by Naike Moshi
In today's workplace, building a personal brand is no longer an option, but a necessity. Here are some questions to help you understand how to build your personal brand.
What are you great at? What do you bring to the table?
Identifying your strengths, abilities, and natural talents is the first step in building a personal brand. It is imperative to know who you are. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses introspectively. As a result, you'll uncover your unique skills and traits, as well as areas where you need to improve or gain new knowledge in order to advance your career. You can build your personal brand by highlighting your uniqueness and value proposition.
What do you want to be known for?
As a professional, what is your personal brand? What does everyone know about you? In the business world, you need to be very intentional about that. Who do people turn to when someone has a project, an assignment they need done? There should be mention of your name. Having a strong personal brand and visibility will help you stand out from the crowd.
Are you putting myself out there?
The art of putting yourself out there for opportunities must be mastered. You can put yourself out there in the following places: Meetings, emails, networking events. Introduce yourself when you meet people face-to-face or virtually. Additionally, you can participate in volunteer assignments and projects that showcase your expertise and skills.
Are you networking strategically?
Networking regularly and strategically is crucial to building your ideal personal brand. Attend face-to-face or virtual networking events to connect with peers and industry thought leaders. By making connections and providing value in your interactions, you are more likely to be recognized for your personal brand. Attending networking events will help you build your brand. Building your network is easier with platforms like Linkedin.
Are you promoting your personal brand in person?
It is important to build your personal brand both online and offline. How do you showcase your talents and abilities offline? By attending industry events, giving speeches and networking strategically, you can promote your brand in person. Your in-person interactions should take into account how you're perceived.
The bottom line is that it is your own responsibility to know yourself and what you bring to the table, and it really is up to you to do it. Your power lies in your hands. Advancement in your career depends on you. Take ownership!
Naike Moshi is the Country director of CVPeople Tanzania and founder & CEO of Women in Management Africa (WIMA). She is an MBA graduate and holds a dual degree in Human Resource and Business Management from Tennessee Wesleyan University in USA. She started her professional career in a US Tax Consulting firm and has enjoyed challenging, diverse assignments in the management consultancy industry. Contact Naike via Naike Moshi | LinkedIn
More articles by Naike
