Everyone has a personal brand tied to them whether you like it or not. Your personal branding is the first impression people have of you and it is an important factor in your job search. Is yours a good one? Are you presenting yourself consistently across your social media channels? Your future employers may be checking you out even before meeting you. Given the prominence of social media, you need to control your online reputation and take charge of your personal branding.

What is a personal brand?

While branding has been commonly used exclusively for companies and movements, the rise of social media and digital spaces has made it essential for everyone to take care of their personal branding to be considered for a new role.

Your personal brand will be the unique combination of skills and experiences that defines you and how you present yourself to the world. A strong and positive personal brand will set you apart from other job seekers and help you build trust and a lasting impression with prospective employers.

Why it’s more important than ever

Building and establishing your personal brand has become more important than ever. Today, recruiters often use social media to suss you out before the interview process. Research has shown that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 43% of employers actually use social media to check on current employees.

You will be surprised to know that personal branding is also beneficial for the employer too. Companies today also encourage their staff to build and maintain strong personal brands because it’s good business. When employees are allowed to represent their company at conferences or events, they are not only developing themselves but also providing the organization more exposure. Employees can help acquire new customers and retain existing ones when they are viewed as trustworthy thought leaders.

Another reason personal branding is valuable is that the gig economy is not going away anytime soon. The average person switches jobs every 2 to 3 years, and by 2020, freelance and contract workers will make up 43% of the U.S. workforce.

As a result, workers need to be able to clearly communicate who they are and what they do to stand out to prospective clients and employers. If you aren’t effectively managing your online reputation, then you run the risk of losing out on business.

Examples of personal branding masters

Developing a great personal brand doesn’t happen overnight. It’s imperative to be able to communicate your purpose and mission to your audience in a genuine way. Here are some examples of famous people who have built incredible personal brands through hard work, consistency and a long-term focus:

• Oprah Winfrey: Oprah is undoubtedly the queen of personal branding. She is continually building equity in her brand which has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Oprah has always stuck to her core competency: challenging millions of viewers to live the best lives possible by understanding their potential. By being true to herself, she has inspired millions to be their best selves.
• Richard Branson: Richard Branson is undeniably one of the most visible, successful, and well-known men alive. He has continually stayed true to his core values, including adventure and risk-taking. By being himself, he has often done exactly what other business leaders cautioned against, including crazy publicity stunts like dressing as a flight attendant for a competing airline. His unorthodox style and commitment to his passions have helped him create a powerful personal brand. Branson says, “Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealized, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character and no public trust.”
• Marie Forleo: Marie Forleo is an inspiring teacher, writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She has mastered the ability to share impactful content in a humorous and engaging way. With a following in over 195 countries, Marie challenges her fans to change the way they live in order to change the world. Her website reflects that of a personal branding expert, highlighting her authenticity and passion for helping others.
• Gary Vaynerchuk: Also known as Gary Vee, Vaynerchuk got his start by hosting a video blog on YouTube called Wine Library TV. In March 2009, he signed a 10-book deal with HarperStudio, reportedly for over $1 million and released his first book, Crush It! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on your Passion, in October 2009. Now, he’s one of the most successful marketers in the world and has attracted a huge loyal following. Vaynerchuk says,” Your personal brand is your reputation. And your reputation in perpetuity is the foundation of your career.”

Whether you’re looking for a better job or more sales for your company, personal branding is more important than ever. You don’t need to be Oprah or Richard Branson to have a great personal brand. It’s just a matter of continually crafting and curating your digital presence and most importantly, keep it real! Your honesty, transparency and authenticity are what will differentiate you in the long run. You never get a second chance to make a first impression—make it one that will set you apart, build trust and reflect who you are. You can go to e2i.com.sg to improve on it.