Branding in general helps to create an image in others minds apart from establishing why one should focus upon the tangibles and intangibles associated with a particular brand. Branding also tells a compelling story highlighting the value of a brand in comparison to various competitors (Holt, 2016). Branding is an important tool to promote value-based images of products/services/experiences by way of building brand equity. Branding creates perceptions and branding is not just for products/services/experiences anymore. It is for people to promote themselves in the form of personal branding.

Personal branding defines who you are, what is your story and why should someone think about you. Although personal branding is not a new concept, it is somewhat underdeveloped as a marketing tool neglected in the career space (Jacobson, 2020). However, with the proliferation of social media channels, employers are increasingly interested in graduates’ personal branding profiles. Approximately, 70 percent of employers source information from social media sites in order to screen candidates during the hiring process (CareerBuilder Survey, 2018).

Personal branding for job seekers is an important tool that helps to establish a unique selling proposition (USP) and voices out your story to the employers. Personal branding showcases your talents, skills, knowledge and accomplishments to potential employers and is an important differentiator that sets you apart from the crowd. Personal branding allows you to craft a career statement that is compelling and persuasive.

References

CareerBuilder Survey, 2018. Retrieved 15th June 2020 from www.careerbuilder.com

Holt, D. (2016). Branding in the age of social media. Harvard Business Review, March, 40-48.

Jacobson, J. (2020). You are a brand: Social media managers’ personal branding and ‘the future audience’. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 29(6), 715-727.

Last modified: Sunday, 11 October 2020, 1:31 PM