5 WAYS TO ADD PERSONALITY TO YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

By Tifanny Rawls

When it comes to presenting yourself as an ideal job candidate for potential employers, you are typically told to do so via professionalism: having outstanding resumes, wearing business clothes for interviews, being punctual to interviews, giving interviewers direct yet cordial greetings, maintaining eye contact with interviewers, answering questions fluidly and thoroughly, and parting from interviewers gratefully.  
However, there is another type of presentation that is just as important but often neglected: personality. Revealing your character allows you to stand out among your competitors better than a piece of paper, polished outfit or practiced words would. Hiring managers come across hundreds, even thousands, of other candidates with the same standard qualities. You need to be special to capture their attention. 
The best way to do that is to simply be yourself by: 

1. Creating a logo 
The epitome of a brand is its logo. When people look at them, they automatically know who it belongs to and what it means. Each one is unique, acting as an identifier for a single entity. Having your own logo will make it easier for your audience to recognize you. Use tools like Canva to help you personalize it with your favorite colors, fonts, animations, and designs to get noticed in the crowd. 

2. Making a slogan
Just as logos are a visual representation of a brand, slogans are the written representation. They tell your audience what you are about in a way that is catchy and meaningful. Flex your creativity by playing with length, word choice, imagery and symbolism to define yourself in the job market. Display your slogans on your platforms and any personalized merch. 

3. Building a website 
Websites are an online home. They are the place where everyone goes to learn more about you on the Internet, the shelter of all your history and values. Having your own website invites your audience to discover where you come from—what you have done, what you want to achieve, why you do what you do and how, and other places you frequent. Site builders such as WordPress let you make yourself at home with aesthetics and features that feel true to you. 

4. Having a social media presence 
Being on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube open your audience to the interesting side of you that documents fail to show. Companies already get a sense of your work persona from those, but they have no idea about the image you have in your personal life. Posting topics involving your hobbies, interests, friend, and family help humanize their perception of you and turn you into someone multidimensional, rather than remain just another name. 

5. Doing cover letters 
Most employers require both resumes and cover letters for job seekers to be considered. Although, some of them are satisfied with a resume alone. While it is tempting to ditch cover letters when they are not necessary, doing them anyway can be the difference between getting and not getting an interview. Cover letters offer a glimpse into your personality. Writing about your personal experiences, accomplishments, setbacks and goals help show your audience you are a unique person with a unique journey, making a well-rounded profile. 
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Prioritizing personality alongside professionalism is key to optimizing your chances at landing your perfect job. Try out these tips, and I guarantee you will get closer to that reality. After all, first impressions are the ones that last the longest. ​