Your Personal Brand and Networking Are Keys to Establishing Yourself
Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-article series written by emerging professionals for emerging professionals. Read the first article, “Setting a Strong Foundation as an Emerging Professional,” here.
***
Early in your career, it’s important to have not only a positive mindset and approach, but to develop your personal brand.
Building your personal brand is a daily task. So fret not if you haven’t found yours yet; it takes time to discover your unique value proposition.
First, identify your strengths and what makes you different from others. If you’re having a hard time coming up with strengths of your own, find a free tool online to help you or invest in taking the CliftonStrengths Assessment. It gives you a solid idea of what your core strengths are.
Once you understand your strengths, set a brand goal. For example, if one of your strengths is discipline, that feeds into a brand goal to be recognized as the go-to person for delivering complex projects on time and with precision.
Next, build visibility for yourself and communicate consistently. Start with your team: Share an improvement you created or participated in, no matter how big or small. Volunteer for high-impacting projects that connect organizational KPIs.
Nuture Professional Relationships
Build relationships with stakeholders and leaders who could influence your career path. Most importantly, find a sponsor (a senior leader who actively advocates for your career advancement even when you’re not in the room).
Communicate consistently — the best tool for that is LinkedIn. It enables your connections to know what you’ve been doing professionally. With the labor market in flux and the numbers of layoffs more than we would like them to be, it is key that your network knows how you are growing as a professional — and also how you’re helping your company grow.
Doing these things will help stand out among your peers, and leaders in your organization will know who you are and what you bring to the table. These strategies will help stretch your assignments and leadership roles — and position you for promotions — because people trust your capabilities.
You will also expand your network, and you’ll see how it opens doors for mentorship, sponsorships and opportunities inside and outside your company.
The Value of Networking
Networking enables you to grow your knowledge and as an individual, develop a support system.
Relationship building is crucial at all career levels, whether you’re a college student or seasoned practitioner. Your network will support you as you grow professionally — and when you need it most.
There are numerous types of networks — including your work network, industry network, professional network, and more. In today's professional climate, it’s a good idea to be well-versed in more than one area: A diverse perspective, whether cross-company or -industry, provides an abundance of knowledge that will differentiate you from others.
Networking can be done in a lot of ways, whether through LinkedIn, at conferences and conventions, or among your current network. It can be formal or informal — where you unexpectedly meet someone you want to learn more from.
Be Courageous and Authentic
To be successful in building your network, you need to be comfortable with stretching outside your comfort zone. The situation shouldn’t be intimidating, unnatural or forced.
Successful networking comes from the array of conversations and subjects discussed and the engagement that occurs. It doesn’t have to be work-related — sometimes the best conversations and connections can be made through the most natural and unforced conversations.
Ultimately, networking is about building real relationships that help you grow personally and professionally. When you’re willing to broaden relationship horizons and connect authentically, you open the door to new perspectives, opportunities and long-term support, which will help you grow to be your most successful self.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ferrantraite)