9 tips for branding yourself to stand out in the crowd

9 tips for branding yourself to stand out in the crowd

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Imagine that you are in a job interview and the interviewer tells you they looked up your Facebook profile. Would you feel calm or would you frantically review in your mind the things you have recently posted? Is your social media presence a positive reflection of who you are?

Social media and the Internet (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, blogs, etc.) are available to everyone, and are the easiest way to give employers or potential connections a good first impression of you.

This is not just a hypothetical. Forbes.com reports that 4 in 5 employers do online research of a prospective employee before offering an interview.

Social media has made it easier but also more important than ever to brand yourself. You should always have this personal branding in mind when posting online.

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Below are some tips for helping you stand out to potential employers.

1. Figure out what your goals and objectives are

Forbes.com's Lisa Quast suggests that your social media activity be driven by your goals and objectives.

What is your ultimate goal? Is it to become the CEO of a specific company? The manager of a certain industry? Or the best chef in New York City? Having specific goals and objectives in mind will help guide what you post on social media, what you write about on your blog and what articles you research.

2. Decide who you are

What do you want to stand for? What do you want to convey? And why do you want to stand for or convey it? If you ask yourself these questions, it allows you to understand the reason behind your brand and how you want others to perceive you.

3. Establish a target audience

Who is your target audience? Is it a specific set of business owners? Is it a certain industry? Having a specific audience in mind helps your posts be more specific and well-rounded. It also gives you a narrower approach to research and connecting with others.

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4. Determine the type of social media

What kind of social media will you use to build your brand? Figure out which social network your target audience uses the most. Pick two or three so that future employers and networkers can get a glimpse of you at different levels.

5. Be consistent

This one cannot be stressed enough. Consistency is key. You can’t stand for one thing on LinkedIn and then something else completely opposite on Twitter. This confuses your audience and lowers your ethos. Be genuine and be yourself. Also, be conscious of who your audience is and who will be looking at your profile. Never post anything you wouldn't want your parents to see.

6. Post frequently

Posting frequently shows commitment. It also shows that you can manage yourself and be proactive on your own.

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7. Be informed

Be informed on what’s going on in the world right now. Research, study, share articles and comment on articles. You can even start a debate on a news article; just be sure you are respectful and tactful in your comments. This shows you are involved and care about the issues surrounding our country and world today.

8. Network

Get connected with those in your chosen field. If you want to become a CEO of a specific business, connect with CEOs from that business. Networking is one of the best ways to become known because you can establish long-term relationships that continue to build off each other.

Entrepreneur.com suggests finding ways to create a mutually beneficial relationship with all in your network. If you help them, they will help you. You will find, as you look for ways to help others, that you actually have more to offer than you think.

Once you have created this relationship, maintain it by staying in contact as the years pass by. You never know when you may need that connection again.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

9. Get advice and feedback

The American Institute of CPAs suggests that once you have established your personal brand, have a close friend, colleague, or family member (or multiple) search you out on the Internet.

They can tell you what their first impression of you was, and you can determine whether or not that is how you want to be perceived. It also tells you which parts need more clarity or improvements.

The AICPA reminds you that if you don’t brand yourself, then someone else will. Be confident, consistent, and clear, and you will be well on your way to representing yourself in the best way possible.

Once you've established a solid brand for yourself, you are ready to find the best job possible. KSL Jobs listings can help with that part.

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