The concept of ‘branding’ is fast becoming the way people market themselves. With the integration of social media in our day-to-day, our personal brand — the way we want to be perceived by others — is easy enough to display on our own platforms. Do you like rock climbing? Have an extensive marble collection? Can you eat a whole pizza in five minutes? The truth is that we as individuals are a combination of fascinating little details, and we shouldn’t be afraid to let a little personality seep into our business lives. The world is changing. People want to work for people, not nameless, faceless cooperations. Here are some reasons and ways for you to use your personal brand to attract great talent and like-minded people.
Self-reflection
If you are not the type of person who takes long strolls on the beach to reflect on the nature of your person, now’s the time to start! Take a quiet moment and think about who you are, and what makes you unique. What are your talents? Your goals and aspirations? Your achievements and motivations? Your core philosophies? In the rush of life, it is sometimes inevitable that we forget to check in with ourselves, and you may find in this exercise that you’ve changed somewhat over the years. Once you’ve rediscovered yourself, think about how you can slip a little of your personality onto your profiles. Remember, don’t overdo it with personality quiz results and trashy political posts. A little goes a long way.
Tidy up your pages
By now, most of us have been on social media for years. If you still have a Hotmail email address, you probably have a forgotten MySpace page somewhere out there too. Consolidate your online presence and get rid of what you don’t need. Look at your old posts and take down anything less than flattering — we were all young and naïve once upon a time, and our views from way back then may not present the best versions of ourselves. Youthful immaturity online can come across as calloused and uninformed. Do a google search of yourself and see what comes up, and maybe adjust your permissions to minimise public access to your personal accounts.
Be yourself
Prospective employees these days are looking for more than a job. They’re looking for a sense of fulfilment and connection. In an increasingly corporatized world, what makes your business stand out is the human factor, the personable approach. When an applicant looks you up on the internet, what they find will most likely determine whether they think your company is a good fit for them, and people can spot disingenuity a mile away. Don’t feel like you have to construct an amicable front. Rather, focus on your more interesting points and showcase those. If clean professionalism is your brand, tweaking your social media presence to reflect this will help you attract like-minded people, and then hinting at your passion for sky-diving will make you stand out. Even if your passion feels a little silly, it helps to personalise you and your company.
Focus on employee experience
Ultimately, the goal is to have your personal brand be an advertisement. You want people to look at your brand as an indication of what it will be like to work for you and your company. In addition to showcasing your own personal brand, turn the spotlight on your other employees as well (with their permission, of course). After-work drinks, in-office lunches, and various other team bonding moments will hint at your company culture and employee experience. If you haven’t yet, engage in honest conversations with your current employees to see what you can do to better their experience in your company and take their suggestions onboard. A truly happy employee is its own advertisement.
Share the good news
It used to be said that you should keep your work life and personal life separate, and that is still true on some accounts. However, if you are the boss or a high-ranking executive in your company, it may benefit you to make your company a small part of your presence on social media, particularly when it comes to sharing leadership thought content or celebrating good news. Make the best applicantswantto work for you. Publicise charitable initiatives and mention ways in which you are making a difference in the community. Getting excited about your company tells an applicant two things — one, that you’re passionate about your job, and two, that your company is the place to be.