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In today’s competitive job market, skills alone aren’t enough. Employers, recruiters, and even potential business partners want more than just a CV; they want a story.
That story is your personal brand. Whether you are preparing for interviews, seeking a promotion, or looking to expand your influence, the way you package and communicate who you are often makes the difference between being remembered or forgotten.
1. Crafting Your Career Story
The foundation of a strong personal brand is clarity. You need to be able to describe not just what you do, but the value you bring.
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An AI-generated image of person in a job interview
Most professionals introduce themselves with a job title, but that rarely leaves an impression. Instead, think about your career as a story that positions you as the solution to a specific need.
For example, instead of saying “I’m a marketing professional,” you might say, “I help brands turn data into campaigns that sell.”
That one sentence immediately communicates impact and makes you memorable.
2. Polishing Your Digital Footprint
Once you have your positioning clear, the next step is to look at your digital footprint.
An AI-generated image of person in a job interview
Today, most recruiters will look you up online before even inviting you for a conversation. What shows up on Google or LinkedIn becomes part of your brand, whether you’ve curated it or not.
A strong LinkedIn headline should go beyond your job title to capture the difference you make.
Something like “Helping companies cut costs through smarter supply chains” tells a far stronger story than “Supply Chain Manager at X Company.”
Social media should also reflect a consistent image, even if it’s casual.
READ ALSO: Importance of candidate experience in Kenyan hiring processes
3. Communicating Your Brand in Interviews
When it comes to interviews, your brand should guide how you communicate your answers.
Most people struggle with “Tell me about yourself” because they ramble through their CV or give a generic life story.
Using the SEAT method gives your answer a clear structure, highlights your brand, and makes you memorable.
Start with S, which represents your skills and qualities that fit the role. Then move to E, which involves highlighting your experience or education.
‘A’ stands for key achievements you have made in your career. Finish with T, which shows the type of employee you’ll be for the company.
An AI-generated image of person in a job interview
4. The STAR Method
During the interview process, you are likely to encounter questions that put you in certain scenarios, and recruiters may ask you to shed more light on certain aspects of your career, achievements or other relevant information you have provided in your CV.
The STAR method involves describing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It is useful, but what sets you apart is weaving your brand identity into those stories.
If your brand is “problem-solver,” then every answer should reinforce how you identified and resolved challenges.
5. Building Proof of Your Brand
A personal brand isn’t just about what you say; it’s about what you can prove. Anyone can claim to be innovative, hardworking, or strategic. What creates credibility is evidence.
Sharing insights on LinkedIn, highlighting measurable results on your CV, or building a simple online portfolio all provide proof.
A statement like “handled social media” is forgettable, but “grew engagement by 40% in three months through targeted campaigns” is persuasive and concrete.
6. Turning Weaknesses Into Brand Strengths
Almost every interview includes the dreaded “What’s your greatest weakness?” question. This is a golden opportunity to demonstrate brand authenticity.
Instead of giving a rehearsed, clichĂ© answer (“I work too hard”), tie your weakness to your growth story.
For example, if your brand is about being detail-oriented, you might admit that you used to over-analyse tasks, but you’ve learned to balance thoroughness with efficiency.
An AI-generated image of person in a job interview
7. Connect Without Feeling Fake
Forming connections also plays a crucial role, but many people approach it with dread because it feels forced or transactional.
The truth is, connections are about curiosity and value, not just technical bonding.
A simple shift in approach makes all the difference. Instead of asking, “How soon will I get promoted if I get this job?” you could ask, “What opportunities are there for professional growth and learning in this role?”
Not only does this open up genuine conversation, but it also positions you as someone eager to learn.
8. Staying Consistent
The thread that ties everything together is consistency. A personal brand only works if it is reinforced at every touchpoint.
Your CV, LinkedIn, interview responses, and even the way you casually introduce yourself should echo the same message.
If your brand is built around being an innovator, then your online posts, resume examples, and professional conversations should all reinforce that theme.
Over time, these small steps compound into a powerful personal brand that opens doors, attracts opportunities, and ensures you stand out in the moments that matter most.
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