Everyone has a personal brand, whether you know it or not. Your brand has been formed over time based on your behaviour, treatment of others, appearance, lifestyle, personality, friends and interests, as well as the quality of your work and the things you say. These things combine to create a clear perception of you by others; a reputation, a label, a brand.

" Personal Brand is what people say about you when you leave the room. "

-Jeff Bezos, Founder, Amazon.com

Your Success Depends On It

Your brand is a definer of success in your career as it is the most visible marker of who you are and what you stand for. And how you are perceived by others can determine:

• Whether you will be considered for a promotion, a job opening or other opportunities.
• Whether your ideas are respected and viewed as credible.
• Whether others are willing to help or hinder you.
• Whether your work or service you provide are perceived as high or low quality.

Define It

A strong personal brand can also give you a sense of confidence and purpose in everything you do. So what are you waiting for? Decide what your personal brand is all about and how you can represent it.

Take It Online

Once you have your personal brand defined, take it online. To create an effective online presence, you should, at a minimum, create a profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn enables you to build a network of professional connections and strengthen relationships with them. What is more, LinkedIn allows you to post your experience, testimonials, recommendations and endorsements of your work and skills. It is a great platform to showcase your personal brand. Other social media sites to consider are Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. There are benefits to all of them, but you don’t have to be everywhere. If you decide to use more platforms, make sure that all your profiles represent your brand in the best possible way. Keep them all updated and consistent.

Live it

Finally, once you have defined your brand online and offline – live it! Be your brand.

What questions do you have?

We are happy to help. Please post your comment below or contact our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01 677 9000 or email: info@cooneycarey.ie To keep in touch, connect with us on LinkedIn.

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