Personal Branding Resources for University Students

There are many guides out there. Choose the framework that works best for you. Here are some other resources that can help.

“How to Build a Personal Brand That Will Impress Even Oprah” by Samantha McLaren, LinkedIn Talent Blog”
https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/recruiting-tips/2019/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-will-impress-even-oprah 

“Your Personal Brand Workbook” and video on Personal Branding

• This free workbook from Price Waterhouse Coopers takes you deeper than a checklist. https://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/campus/assets/img/programs/personal-brand-workbook.pdf 
• This short video features someone who used the Personal Brand Workbook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgmQUqedxBc

Web Audit Checklist
When you audit your social media, make sure to check the following. Take note and plan to edit or delete any unprofessional content (pics of you partying, negative reviews you’ve written, pinterests of pranks you like, etc) 

• Google: In Incognito mode or logged out, Google search your name, any handles or logins you use, and your email address. 
• LinkedIn: Make sure you delete any content that doesn’t serve your brand, including high school jobs unrelated to your future direction, or volunteering to sell Girlscout cookies!
• Twitter/Instagram: If you want a personal account, use a fake name or handle. Make sure your twitter and instagram attached to your personal brand are professional.
• Yelp/Amazon/Google Reviews: If you write bad reviews, from now on, unless it’s part of your brand, make sure they do not associate with your professional image.

Find opportunities for Association and Recognition

• Try to claim your online personal brand custom URL and make it consistent when you can (for example, I try to get “counselorchloe” whenever possible). 
  • Claim these sites if you can: LinkedIn, Google Plus, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress, YouTube, Reddit, Pinterest, About.me, AngelList, Medium, SlideShare, Telegram, Vimeo, and any relevant professional sites. 
  • Get domain names/make website associated with your personal brand (can be your name).
  • Find networking opportunities with relevant to you professional associations. 
  • Volunteer to speak, provide interviews, and do work that will be recognized.

Personal Branding Step-By-Step Based on components in the book Platform: The Art and Science of Personal Branding by Cynthia Johnson

1. Know yourself: who you are and who you want to be
   1. Identify your unique strengths - What makes you you
   2. Think about the kind of person you want to be (versus the job you want to do)
   3. Set and summarize your intentions  - This is your brand!
      1. Optional: Google “brand statement” and write one. 
   4. Define your audience so you can customize your messaging.
   5. Note: You can Google each of these topics for more tools and resources. 
2. Align your image to set your foundation
   1. Seek feedback from others: How do others describe you? 
      1. Look for opportunities to grow from feedback.
   2. Ego search: How does the outside world see you? Do an audit. Google “personal brand audit” for ideas. Also see the checklist later in this worksheet.
   3. Fix problems: Remove or edit identified problems.
3. Enhance Personal Proof: Education, credentials, and achievements
   1. Understand what kind of person you want to be in your career. 
   2. Identify what proof you have, and highlight it abundantly.
   3. Add to your personal proof, always throughout your career. 
   4. Note: Where to show your Personal Proof: 
      1. Offline: Your resume, professional networking.
      2. Online Profiles: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Websites, etc.
4. Enhance Social Proof: Followers, references, referrals
   1. LinkedIn: Seek recommendations, endorsements, and referrals
   2. Create and market useful content: If it’s useful, people will follow you
   3. Schedule your social media.
   4. Note: Content can include articles, blogs, vlogs, tweets, instaposts.
5. Enhance Success by Association: UNC, internships, employers, volunteer
   1. Enrich your affiliations: Participate actively with your affiliations. Example: attend or speak at PD events, and highlight these on your profiles.
   2. Remove affiliations that don’t serve you well. 
   3. Strategically add affiliations: Develop affiliations where there’s mutual benefit. Ex: Volunteer strategically, and write about it. 
6. Enhance Success by Recognition: Awards and distinctions, speaking engagements
   1. Get noticed. If applicable, enter competitions, apply for awards. See awardshub.com
   2. Seek opportunities to speak: Join panels, interview on podcasts (listennotes), network and tell people you’re available (speakerhub speakermatch).

Worksheet - See Google Doc for the actual handout on Page 3

3 Words That Describe How Others Might See You












3 Words on How You Want to be Seen (your best self)












For Later: Words That Describe How Others Do See You 
Survey people and work to make changes if needed






Action Plan: Write down at least 3 steps you plan to take moving forward.