Everyone loves their own brand

As people are wishing the year away until the credit crunch loses all of its teeth, there are many of us out there who are reevaluating our situations in what we do as a job (if we still have one) or if you are looking for a new role. 

I read an interesting article this week (Ok again in 'Psychologies' magazine) on a women who gave up the 9 to 5 and relooked at what she really wanted to do with her life. Alot of us would be eyeing up the move to the countryside, the b&b in devon, becoming a 'consultant' or even thinking we were 19 again and hoofing it round the world in hostels, then getting the Amex out and upgrading to the local Marriott (or better) and cut it down to a month of luxury instead of a year slumming it. But instead of dancing with wolves to find yourself, the article highlighted 5 easy steps to finding brand you and at this time when confidence is at an all time low everyone could learn something from going through this exercise, even over a cuppa when you have a spare half hour. 

When looking for a new role or when boldy going where no man (or woman or actually you) have been before, it is a good idea to rediscover what made you so attractive to an employer in the first place. I always see it like dating. If you have been in a long relationship, you get comfy, you are you but you begin to forget what might make you attractive should you ever have to go out and find another 'partner'. What would you dress like, who would you be looking for, what do they want in you? You don't want to jump at the first opportunity and it is an easy mistake to make to try and be something you're not just to get in the door (I am talking about jobs now!). So the best thing to do is be confident in who you are and you will be in the best frame of mind to meet potential suitors (Whether new job or career) who want to spend the rest of their life with you rather than it all ending in tears. Here are my version of the four steps to finding brand you......

1. Create your brand values. In other words, think about four key words that explain what you are all about. Think about after meeting you, what would people say about you when you left the room? (That is your brand.
2. Create your brand story. Everyone has a story, where they have come from, what they have done, why they chose those paths and ultimately how all of this ties up to show a clear path to where you want to go next. Next think about all of your key events, both personal and professional, think about those who had the biggest influence on you and also what had the biggest influence on you through your life to date (Music, sport, weddings, tragedies that made you stronger). You will be surprised how these key events unlock who you are and have been a major factor in influencing you in the past, now and in the future. If you are struggling, start writing the next chapters and even how you see the ending to your story. You never know where that may lead.
3. You are a unique product, tell me your key features. You will need a great answer to rhyme off what you can do for someone, what you will add to the role, however if a career change or upgrade, how will you rebrand yourself. What do you want to be that you can back up and start planning to putting development in place to help you get there.
4. Remember your audience. Who are you talking to line manager, hr, agency, CEO, investor? Whoever you are talking to make sure you have a think about the day they may be having, it may be to your advantage. Find out as much as you can about them, their dept and who works in it. If it is HR, why not talk to someone you know in HR (or find someone) and ask them what their role is like day to day or ask if you can speak to someone at the level or in the role you are applying for, it really will help. Lastly think about what they will really want to know and stick to that. Remember your stakeholders if there is a panel or more than one person interviewing you then ensure you find out about them and give them plenty of reasons to believe in your brand from their point of view too. 

It is tough out there but if you can rediscover what made you so special in the first place you can turn any job interview into a the life changing moment you have always dreamed of.