Personal Branding, is it worth it?
Does this sound familiar?
You're out with your friends and tried to remember one of their names, but just couldn’t? Instead, you ended up describing them by something they’re known for, like “the tech guy” or “the Instagram girl”? We’ve all been there. It happens because certain things about people stand out to us, even if their names don’t pop into our heads right away.
Maybe you’ve also said things like, “the guy who’s always at the gym” or “the girl who takes amazing photos.”
Just like companies, what comes to mind when I say "Apple" or "iPhone"? You might think of things like simplicity, security, or innovation. Or if I say "Toyota" you might think or reliability and durability
So, whether we like it or not, we are also Brands! We tend to remember people based on what they do or how they act, not just by their names.
This can also go in the wrong direction. Apple can be branded as "overpriced" or having "limited customization," and the same applies to us too. People might brand us with unwanted labels like "the lazy guy," "the gossip girl," "Mr. Always Late," or "the drama queen."
So, why leave it to others to brand us?
"Building your personal brand is not just an extra thing to do; it’s a necessity in today’s world."
What is a Personal Brand anyway?
Your personal brand is simply what people say about you when you are not in the room.
Your personal brand is your intentional reputation
It is what makes you... YOU
It is how you present yourself to the world by showcasing your unique skills, values, and personality. By being authentic and consistent, you can build trust and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Why should I care about my Personal Brand?
If I use my talent and work hard, the results will speak for themselves, right? WRONG! Your achievements and talent don’t have a voice! Most of the time, you need to market yourself, though in a few rare cases, you might not.
Now imagine, fast forward a few months or years from now, you’re celebrating your graduation from Zayed University. All your hard work and sleepless nights have finally paid off. You've achieved something great—no doubt about it! But guess what? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of graduates from ZU and other universities across the UAE who have put in the same effort and dedication and are heading toward the same job market. So, what makes you any different?
This is where your personal brand comes into play. Building your personal brand early during your journey at ZU can do the following:
- Differentiate you from others: By showcasing your unique skills, experiences, and values, you'll stand out in a crowded job market.
- Create opportunities: A strong personal brand can attract employers, recruiters, and industry connections who resonate with your vision and abilities.
- Boost your confidence: Knowing who you are and what you offer will give you the clarity and self-assurance to navigate your career path more effectively.
The job market in the UAE nowadays is highly competitive, and you need to put yourself out there in front of employers to showcase your strengths and your achievements.
There are many examples of talented Emirati individuals who have worked on their personal brands and set a great example of leadership and entrepreneurship such as: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Her strong personal brand as a trailblazer in politics and business has made her one of the most respected leaders in the UAE, or Anas Bukhash, A well-known speaker and entrepreneur, his personal brand is centered on motivational content, leadership, and personal development.
Building Your Personal Brand
The best way to build your personal brand is to be YOU. You don’t want to copy someone else you admire and pretend to be them. As I mentioned earlier, the competition in the job market is fierce, and the only way to stand out is to be yourself. Once you become YOU, who else can be YOU except YOU!
Here are the 4 steps to build your personal brand:
1.Discover your best version
You are a mix of so many things, but we want to brand and show the world your best version that can take you ahead from competition, to do that you need you explore and recognize your:
- Values
- Your Strengths
- Your Personality
- Your Vision
This may take a little while, explore it and don't rush it, and once you "packaged" your best version it is now time to create your story.
2.Create your story
in order to create your story, ask yourself the following questions
-Who are you?
-Why do you do what you do?
-How can you add value?
-How can they tell your story to others?
for example:
My love of learning and passion for working with introverted people have inspired me to tutor introverted students and pursue a university degree. This will enable me to continue helping them improve their personal brand and open doors to a better life.
Now you have a story to tell, so let’s tell the world about it
3.Tell and do “YOU”
Now that you know your best version and your story, it’s time to communicate this to the world by doing the following:
-Hone your communication skills
-Know your elevator pitch
-Dress and look like “YOU”
-Be active on LinkedIn and other social media platforms
-Stay human and authentic
So, after following all these steps, you have the perfect "Personal Brand," right?
Wrong!
Just like any other human, no one is perfect. You might miss something here or there, or perhaps you used the wrong social media platform.
4.Continually evaluate and improve your PB
At this stage you need to keep a close eye on how you are performing and analyze the results, to that you may need to:
-Assess your visibility
-Gather feedback
-Reflect on your actions
-Implement changes
Don't hesitate to change your strategies or let go a tool that wasn't useful.
It’s crucial to understand that building a personal brand may take time before it pays off, so consistency is key. Keep working, reviewing, reworking, adjusting, refining, and improving as you go until you find the formula that suits YOU best.
Ahmed Hamdan
Ahmed-Hamdan.com
Ahmed G. Hamdan - Zayed University | LinkedIn
