personal branding mistake

Often, when I speak with a new client about personal branding or when I get a question from someone on this topic, there are two questions that keep resurfacing. They are, “How do I develop my personal brand without sounding self-important and pompous?” and, “How can my brand be authentic if I’m tweaking it for different job opportunities?”RELATED: 3 Examples Of Great Personal Branding Left to their own devices, I often see people’s confusion result in the following: Concocting a “personal brand” that’s really not a brand at all- It’s just a vague description of something they have experience with. Example: “Ten years experience in project management.” (Or: finance or marketing, etc.) The problem: Lots of people have ten years’ experience in project management. It doesn’t tell us what sets you apart. When you’re in the market for a new position, a personal brand should be developed in conjunction with your focus so it speaks to the hiring person of that specific field. Keep in mind an employer’s bottom-line question – even if it is not asked – is whether you are worth your money. They want to know what you can do for the organization that makes it worth their while bringing you on board. Hiring is an expensive process! A wrong hire is extremely expensive. Communicating your personal brand gives the people you network and interview with something specific and memorable – or at least it should! Here are the answers to those questions – and your tips – to make sure you’re not committing “brand suicide.” You stay authentic by, of course, by...