The day you start knocking on the doors of prospective employers, you’ll discover that your first project will be learning how to promote your personal brand.  
 
When people hear your name, what do you want to spring to mind?  Personal branding is all about managing and influencing these perceptions so you can stand out in a crowd of graduates.  Dr. Hubert K. Rampersad, a prominent figure in the leadership development field, states that an authentic personal brand will help you build credibility, strengthen your reputation, and improve your performance potential.
 
But how exactly do you build your own personal brand?  Crafting an effective personal brand takes planning and consistent effort, but here are some easy steps to get you started:

• ​Take professional headshots. According to research from LinkedIn, including a picture of yourself makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed. Having a good quality, professional headshot is your best chance to make a good impression on your future employers.  Have your headshots professionally done, or ask a friend with a good camera nicely to take them for you.    

​

• Build a professional online image. Now is the perfect time to start filtering through your social media accounts and remove those wild party pictures.  It’s very likely that your future employers will Google you, so make sure you put your best foot forward online.

 

• Become active on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great place to start in terms of showcasing your personal brand professionally.  Who knows, an employer who is impressed by your profile may contact you directly!  Make sure your profile evolves with you as you change jobs and gain new skills.

 

• ​Learn how to introduce yourself. Does the thought of someone saying, “tell me a bit about yourself,” make you tremble with fear?  Prepare yourself by saying your name and communicating your experience and aspirations in less than 30 seconds.

 

•  ​Develop  a personal website. An excellent way of developing an online presence is by creating your own website.  Start a blog and produce content that aligns with your passions and expertise.  Write a brief bio, attach your CV, and provide links to your other social platforms.

​"One thing I wish somebody had told me at beginning was that you don't have to know exactly what you're going to do for the rest of your life."​
- Monica Helbano​

Just the thought of finishing university and heading straight into the workforce can be daunting.  Though last Wednesday, it was all put into perspective when three of our Waikato University graduates shared their own experiences and advice with us at our Grad Panel event.
​

James Forster 
Studied: Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Public Relations and Marketing
​Current Jobs:
Marketing and Digital Coordinator at Chiefs Rugby
Social Media Management/Marketing for Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Melissa Hughes
Studied: Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Marketing and Public Relations, specialising in Events Management
Current Jobs: Recently left her position as a Marketing Coordinator as a graduate at the H3 Group New Zealand, and is now a Marketing Promotions Coordinator at LynnMall Shopping Centre for Kiwi Property

Monica Helbano
Studied: Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in Public Relations and Leadership Communication
Current Job: Communications Coordinator at HMC Communications

Do you have any stories about your own experiences or tips to share?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.