You are familiar with these age-old questions, which came first, the chicken or the egg and if a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Therefore, I ask the question, where does your brand come from?
I am not talking about some cute or clever phrase. I am talking about your genuine, authentic, unique brand. Has it been there all along and you just didn’t know it?
Have you asked your friends and trusted connections what they believe your talents are? Are there re-occurring patterns? Hmmm, perhaps this is the beginning of your brand.
Do you have a value proposition? How does that align with your brand?
Have you asked yourself what makes you unique? Have you tested that in the market place? Is it as unique as you think?
Is your brand on track? Does it fit where you are headed next?
When you present yourself, is the message consistent, clear, and constant?
Your brand and your reputation belong to you. You own them and are accountable for managing them, now and forever more. The future of work demands this of you.
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.