standing out and claiming your place in a crowded industry
How to stand out in your industry by developing a strong personal brand and being true to your values.
One of the most common things my clients come to me for, is support in getting noticed. Whether they’re changing career paths, working in a competitive industry, or they’re a small business owner who is fighting to become more visible in the online space, the question is always the same.
“How can I make myself stand out?”.
Here are 3 ways that you can stand out from a crowd in your career or business, without compromising your authenticity.
Get clear about your strengths
There are two parts to this tip. The first is about understanding your strengths. If you’re not sure what your strengths are, there are some great online diagnostic tools that can help. You can also ask those around you for feedback.
Once you know what your strengths are, it’s important that you have the language to promote them. Whether it’s a job application or a brand pitch, be persuasive in your language – and FORGET being humble. If you don’t sell your strengths, nobody will!
Craft your personal brand with intention
You’d be forgiven for thinking that personal branding was just for business owners, but personal branding for your career is just as important. If you really want to stand out, becoming intentional with your personal brand is key. Consider the questions:
- What do I stand for? What are my core beliefs?
- What are my long-term career goals?
- What key skills and attributes do I bring to the table?
- How am I presenting myself in person and on paper? Do the two align?
- How do I want people to feel when they engage with me?
- What are my top values and how are these represented in my personal brand and behaviour?
Be proactive about networking
Whether you’re looking for a new job or you’re promoting your business, networking is crucial. These days, more and more jobs are being filled without being advertised – and in small business, people buy from people.
Networking doesn’t necessarily mean attending networking events, so the introverts can breathe a sigh of relief! Networking is very effective on a one-to-one basis. Start by identifying a list of people you’d like to connect with and approach them for an in-person or virtual coffee. LinkedIn is a fabulous tool for both doing research and making the approach.
A final word
By focusing on understanding your strengths, developing a personal brand and connecting with the right people, you’re definitely going to stand out in a crowd. Just remember that the key with each of these points is to be intentional – it takes a little effort, but the pay-off is worth it.
