The recent news that’s hitting you the most is of company closures, high unemployment statistics and job layoffs. The situation spins out of control as the employer rattles off justification and regrets. You face a tough time, collect yourself, gather your belongings and try to make a dignified exit. The fear of losing a job can cause a great amount of stress and anxiety among an individual and being laid-off can actually cause depression among many people who lost their jobs in the recent times. Lay-off anxiety occurs as a result of fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of the future, and fear for the survival of the family that makes this event a major crisis for them especially for people who are the only bread earners of the family. The people who gets laid off goes under a complete change in career, environment, and lifestyle. The threat of potential lay-offs is making many people to think about ways and means to survive in their respective jobs and remain valuable for their organization. If we are able to create a unique identity through self-branding, an employee can stand out from the rest at the workplace and survive any potential threats.

How do I stand out in a team?

By simply completing tasks assigned on time or working hard for longer hours, may not necessarily be the answer. The Human Resource department say that it takes more than just one’s work and job profile to be outstanding. This is where the role of an HR Manager comes into the picture of crafting your own “Unique Selling Proposition” (aka USP)

In an organization which employs thousands of employees, it is very essential for an employee to stand out. Employees should realize the importance of nurturing their skills, especially during tough times, so that they are on par with industry requirements. Also, they need to identify their strengths and work on improving them, so that they can excel in a particular domain.

How do you go about Branding Yourself?

Some of the ways in which one can create their own niche in an organization are:-

Asses your own brand value.

Have you ever thought of checking from your self that if I am not around, will anybody in the organization will miss me?? If the answer comes as ‘yes’ then you have to further work towards enhancing your brand value. And if your answer is ‘I am not sure’, then seek the opinion of your colleagues and team members. The first thing to do while brand-building is to identify the qualities and characteristics that give you an edge over the rest. Understand your strengths/abilities and use it towards your advantage at the workplace. Do a self SWOT analysis for yourself and identify area where you require an extra effort or improvement.

Interpersonal Relations at Workplace.

Maintaining good relations with people whom you deal with will also add to your brand value. One of the best ways to stand out is to actively participate in extra- curricular activities as it will demonstrate your organizing and planning abilities.

Self-branding is not an easy task. It comprises of identifying your best personality traits and displaying it, from time to time through enhanced performance and higher productivity. This will not only get you noticed but will also give you an edge over your colleagues.

How can I build my own Brand Image?

• Be a great team-player and a supportive colleague.
• Be passionate about your job and make others know that you are excellent in your particular task/job.
• Finish the tasks assigned to you on time with exceptional quality.
• Be proactive and discuss your views on improving things with your senior officials. Bring in innovations into your project/tasks to make it more efficient.

Tips for building effective brand image

• Define a vision for yourself (where do I want to be?)
• Identify key milestones to be achieved (how do I get there?).
• Know what your competitors are doing better than you.
• Know what you are doing better than them.
• And create a personal brand development roadmap for yourself.

Evaluate your skills and capabilities and then use them in the best interest of your personal brand development. Keep asking yourself, how can I connect my personal brand to every situation at work like business lunches or brainstorming sessions?

Clearly and consistently market your brand to your relevant audience, both effectively and efficiently. Question everything you do, every tool you use, every article of clothing you wear, etc. Are they consistent with your brand? Make sure that your brand is clear. Evaluate yourself on an ongoing basis and evolve your brand with time.

Your own brand building initiatives will not only create a satisfaction in minds of the your internal customers (colleagues, seniors, subordinates) but will also create a positivism in the minds of the external customers and stakeholders. This image has to be monitored and sustained in such a way so that it will help in your brand building within the organization and thereby creating a sense of belongingness, pride, self actualization and commitment in true words and spirit.