Polish your personal brand

  • Due Dec 4, 2023 by 7am
  • Points 4
  • Submitting a text entry box, a media recording, or a file upload

 

Boughen B 20__ cartoonsbyjim.com = I must say Jeff there's something about your personal brand.jpg

www.cartoonsbyjim.com Links to an external site.

 

By now you have developed a good idea of the resources that you bring to a potential career.  You've already practcied your "personal brand" earlier in the course.  Now it is time to polish this statement, which you can express in print, in person, and online.

Read this first

 

Complete these steps

1. Rewrite it.  Rewrite the brief description of your personal brand from the start of the term (about 250 words or one page).  This is different than writing a resume or crafting a LinkedIn site -- it is a concise narrative of who you are, who you hope to become, and how you might add value to an organization.  You might think of it as an introduction that you would provide at a job fair or in an informational interview.  You can't say everything about yourself, your hopes, and your dreams in your short brand description, but you can provide enough unique interest to give an interviewer plenty of opportunities to follow up on specifics as your conversation progresses over email or in person.

2. Review it. Compare the personal brand that you've written to the draft you composed earlier in the semester.  Think about what's different, if anything, about how you're describing yourself now that you've worked through the rest of the course.  

3. Adapt it.  Now use your 250-word written brand description to develop a 90-second narration of your personal brand that you can speak to someone from memory.  (Sometimes this is called an "elevator speech".)  Do not just read the written brand description; instead, talk your way through the highlights in a professional but conversational way.  Imagine you are talking to an employment recruiter at a career fair, for example, or introducing yourself at the start of a sit-down employment interview.

4. Turn it in as a text statement. Once you are finished editing your statement, upload the document to Canvas using the button on this assignment page (as a PDF or Word file).

5. Practice it.  Now your challenge is to translate this written introduction into a 90-second spoken introduction.  Talk through your introduction a few times to see if you can deliver it naturally and confidently.  You will probably have to change the wording from what you wrote -- that's normal.  

6. Record it.  One of the best ways to practice your personal brand speech is to make a recording of yourself performing it, and then review that recording to evaluate your effectiveness.  Using a computer with a webcam and microphone, or a tablet/phone with a selfie camera and microphone, record yourself performing your introduction speech.  Your speech should be about 90 seconds long, but the exact timing isn't as important as making a recording that is clear and crisp that you are comfortable with.  If you mess up halfway through, start over.  

7. Turn it in (again) as a video file.  Once you have recorded and reviewed your speech performance, upload this video file to Canvas, again using the button on this assignment page, to demonstrate to your TA that you have practiced and recorded your speech before delivering it "live" in discussion section. 

8. Perform it.  You'll once again perform this brand during your next discussion section.  Your goal is to deliver a more professional and engaging performance than your first attempt at the beginning of the semester.  Dress in a way that makes you feel confident and professional.  Do not read your personal brand -- you should have it memorized.  But don't worry -- with all of the thoughtful reflection and preparation you've done, your brand will shine!

  

Notes on this assignment

  • One way to compose your personal brand is to use the "present-past-future" method as described on the career advice site The Muse Links to an external site.: "First you start with the present—where you are right now. Then, segue into the past—a little bit about the experiences you’ve had and the skills you gained at the previous position. Finally, finish with the future—why you are really excited for this particular opportunity."    
  • Public speaking is never easy, and some students find it more stressful than others.  That's why we're practicing this crucial task in a safe, supportive classroom environment full of fellow students who are also figuring out their career goals just like you.  Being nervous is natural -- see if you can channel that energy into your speech, to convey your enthusiasm for your future.
  • Practice it.  You should practice this narration first in front of your friends, your family, a cat, or a mirror in order to become comfortable with it.  You should be able to narrate your personal brand in a natural way, without notes; notes will not be allowed in the presentation.
  • Dress in a way that makes you feel both comfortable and professional.  Avoid both extreme ceremony (no formalwear) and extreme informality (no sweatpants).  Usually a "business casual" outfit is best.  (If you would like help assembling interview-appropriate wardrobe, SuccessWorks has a rotating supply of garments that you might explore.)
  • Make sure to start your presentation by saying "Hello" and stating your name (even though your class will all know who you are).
  • Don't worry if you find public speaking stressful; everyone does.  Engaging with your audience through eye contact and gestures can make you feel more comfortable.  And remember to speak a little more slowly than you might usually, since nervousness often makes us quicken our speech.  
  • Be attentive and respectful when other students are giving their own personal brand presentations, so you can provide good peer feedback.
  • A friendly smile often helps!
  • Refer to the following handouts from SuccessWorks to set the proper tone for your speech: Dress for success Download Dress for success and Guide to interviewing Download Guide to interviewing
  • You might want to consult the BadgerStudents page on preparing for interviewing Links to an external site.
  • The advisers at SuccessWorks have great advice and workshops for interview preparation that can help with this kind of career-related public speaking.
  • Your TA will have further advice for making effective presentations, and will answer any questions you have, but remember: the best advice is simply practice, practice, practice!
  • How does your personal brand reinforce and extend what is already present on your resume and your LinkedIn site?
  • Is your personal brand more about who you are right now, or who you want to become as your career progresses?  
  • How difficult do you find it to speak in front of an audience -- especially about yourself?  Do you think others share these challenges?
  • What kinds of experiences can you explore to improve your public speaking skill?

  

Videos

  • A set of examples of effective and not-so-effective personal brand speeches from CNN:

 

  • Here's a TEDx presentation on designing a personal brand from Tai Tran:

 

  • Advice on building a personal brand on LinkedIn from Philip VanDusen:

 

  • Finally, some L&S alumni recommendations on personal brands:

 

To learn more

 

1701694800 12/04/2023 07:00am