When you hear the phrase "personal branding," does it conjure up polished Instagram images of the Kardashians and lifestyle bloggers? We get it, but personal branding is an important step in building a successful IT career—and it doesn't have to feel forced or fake.
Not sure how to get started? CompTIA IT Pro is here to help: On Monday, March 26, we’re launching a social media campaign dedicated to teaching IT pros (and aspiring IT pros) the ins and outs of personal branding, why it matters, and how to do it effectively and authentically.
To get a preview of the tips and tricks that will be coming your way, we talked to Lesley Everett, internationally acclaimed speaker, author and specialist on personal branding, who was instrumental in creating many of these materials. Here's what she had to say:
Why is personal branding important for IT pros and students?
Learning how to take control of your personal brand is important for everybody, whatever level you work at.
For students, to have the skills and toolkit to manage your personal brand and establish your values and what you want to be best known for at an early stage in your career, will position you perfectly for maximizing the opportunities that may come your way. Furthermore, it will enable you to spot and create the opportunities too. It's no longer good enough just to do a great job—you need to manage your career more like an entrepreneur, and take control of your own PR and marketing. Remember, your personal brand is what people say about you behind your back. Being authentic, visible and consistent is what you need to strive for.
For IT pros, you may want to ensure that you package all your experience and expertise in a way that positions you as a leader in your field, and to be well known for what you bring to the company or the industry. For you, your legacy may be important too. By polishing up and packaging your backstory, your experiences and your expertise, you can project this as a solid professional brand to position you where you want to be in your career and industry.
What can IT pros and aspiring IT pros expect to learn from the CompTIA IT Pro branding materials?
You'll gain an understanding of why your authentic personal brand is important, a framework to build it, and a strategy for implementing it and keeping on track. You'll have more clarity of what you really bring to the table, your true value and worth as a professional and a clearer plan for moving forward.
If CompTIA IT Pro members only take one thing away from the branding materials, what would you want it to be?
Building your personal brand is not only crucial for your career, but is fun too and makes your professional life easier and more rewarding.
Don't miss out on this special branding series.
Like and follow the CompTIA AITP Facebook page and keep an eye out for the personal branding materials beginning Monday.
About Lesley Everett
Lesley Everett is an internationally acclaimed professional keynote speaker and specialist on personal branding and the personality of the brand. She has presented her Walking TALL Methodology in 26 countries across 5 continents to date. She is a published author of 3 books (latest Corporate Brand Personality - Kogan Page, 2016) and is an Executive Brand Coach. Her clients include many organizations across all sectors including Salesforce, Oracle, Microsoft, Marriott Hotels and HSBC as well as various charities and associations. She is the founder of Walking TALL Training & Consulting, Inc, with offices in UK, US and Hong Kong. She has created a methodology for Personal Branding that has inspired audiences for the past 15 years.
