How can you use your personal brand to make a positive impression in a job interview?

1 Know your value proposition

Before you go to an interview, you need to have a clear and concise statement of what you can offer to the employer and why they should hire you. This is your value proposition, and it should be aligned with your personal brand and the job requirements. Your value proposition should highlight your strengths, skills, and achievements that are relevant to the role and the company. You should also be able to explain how you can solve their problems, meet their needs, or create opportunities for them.

2 Showcase your personality

Your personal brand is not only about your professional credentials, but also about your personality and how you communicate. You want to show the interviewer that you are a good fit for their culture and that you can work well with their team. To do this, you need to be authentic, confident, and enthusiastic. Show your passion for the role and the company, and express your interest in learning more about them. Avoid being too formal, stiff, or generic. Instead, use a conversational tone, smile, and make eye contact. You can also use stories, examples, or anecdotes to illustrate your points and show your personality.

3 Demonstrate your online presence

In today's digital world, your online presence is an important part of your personal brand. It shows the interviewer how you present yourself online, what you are interested in, and how you engage with others. You should have a professional and consistent online presence across different platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or your personal website or blog. You should also update your profiles regularly, share relevant content, and network with people in your industry. You can use your online presence to showcase your expertise, achievements, values, and goals. You can also use it to research the company and the interviewer, and to prepare some questions or comments for the interview.

4 Follow up with a thank you note

After the interview, you should send a thank you note to the interviewer within 24 hours. This is a simple but effective way to reinforce your personal brand and to show your appreciation and interest. Your thank you note should be brief, personalized, and professional. You should thank the interviewer for their time and attention, restate your value proposition and why you are a good fit for the role and the company, and mention something specific that you discussed or learned during the interview. You should also express your enthusiasm for the next steps and ask for their feedback or any additional information.

By using your personal brand to make a positive impression in a job interview, you can increase your chances of getting hired and advancing your career. Your personal brand is your unique selling point, and it can help you showcase your value, personality, and online presence to potential employers. Remember to know your value proposition, showcase your personality, demonstrate your online presence, and follow up with a thank you note.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?