Understanding Your Personal Brand
Interviews are a two-way street: it’s not just about showing you have the right skills for the role but also about demonstrating who you are and what you stand for.
Your personal brand is crucial in this process. Too often, candidates feel they need to conform to a generic, scripted persona to land a job. However, the most powerful brand is the one that is authentic to you — whether you’re ambitious, laid-back, or somewhere in between. Being yourself during the interview is essential, and it’s about finding the balance between presenting your skills and staying true to your unique values and personality.
Before you can present your personal brand in an interview, it’s crucial to understand what it is. Personal branding is about how you present your skills, values, and personality to others. It’s the sum of your experiences, values, and beliefs, as well as the way you communicate these traits.
Here’s how you can start identifying your personal brand:
- Reflect on Your Strengths and Values: Think about what you stand for in both your personal and professional life. Are you known for your leadership, problem-solving, or creative thinking? Are you someone who values collaboration over competition, or do you thrive in more independent, innovative environments?
- Analyse Feedback from Others: What do colleagues and friends say about you? Do they admire your ability to bring people together or your unrelenting work ethic? Identifying recurring themes in feedback can give you insight into how others perceive your brand.
- Consider Your Career Story: What experiences have shaped who you are today? Reflect on your professional journey — the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned — and how they contribute to your personal brand.
- Being Yourself: Not Just About Ambition. One of the key elements of personal branding in interviews is presenting yourself authentically, even if your personality doesn’t fit into the typical “ambitious, go-getter” mould.
Take the senior manager I coached a few years ago, for example. He didn’t want to present the usual, scripted answers that could have made him sound like every other candidate. Instead, he focused on his strengths — a collaborative approach, a thoughtful decision-making process, and a calm demeanour in stressful situations. He didn’t want to present himself as someone he wasn’t or pretend to be who he thought the interviewers wanted, but about presenting the best version of who he was.
Personal branding isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Your ambition may not manifest as an aggressive pursuit of success, but it could appear as a dedication to continuous learning, a passion for mentoring others, or a commitment to delivering quality work. Don’t be afraid to show up as your authentic self in interviews, even if that doesn’t fit the “traditional” definition of success. Companies want to hire people who bring real value and authenticity to the table.
The Importance of Authenticity
Staying true to yourself during an interview helps establish trust with the interviewer. They can sense when someone is being disingenuous or over-rehearsed, and it’s much harder to maintain a false persona long-term. Authenticity is not just about telling your story; it’s about demonstrating it through your actions, tone, and body language. By being consistent in how you present yourself, you build credibility and create a connection with the interviewer.
Packaging Your Brand for the Role
While it’s essential to be yourself, it’s also important to tailor your personal brand to the specific role and company you’re applying to. Here’s how to do that:
- Know the Company’s Values: Before the interview, research the company’s mission, vision, and culture. Align your personal brand with what the company values most, whether that’s innovation, teamwork, or customer-centric service.
- Show Your Unique Fit: Demonstrate how your values and strengths align with the role. For example, if you’re applying for a leadership position but aren’t the typical “hard-driving” leader, you can focus on how your inclusive leadership style brings out the best in others and fosters collaboration.
- Highlight Relevant Experiences: Share stories that reflect the key qualities needed for the role. If the job requires adaptability, discuss how you’ve successfully navigated change in your previous roles. If it’s about results, share examples of how you’ve delivered success in a unique, authentic way.
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” — Jeff Bezos
Presenting your personal brand during an interview isn’t about fitting into a mould; it’s about showcasing the real you, with all your strengths, values, and experiences.
Whether you’re an ambitious go-getter or a calm, thoughtful strategist, your personal brand should reflect who you are and how you’ll contribute to the company. By staying true to yourself and understanding your unique value, you can create a lasting impression in any interview.
Are you ready to present your personal brand authentically and confidently during your next interview? If you need help identifying and packaging your brand in a way that resonates with potential employers, I can help. Reach out today to learn how personalized interview coaching can help you shine in your next interview and land the role you deserve.
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