Social Media and Your Personal Brand

A personal brand allows you to control your own narrative and can help you stand out from the competition. In a significant variety of social media platforms, personal branding attracts attention from employers. It is a prominent way to market both yourself and your accomplishments.

In a recent study conducted by CareerBuilder, at least 70% of employers use social media to screen applicants. Here are ways you can increase your personal brand online.

• Develop Your Plan

  • Determine what you want to be known for

  • Define your audience

  • Research your desired industry and follow the experts

  • Ask for informational interviews

• Ensure Consistency Across Social Media Platforms

  • The more consistent your brand messaging is across all social media channels the more impactful your identity and credibility becomes

• Analyze Your Plan

  • Assess a few months after developing your new plan

  • Are people clicking your links, liking your posts, commenting, etc.

  • Did you reach your goal for number of connections/followers?

• LinkedIn Optimization

  • Professional social media network, where you create profiles highlighting current and prior work experience, skills, accomplishments, endorsements, education and much more.

  • Ability to upload resumes, connect with colleagues, and build a network that can help you grow your personal brand

• Brand Building

  • Build, share and post regularly great content on social media

  • Contribute something valuable to your target audience

  • Join niche groups

Your personal brand is how you define the distinctive value that you bring to your career. You can highlight your strengths that can help you grow. Being able to articulate your brand will help others understand who you really are, what you stand for, build authentic relationships, and realize your goals.