Is Personal Branding Necessary for All Careers?

Dear Experts, I keep reading these articles about selling yourself and your image. I can see where all of this is very true, for sales people, managers and executives, but I wonder if it applies equally to other fields. For example, I am in the semiconductor industry, my talents are largely in the technical area. Social events and selling are difficult for a lot of technical people. I can imagine being able to sell myself being helpful, but I have no skills for doing that and am not good at small talk. I don't think I am going to interest people with a lot of technical talk. Do you have any insight for these kinds of jobs? Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter:Q#438 Personal brand=consistent image/message in resume, cover letter, social media =highlight your core value to employer. (@juliaerickson) Q#438 Branding isn't all selling yourself, it's being intentional about the impressions you make- and that transcends. (@EmilyBennington) Q#438 It's just your way of expressing yourself. Make sure the real YOU stands out, that's what matters. (@beneubanks) Q#438 You're selling/promising results! What does your employer need to achieve via you performing your job right? (@resumeservice) Q#438 Every1 has brand. What matters is what u do w/ it. 1st look at skills, 2nd look at their needs. Overlap is your brand. (@JoshuaWaldman) Q#438 Small talk is more than talking technical at work. Try attending network events to work on your networking skills. (@gradversity) Q#438 A solid work ethic, the ability to engage and help others be at ease transcends career paths. Develop social skills. (@DawnBugni) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.