Guest blogger for Re:e-learn Therese Sinter - Marketing & Communications Director for Sogeti Group 

Dreaming of a successful career? You are not alone. Finding the right job at a company fitting with your values, aspirations and personality is not an easy task. So what is the smartest way forward? Well, there is no escaping it. You need to invest in your personal brand. It will most definitely boost your career. Not only getting you the job that you crave for, but also providing you constantly with new opportunities and slowly but surely a strong mandate to push and drive the progress within the areas you are passionate about.

Because let’s face it. You can be the most brilliant person in the world, but if no one knows about it you will probably end up disillusioned, in a position or role that you did not really dream about. And let me share a secret with you. Employers love people that stand out. That shows passion, engagement, curiosity and a willingness to step out of their comfort zone. Being successful, and simply put happy in any relationship, professional or personal, you need to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Making yourself visible is key, because who will see you, listen to your thoughts, opinions and ideas and share with the world how great you are if they do not know you exist?

And fellow women! A serious note! Even today, in 2013, you tend to be less visible than men. In addition you often sell yourself short while your male colleagues tend to do the opposite. That will, if you are not careful, not only make you appear less qualified, it will negatively affect your entire career and also your income. Personal branding is the perfect way to make yourself visible and it is really not that hard to get started on your personal highway to success.

Getting started

Forget about 5 minutes of fame. You deserve so much more. So, who are you and what motivates you? What words would you like to be associated with? What are you good at? You of all people should know ;-). Surprisingly many people that I have met have never really thought about it.

Create your brand. So, put words that describes you, your skills and what you are passionate about on a piece of paper. Let’s call these words your personal “sparkles”. Focus on your strengths and never tell your weaknesses in the same sentence as your strengths. Your entire personal branding will then get lost in space. If the famous Nordic Law of Jante  is getting in your way, ask people who know you for help. Make sure that the image you are creating of yourself is true and not just wishful thinking. Done? Great! Now choose the 3 to 4 strongest and most important sparkles on your list. No one will remember more than that. Your top sparkles will be the basis for your personal branding.

Tell someone else. The next step is to start sharing your sparkles, in bigger and bigger circles around you. Both face-to-face with people you know, or want to get to know, and of course in social media. Because have no doubt about it. Your future employer will check you out online before hiring you.

Try. Some of you might say, but I’m not an extrovert person and never will be! Then I would say social media is the perfect place for you to be, building your self-confidence by making yourself visible. It’s like working out to make your body fitter. If you do it once, the effect will be minimal. And the more you try the more confident you will get. Say yes when people provide you with small or big challenges. No need for a five year plan if you constantly step inside of the open doors your visibility will put on your path to success.

Excel. Whatever you do professionally, do it well. Step out of the shadows and try to stand out regardless if you are cleaning toilets, building a mobile app or serving a Big Mac. Expressing your opinion puts your engagement on display. This will strengthen your brand and you will be remembered.

Network like crazy. Use the networks online and the “live” ones to brand yourself and connect yourself to the right people. Check out the networks related to your personal sparkles and join them. Follow people online that are sources of inspiration to you. Try to inspire them in return.

Boost other people. Because you know what? They will return the favor. Be sure to communicate your personal sparkles to others and they will help you spread them.

Steal with pride. Just heard someone saying something smart, read an interesting article or a thought worthy tweet? Share it with others, reinforcing your own and other people’s brand.

Be personal. Push your skills that could be valuable in your professional life but always also share something personal that you are passionate about. This will sometimes open doors for you quicker than any professional skill because most things in life are about relationships. Your passion for shoes or sailing might actually be a common denominator with your future boss, that will push the scale to your advantage.

Personal branding works. I am living proof of that. My top sparkles are marketing and communication specialist, doer, passion, inspiration and shoes. Personal branding is a long-term investment in yourself. The sooner you start – the better. What are you waiting for? 

Therese Sinter is the Marketing & Communications Director for Sogeti Group, an IT-consultancy with 20,000 people in 15 countries and the driver for winIT, Sweden’s largest network for women in the IT Business. In 2012 she was one of four finalists for “Sweden’s most inspirational employee” award and won a regional award, “Communicator of the Year” in 2011. Therese is also a speaker at events around, inspiration, personal branding and corporate social collaboration.