In today’s competitive business environment, personal branding has never been more important. The way we present ourselves, our experiences and aptitudes is integral to career success.

How does your personal ‘BrandYou’ stand up against the competition and are you making the most of it? LinkedIn asked some of Europe’s leading brand experts for advice on how to treat, nurture and measure your brand. Take the first step and see how your BrandYou compares to some of the world’s most famous brands! This is just for fun, so don’t worry, no data will be collected or shared.

Engagement

Are you a leader within your industry? What are your professional achievements? Do you communicate them well to others? What’s your work experience and your career background? Do you have a network of trusted contacts who know you to be credible and an expert in your field? To be a true leader in your industry you’ll be engaged with the right connections. That means being informed about your industry, involved within your professional community, and able to share your expertise with others. By doing this you’ll be recognised as a true professional and be known for your BrandYou throughout your career.

Question 1

How often do you personally attend professional networking events?

Question 2

How often do you participate in professional networking communities online?

Question 3

How often do you read offline or online media related to your profession? Think journals, trade magazines, blogs, etc.

Question 4

Do you have any professional qualifications beyond university, for example industry specific certifications?

Question 5

How many years experience do you have in your current job/industry?

Question 6

Ok, be honest: how would you describe yourself professionally?

Question 7

It's not just about you. How would your colleagues/friends/family describe you professionally?

Question 8

Have you ever received any awards, professional acknowledgements or other public acclaim?

Question 9

Do you have a clear vision for the next five years of your career?

Question 10

Do you have a clear vision for the next 10 years of your career?

Reputation

How good are you at communicating your expertise? How does this vary across your professional and personal life to present a compelling BrandYou? Building your reputation is about identifying appropriate opportunities within and beyond the workplace to profile your skills, knowledge, experience and contacts. This goes beyond who you are professionally and looks at your personal credentials, hobbies and other interests that shape and promote BrandYou.

Question 1

How often can you be found networking live in a personal capacity? Think sporting clubs, charity associations, interest groups etc.

Question 2

How often do you network online in a personal capacity? Think Twitter, Facebook, blogs, MySpace etc.

Question 3

When on a social network do you talk about professional or industry-related topics?

Question 4

When on a social network do you talk about current affairs?

Question 5

When on a social network, do you talk about family and friends?

Question 6

Does your professional role regularly bring you into contact with clients, customers or partners outside of your home country?

Question 7

Do your personal interests regularly bring you into contact with family, friends or acquaintances outside your home country?

Put together by and our friends on the The BrandYou Board

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