5 Truths About the Brand of "ME"

There is no denying it, we are each our own individual brand. We may not be completely conscious of this, but it is indeed true. We have all of the components of corporate brands and then some. If a brand is what people are saying about you when you aren't around, the brand of "Me" is the reaction that people have about you once you leave the room. It is the image that you display to your friends, professional networks, and to yourself on a daily basis. 

Thanks to technology, it is extremely easy for us to reach and impact our audiences, even if we don't intend to. Whether it be through hundreds of Twitter followers, Facebook friends, or likes on Instagram, we do things every day that add to other's image and perception of the brand of "me."

5 things can almost always be determined by the story being told via your "Me" brand:

1. Your Vision - What is your vision for yourself? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? The next ten? Do you project longevity, or do you come off as flighty? Are you working for the greater good, or for your own self gain? All of these questions can be answered when looking at your "Me" brand.

2. Your Mission - Why do you do the things that you're doing? Are you applying for an internship because you want to learn and grow from the experience? Do you take extra time out of your week to mentor or help other students find their way. All of these things speak volumes to who you are and what you stand for. The same way that companies have mission statements, you should create one for yourself as well!

3. Your Image - How are you portraying yourself to others? I'm talking physically and virtually here. Do you take pride in your appearance, showing up to interviews and networking events dressed appropriately? And on social media, are you putting your best tweet forward? All of these things add up to be the image that people have of you. You always want to make sure that your brand of "Me" is creating the best possible image of who you are.

4. Your Values - Your values are the things that are important to you that define the ways you work and live. The values that you showcase on a daily basis help people determine if they want to work with you, hire you or even be around you in general. The values that you display to the world everyday matter more than you may think.

5. Your Outcomes - Finally, where do you want to end up? No matter if it is an internship, future job or even the city you want to move to after graduation, the story told by your "Me" brand can help or hinder your success. 

So consider this: what is your "Me" brand saying about who you are and what you do?