Personal branding is such an important practice as it is one way to set yourself apart from your competition. As Collegiate DECA members, we often find ourselves in competitive professional work environments. Maybe it’s trying to get that dream job or internship. Maybe it is trying to start your own business in an oversaturated market. Whatever the case may be, it is still very important to learn the most effective ways to brand yourself.
Before diving into the brand aspect of who you are and who you want yourself to be, it is beneficial to complete a SWOT analysis on yourself. This is something that I learned worked for me when I took my first marketing class in high school. Allow yourself to take some time to write down on a piece of paper what you believe your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats are. Think this out thoroughly as this is a wonderful foundation for determining how to brand yourself.
Start With Yourself (and BE HONEST!)
A SWOT analysis is commonly used by businesses to understand their current state and to help develop strategies for the future. The same activity/analysis can be applied to your own professional development. Taking a step back and honestly evaluating yourself can help you better understand what makes you unique and where you still have room to grow. It can also help you realize things to avoid.
Ask yourself these simple questions:
Strengths: What skills do I have that make me stand out? What do others come to me for help with?
Weaknesses: What skills or areas do I need to improve? What experiences am I missing?
Opportunities: What organizations, internships, leadership positions, competitions, or networking opportunities can help me grow? Who in my network can I ask to mentor me or give me advice?
Threats: What obstacles could prevent me from reaching my goals? What competition or outside factors should I prepare for?
Now after you have written some things down, think about how you can highlight your strengths and use them to your advantage, turn your weaknesses into opportunities for growth, capitalize on existing opportunities and connections, and move away from things that may be holding you back or preventing you from getting to where you want to be.
Use your SWOT analysis to determine who you currently are and ask yourself where you want to be. Then start planning the steps for how you are going to get there. Think about the qualities and characteristics that you want others to associate with you. Are you a strong leader? A creative problem solver? Someone who is dependable and hardworking? Do you understand the importance of good communication? These qualities will become an important part of your personal brand.
As Collegiate DECA members, we have many opportunities to utilize our personal brands. Every competition, leadership position, networking conversation, speech and conference is another opportunity to demonstrate who you are. Your resume may tell someone what you have done but your personal brand helps them understand who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Personal branding is all about understanding your strengths, being honest about your areas for improvement (weaknesses) and communicating what makes you stand out above the competition. Take these tips and watch yourself learn more about who you are and realize how much easier it becomes for you and others to understand your value.
