How To Create An EPIC Career Brand That Gets You Noticed
EPIC Career Moves
Are you your company's best-kept secret? If so, that's a problem.
How do you think promotions are awarded? Usually, the top-of-mind person is the first person in line to be awarded an opportunity.
Is this fair? Maybe.
Is this the truth? Definitely yes.
My most memorable coaching assignment was with a client who needed to quickly land a new role in their company. Failure to do so would result in leaving the company, due to a division closure, and a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in future retirement earnings.
My client was very good at their job. However, few people in senior management knew this. I guided my client on a 90-day whirlwind publicity campaign that led to not one but two offers at a higher level than they currently were at.
It was a scary time for my client that could have been avoided had they built an unforgettable career brand.
In her new book, Unforgettable Presence, Lorraine Lee provides a pragmatic approach to creating an EPIC career brand.
Here are Lee's four essential ingredients needed to develop your brand recipe.
Frequently, we judge ourselves more harshly than others do, so it's valuable to seek feedback from trusted individuals about how they perceive you. This helps you determine whether their perception aligns with your self-image and the professional reputation you aim to build.
Here are some tips for building out your career brand:
Be shameless. This is not the time to hold back. You know your work is good. Now it's time to let everyone else know.
Be authentic. The way to move up in your organization might require being ruthless. If that's not who you are or who you aspire to be, then all the coaching in the world isn't going to get you there. Instead, consider finding a work environment that better aligns with the career brand you're going for.
Throw doubt to the wind. You'll hear lots of talk about Imposter Syndrome and how everyone has it. Don't buy into this. Everyone struggles at some point in their career. It's completely natural to do so. Push through the discomfort and let your true self shine.
Be visible. The people who get noticed are those who show up regularly. It can be uncomfortable to stand in a conference room with people you don't know, chowing down on a co-worker's birthday cake. Do it anyway. You may wind up standing next to an executive, who with a bit of luck and some small talk could be instrumental in you landing your next opportunity.
Be patient. We often forget how long it's taken some highly visible brands to take hold. Your career brand won't be built overnight, so it's essential to start building today.
Be consistent. Consistency is key to accelerating your career brand. Posting on LinkedIn once a month won't get you noticed. Instead, share content two or three times a week. You'll quickly see increased visibility and engagement, boosting your professional profile and career prospects.
Building a powerful career brand is an ongoing journey, not a destination. By consistently showcasing your experiences, personality, identity, and community, you shape how others perceive you and unlock new possibilities.
Start today, stay authentic, and watch your career flourish. The world is waiting to see what you have to offer.
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