Personal Branding?

Imagine you are your favourite brand. What makes you special, unforgettable, and worth choosing over the competition? That's your personal brand! It's the secret sauce that makes employers and business partners go, “Wow, we need this person on our team!”

Your personal brand is an authentic portrayal of you – a unique combination of your skills and knowledge, experiences and interests, and your values and passions meticulously crafted to leave a lasting impression. As a student, investing in your personal brand sets you apart in a competitive job market, helping you stand out to potential employers, mentors, peers and your institutions for further study.

Where do I use my Personal Brand?

Face-to-Face: Make a lasting impression

a. Craft a compelling "Elevator Pitch": Develop a high-impact elevator pitch — a 30-second introduction that highlights your strengths, goals, and what makes you unique. Practice it until it flows naturally.
b. Build a Network: Attend networking events, seminars, and workshops in your field. Don't just collect business cards; build meaningful connections. Follow up with a personalised message afterward.
c. Dress for Success: Select professional attires that make you feel confident – this is not about dressing fancy. Wear what represents your unique personal brand while respecting the professional and cultural norms and expectations of the setting you are engaged with. Research employers and business partners — the “news” section of a website that includes photos of recent events may give you lots of cues.
d. Read the Room: Research and respect professional norms around time and personal space. Show up early for appointments and meetings. Come well-prepared and be willing to contribute. Engage actively with people in face-to-face interactions — be aware of your body language and minimise distractions, especially the use of mobile phones.

Your digital presence: Online and on Social Media

a. Your digital avatar: What will a prospective employer, angel investor, postgraduate admissions counsellor, business funder, or other key decision-makers find if they Google Search your name? Review and clean up your social media profiles regularly. Delete or privatise content that doesn't align with your personal brand. What you share should reflect your values.
b. Email etiquettes: You may have sent hundreds of chats, posts or tweets, but email communications are quite another matter. A witty screen name may have been fun so far, but at best, you won't be taken seriously and at worst, your email will land in a spam folder. We recommend either using your official university email address or creating a professional email address with your first and last name. A concise and specific subject line will help your reader know exactly what to expect. Be Clear, Polite, and Succinct. End your email with a "thank you" or "With regards" and your full name and phone number.
c. LinkedIn profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital CV. Keep it updated, highlight achievements, and engage with industry professionals. Share your thoughts through posts and articles and remember to engage—make an effort to like, comment, and share relevant content. Building relationships on LinkedIn is about meaningful connections — ask trusted managers, supervisors, professors, etc. for recommendations after offering to write one for them.
d. Content is King: Create and curate content that aligns with your personal brand. Showcase your knowledge, expertise, experiences, and insights on topics you are passionate about.
e. Nothing is truly 'private' nowadays: Be intentional about any profile pictures, display photos, images, content, and communications you use — do they demonstrate the qualities you want to be known for? Keep an eye on what others say about you too (for example, posts that your friends tag you in).

Your life in Print: Write your story well

You will be expected to use a range of printed or digital documents such as Resumes, CVs and Cover Letters for job applications, career fairs, and to connect with business partners or investors.

a. Tailor-made documents: Write personalised cover letters and CVs to match the context, for example, a job application versus a further study application. This will showcase your passion and enthusiasm for the role. Highlight experiences, skills, and achievements that align with your career goals. Did you increase sales by 30%? Successfully manage a team of 10? Action verbs and quantifiable achievements grab attention.
b. Proofread and Polish: Typos and errors can tarnish your brand. Proofread your documents meticulously, and consider having a friend or a CES expert review them too. Don't use "WhatsApp chatting language"; for example, writing in all lower-case letters, abbreviating phrases (like GM, TTYL, LOL, sry), using emojis, etc. Edit your documents, and when necessary, make sure they are well-researched.

Our CES Experts host workshops throughout the year to offer comprehensive support that transforms your personal brand into a recipe for success.
Remember, building your personal brand is a continuous journey. It's not about perfection but about growth and evolution. Stay true to yourself, adapt as needed, and let your personal brand guide you towards a successful and fulfilling career journey. You've got this!