Competition for Accountancy & Finance Jobs Drives the Need for Personal Branding
There is so much competition for
jobs in accountancy and finance these days that you really have to go the extra mile to stand out amongst the candidates. One way to do this is to think of yourself as a brand or product and work on optimising your brand values so that you can convey what's good about you quickly and clearly.
Marketing Your Personal Brand
For example, when people buy a product, they look at its price, its benefits and its features and weigh those up in order to decide if it fits their requirements. That is very similar to the way a potential employer will look at you.
Personality Behind the Brand
The other factor that will be considered in purchasing a product is its brand this is separate from features and price because it's more about the image and personality behind the product. So it can be a useful exercise to think about any really successful or innovative brands and try to apply some of their key positive values to yourself, in order to build your own brand.
Be Clear & Concise about Your Personal Brands Unique Selling Proposition (usp’s)
When products and brands are advertising themselves, key considerations are clarity and brevity. The same applies to your core pitch about yourself to prospective
employers. The aim is to convey what your specific assets, strengths and achievements or unique selling proposition (usp’s) are in a compelling way, in as few words as possible. You should avoid waffle or jargon.
Market Research & Performance Benchmarking for Personal Growth
All successful brands conduct extensive market research & performance benchmarking to find out what customers and non-customers think of them and where they fit in the market. The equivalent for you is to investigate how your peers and current colleagues see you in terms of the impression you make and the reputation you have. Ensure that these views chime with the brand values you want to convey. If they don't, address the source of the problem.
Analyse the Research Results to Build Your Brands Core Values
Analyse the results of your research to reveal what makes you stand out in a positive sense & where you want to position yourself in the market to build your core brand values. Once you've constructed your brand, you can then test it on the same friends and workmates to ensure it's credible and convincing.
Your Brands Packaging or Appearance & First Impression
Another element of a good product is its packaging. This equates to the first visual impression a potential employer will have of you. It should make them feel confident in you and interested to find out more.
Finally, remember that if your true identity and personality is not at the heart of the brand you construct, this will show up in inconsistencies and under difficult questioning. So try not to over-claim because putting your true self in the best possible light is better than being all spin and no substance.
Written by Adam Tachauer of Circle Square - Financial Recruitment London
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