This past week I was in the car on the way home from the gym when I realized I was following one of the gym’s personal trainers, who I have talked with a few different times. We were on a straight road with side streets, and it was a nice morning.
There was a runner on the side of the road waiting to cross when the car in front of me (the trainer) slammed on her breaks letting the runner go. While it was a nice gesture, it was the wrong timing. I, in turn, had to slam on my breaks, since I wasn’t expecting this, hoping that the car behind me had the time to do the same.
In reaction to all of this, I honked my horn, which seemed like a perfectly normal response given the circumstance. However, immediately after this, the trainer throws her hand out the window and you guessed it – throws me the bird.
My jaw dropped.
Not only did this throw off my entire morning, but it got me thinking about personal brand. Let’s face it, your appearance matters, a lot. We all strive to be intelligent, professional, and polished. No matter your surroundings, you need to keep this in mind. We all have a place where we can let go and be whoever we want, but the trainer had no idea who I was, or weather I held any importance. I may not ever directly impact her, but if I have friends who are looking for a personal trainer I will forever remember her colorful gesture, and recommend a different trainer.
As a recruiter I help coach candidates all the time. One of the most frequent coaching tips I help with is personal brand. This can range from posting on social media, to communication style, to how to best dress for an interview. Unfortunately in life we may only have one shot at something, and if you do not put your best foot forward you may be significantly limiting yourself – even hurting yourself. To ensure you set yourself up for success, follow these incredibly simple rules:
1. Think before you speak – this is something we’re told when we’re children. And for good reason. It is extraordinarily important to be a measured communicator. A slip-up of speech can easily tarnish your personal brand. It’s best to err on the side of caution with this one. Often times the words not said, or in my case the gesture not given, are the most important words of all. I often think of a quote from Winston Churchill on this, where he said, “By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.” Taking the critical few seconds to think before you do, although small, is a big differentiator between a good personal brand and a bad one.
2. Always look the part – dress for the job you want, right? Your attire is a definite reflection of yourself and your attitude. A disheveled look does not send the positive personal brand message you want it too. Whether you like it or not we are all judged on our appearances. Understanding the importance of looking the part will go a long way to establishing a stronger, more resilient personal brand.
3. Be mindful of what you put on the Internet – as a recruiter you’d be surprised how careless I find people to be with their social media accounts. The advice I’d offer: leave the pictures from Friday night’s party off your Facebook. Your personal brand will thank me later. Yes, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are social sites where you can shed off the work persona and be yourself. But, you need to understand that in the modern work environment, your work persona never really comes off. What you do in your free time is your prerogative, but what you post on the Internet and social sites are a representative of the company you work for. Make sure you represent yourself and your company respectfully on social media.
Of course we will all slip up on this, but use every moment of failure to train for a moment of success. If you need help with your personal brand, and making sure you are putting your best foot forward – I can help with that!
Recruiters are experts at recognizing a strong personal brand, and are just as good as helping you craft an even stronger one.
Let eQ be your brand ambassador, send me an email anytime (jfaulise@entrequest.com), I am happy to help.
