An introduction to personal branding

Branding used to refer just to distinguishing a manufacturer’s product from others. With the growth of the Web, especially social media, it has branched to what is now called personal branding, or the development of a person’s image to employers, networking connections and ultimately anyone online.

So what does this mean? The world, and most importantly potential employers, no longer needs to meet you in person to see your resume and find out more about you. They can just conduct a simple online search. This means you’re more visible, but it also means you need to monitor what is posted online – especially since some of it cannot be completely erased, even when you delete it.

The evolution of personal branding is therefore both a blessing and a curse. Personal branding can now help someone stand out from the crowd or shoot himself or herself in the foot (figuratively!) – through his or her social media presence, online portfolio and even what shows up in a Google search of his or her name.

“Beyond a Suit & Tie” is about moving beyond the former concept of focusing on a professional appearance and straightforward resume to developing a personal brand that reflects your voice and career goals.
For more on personal branding, here's the Personal Branding Guru William Arruda.