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We most commonly associate a brand with a company or product – like Nike, Coca Cola, Virgin or Apple.  When we think about a well-known brand, we can typically associate immediate words and feelings based on what we know of, or how we have experienced the company or product – for example, innovative, trust-worthy, global, unique, fun, a good employer etc.

In this digital age, almost every individual now has a personal brand. For most of us, we’ve had little conscious thought around how we have cultivated our brand, but they exist nonetheless. As a senior school student who probably exists on a number of digital platforms, how are you cultivating a positive personal brand?  How do others see you? What do - and will - they say about you? What can employers find about you online?  Based on what they find, what impression will they have? 

Branding extends to how you also interact with others, how you behave, how you apply yourself – whether it be in sporting, schooling or community activities, and more generally, your attitude.

It's time to start thinking of yourself as a brand

So, as you complete your schooling and consider life beyond, how are you best positioning your brand to ensure the best possible opportunities are available to you? How would your parents, friends, teachers, sporting coaches, or employer describe you? What words would they use? Are they consistent in their descriptions? Are you brave enough to ask? This can be a highly worthwhile activity to do – as it’s these people who will potentially be your referees, who may recommend you for opportunities or offer an opinion when asked by others.  If you’ve ever heard of the phrase, ‘your reputation precedes you’, it’s because others are building up an impression of you, often based on another (trusted) source.  

Audit your online presence

Most, if not all, employers will head right to one location when considering a potential candidate – GOOGLE.

As a young person, you are in a position to take control of your online presence and ensure that your privacy settings are strict/high, that you cannot be tagged in posts by other people, and in turn, you are not posting inappropriate content, or content that would not be viewed favourably by an employer. It is recommended that you regularly Google your own name to keep tabs on what may appear, and what others may be able to learn about you.

Make school work for your brand

School is the perfect opportunity to build a brand and set yourself apart – volunteer, complete work experience (and do it well!), join a group that is aligned with your interests (eg SHINE Media, debate team, music groups), play sports, and get involved in community and schooling events and activities.  Demonstrating initiative, leadership and teamwork during senior school years, through these types of activities, is critical in setting you apart from others.

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