EOP Logo

Equal Opportunity Publications
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY
Equal Opportunity Cover
WOMAN
ENGINEER
Woman Engineer Cover
MINORITY
ENGINEER
Minority Engineer Cover
CAREERS &
the disABLED
CAREERS & the disABLED Cover
WORKFORCE
DIVERSITY
Workforce Diversity Cover
HISPANIC
CAREER WORLD
Hispanic Career World Cover
AFRICAN-AMERICAN
CAREER WORLD
African-American Career World Cover



Equal Opportunity Magazine, launched in 1968, is a career-guidance and recruitment magazine offered at no charge to qualified African American, Hispanic, Native-American, and Asian-American college students and professionals in career disciplines. Equal Opportunity empowers readers to move ahead in their job search and/or current workplace environment.

This magazine reaches students and professionals nationwide at their home addresses, colleges and universities, and chapters of student and professional organizations.

If you are a student or professional who is a member of a minority group, Equal Opportunity is available to you FREE!


Equal Opportunity

» Featured Articles
» Subscription Information
» Reader Survey
» Companies Actively Recruiting

 FIVE REASONS WHY EMPLOYEES CAN BENEFIT FROM PERSONAL BRANDING

There are many reasons why personal branding has become a hot topic in the workforce these days, and why savvy employees manage their personal brands daily, explains author Lisa Orrell, a leadership expert. They understand the concept that every time someone has contact with you at work, outside of work, or on social media, one of two things happen: your personal brand is either strengthened or weakened, by what you say or don’t say, and by what you do or don’t do.
 
A strong personal brand allows all that’s unique and effective about your personal and professional style to become known (in a deliberate and managed way) to your colleagues up, down, and across the organization. And that can enable you to generate maximum value and unique distinction for yourself at work.
 
But, as an employee, how else can you benefit from creating and managing your personal brand? Here are five valid reasons to consider:
 
You Will Get Clarity & Direction
When you truly focus on developing and managing your personal brand it becomes a “behavior barometer.” Personal branding is all about increased self-awareness by acknowledging your weaknesses (i.e. having a bad temper, being extremely shy, or being a poor communicator) and making the necessary changes to improve yourself. And it’s also about understanding your strengths. You have to know “who you are and who you aspire to be” in order to conduct yourself in any role effectively; be it entry-level or a senior leadership position.
 
Your Can Expand Notoriety Outside Of Work
Aside from wanting more notoriety at work, personal branding can also increase awareness for you in your industry. There’s nothing wrong with wanting this type of professional recognition; it’s a smart career strategy. Many employees would like to be interviewed by industry media or asked to speak at industry conferences and tradeshows. But it typically doesn’t just happen.
 
If you strategically promote your personal brand as a thought leader within your industry this type of notoriety can be achieved. However, no one will be interested in conducting a media interview with you or booking you as a speaker if you don’t have a fresh perspective and unique information to share. Therefore, you need to stay current on trends, formulate your own insights, and consider writing articles for industry publications and blogs, as well as participate in conversations on industry-focused social networks. These types of strategies can start positioning you as a thought leader, and attract the attention of the media and event planners.
 
You Can Excel Career Advancement
As consumers, we typically buy brands we like and trust. This concept also applies to personal branding. When you define and manage your brand at work, and live it consistently, your co-workers and employer will know how you’ll react in any given situation thus developing trust in you. Just like a positive product brand, more people will buy-in to you, and that increases your chances for promotions or being chosen to work on high-profile projects.
 
You Will Enjoy More Job Satisfaction
As you become clear on your personal brand, you become clearer on your personal and professional values. This can lead to asking yourself important questions like: Am I in the right job or role? Do I even like what I do or should I make a career change? Does my supervisor, or company, mesh with my personal brand values? Knowing the answers benefits you because it improves your chances of being at a company or in a role where you’re happy, and that impacts your job satisfaction and professional performance.
 
You Can Hone Your Job Search Efforts
When you’re actively job seeking, determining your personal brand will enable you to focus on companies, positions, and Supervisors that will fit you best. There are many job candidates who turn down employment offers because they know it’s not the right fit with their Personal Brand.
 
Lisa Orrell, CPC, has written four books: Millennials Incorporated; Millennials into Leadership; Boomers into Business; Your Employee Brand is in Your Hands: How Any Employee Can Create and Promote Their Own Personal Leadership Brand for Massive Career Success!
» Feedback for the Editor
» Request Article Copy

All Content ©1996- EOP, Inc. Website by: Webscope