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Is it Time to Build a New Personal Brand?

Kitty J. Boitnott, Ph.D., NBCT

Certified Life Strategies & Stress Management Coach

Career Transition Coach @ CareerHMO

Last week, I spoke to a group of individuals who are in the midst of a job search. Either by chance or by choice, they find themselves thrust into the midst of having to redefine themselves professionally. Some have had their jobs to just disappear. Others have been let go because their companies are downsizing; and still others are returning to work after having stayed at home with young children or having taken time off to take care of aging and ailing parents.

Regardless of the reason for their current state of unemployment, I reminded them that they are each "a business of one" (a phrase coined by J.T. O'Donnell, founder and owner of CareerHMO & Careerealism) and that whether they are aware of it or not, they have a personal and professional brand. I recommended that they consider what their brand is, and to consider whether they may need to consider RE-branding themselves for their new professional future.

We all know brands that either have positive or negative connotations for us. Ford and Chevrolet vs. Honda and Toyota; Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi; Nike is known for "Just Do It" and Apple is known for "Think Different."

So, what is YOUR brand? Do you have a consistent brand all across the social media networks that might help to define you? Do you have a personal Facebook page? Do you have a Pinterest page? Are you on LinkedIn, and if you are, have you optimized your profile? Do you have an Instagram account, and do you tweet on Twitter?

We have all either consciously and unconsciously created an online presence that helps to define who we are. We have reputations built upon what kind of co-worker we are or what sort of leader we have become. We have a brand whether we know it or not.

So, my question to you today is, are you happy with your brand, or is it time to consciously set about building a new brand? Only you can know that, but I ask because I think it is important for you to consider.

You may not like it that we are so public these days, but the fact is that we have become interconnected through all of the various social media that I have mentioned...and the ways that we are connected will only grow with time.

You need to consider what your current brand is. And if you need to re-brand yourself and need help with that, let me know. 

Please like me on Facebook or follow me onTwitter and find me on LinkedIn. 

If you or a friend or family member is looking for a job because they are out of work, between jobs, or underemployed, contact me for information about the “disruptive job search” methodology that is taught atCareerHMO, the “cure for chronic career pain.” I am now working as a career coach with CareerHMO and am looking for people who could benefit from the program and the fantastic resources that are available through CareerHMO and its sister site, Careerealism.