence. This could be any blogs or articles you may have written on related subjects, or simply articles you’ve read and rated. Your personal brand isn’t simply what you say about yourself, it’s what you say about relevant topics as well.
Consider a website
This can be a great way to both build and manage your personal brand. A personal website can serve as the ‘hub’ that your social media updates come from. It’s a great way to control your brand and can be the most convenient option for those short on time.
Nurture your contacts
Who you know says a lot about who you are as a professional so don’t neglect to stay in touch with your network. It’s a good idea to do this anyway, but don’t overlook what it can do for your personal brand.
Demonstrate self-improvement
Whether it’s a course related to your field or a new sport you’ve taken up, always show that you are learning, ambitious and driven. This is one of the best ways to really boost your brand and position yourself as a go-getter.
Stay active
Maintaining or boosting your personal brand takes work. You need to stay active, sharing and creating content, tweaking profiles so that they stay as relevant as possible and maintaining your reach. It’s too easy to let a week slip by without a single update or share because you were simply too busy. Make time to regularly work on your brand because if you don’t, your reach will shorten and the potential for being found will lessen. A boosted personal brand is an active one so keep it moving!
Boosting your personal brand takes a little work but the pay-off is worth it, but once you’ve gotten into the swing of things, it becomes much easier to keep it active and attractive.