Get started on your personal branding journey

Step 1: Decide on a personal brand

Ready to shape your personal brand? Here's a game-changing framework—the WISH DC guide written by the interns of Washington Intern Student Housing LLC —to unlock your true brand identity. It's all about decoding your niche.

Step 1: Specialization and expertise—What sets you apart?

Step 2: Uniqueness—How do you stand out?

Step 3: Perception—How do you want others to see you?

Step 4: Passions—What drives you?

Step 5: Target audience—Who are you reaching?

Step 6: Needs and wants—What do they seek?

Once you pinpoint your target, tailor your message and style to suit them. You'll unveil your distinctive personality by answering these questions, allowing hiring managers to grasp your exceptional qualities effortlessly.

Get ready to unleash your brand power!

Step 2: Reflect and understand who you are

1. Embrace introspection for personal growth

Set aside dedicated time regularly to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Use journaling, mindfulness, and meditation to delve deeper into your self-awareness. Ask meaningful questions about your values, passions, and goals. Seek feedback from trusted sources to gain valuable insights and perspectives. Be patient with yourself as you grow.

2. Read books and articles about personal branding and self-discovery

These resources offer valuable knowledge, guidance, and insights to help you better understand yourself. They provide frameworks, practical tips, and exercises that deepen self-awareness and reflection. Authors' perspectives and experiences can challenge your thinking and inspire new insights. Success stories and case studies provide inspiration and motivation for taking action.

Here’s how I did it

As a student who may not have much work experience, you may wonder how your extracurricular activities contribute to your personal brand. Your extracurricular activities can be a great way to showcase your skills, talents, and personality. By participating in activities that you are passionate about, you can create a personal brand that is authentic and unique. Take mine as an example:

CCA 1: Modern Dance CCA

• Unique skill set: Dancing shows that you are creative, coordinated, disciplined, and have artistic expression. These skills make you stand out from the crowd and add uniqueness to your brand.
• Enhanced confidence: Dancing can boost your self-confidence, stage presence, and ability to present yourself confidently.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Dancing requires teamwork and leadership skills. This shows that you are able to work effectively with others.
• Expression of passion and dedication: Dancing demonstrates your commitment, passion, and willingness to invest in personal growth.

CCA 2: Malay Cultural & Muslim Society Club

• Cultural competence: Being involved in a cultural club shows that you are inclusive and respectful of diversity. This enhances your brand as a culturally sensitive and open-minded individual.
• Community engagement: Active involvement in a community club demonstrates your commitment to community engagement. This shows that you are capable and proactive.
• Personal growth: Connecting with your cultural and religious identity through a community club reflects your willingness to grow as a person. This shows that you are proud of your background and able to thrive in diverse environments.

On top of my CCAs, I also do content creation on the side.

• Showcase creativity: Creating content on TikTok allows you to express yourself, share your talents, and highlight your creative abilities. This makes you stand out as an innovative and imaginative individual.
• Engaging with the community: Engaging with your audience on TikTok shows that you are able to connect with others, collaborate, and build a supportive network. This strengthens your brand as a community-oriented individual.

Step 3: Remember to stay on brand

When you’re consistent, people associate you with certain values and qualities, which builds recognition and trust by maintaining a consistent image, values, and messaging. Furthermore, it enhances credibility, differentiation, and growth by aligning actions with brand values, reinforcing your unique identity, and fostering long-term relationships. Here are tips to do so:

1. Being open to feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on your brand. To improve, you need to know what you lack; this drives personal growth and improvement by learning from others. It enhances your self-awareness, helping you align your actions with your personal brand.

2. Being willing to adapt

Your brand is not set in stone. As you grow and learn, your brand will evolve with you, you must always be willing to adapt your brand as needed. This is important to remember as it will keep you current and relevant in a changing landscape, help you meet evolving audience needs, and foster stronger connections. Lastly, enabling you to seize new opportunities for growth and advancement.

Step 4: Network with people of similar interests and friends

Establish your brand by networking strategically. Here are some specific benefits of each of these activities:

1. Attending industry events:

• Build connections with your peers: This can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and career opportunities.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends: This will help you stay ahead of the curve and be more marketable.
• Learn from keynote speakers, panel discussions, or workshops: This will help you gain new skills and knowledge.

2. Attending social events:

• Build genuine connections with like-minded individuals: These connections can lead to valuable opportunities and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Discover new possibilities: You can learn about new industries or opportunities through the connections and insights of the people you meet.

3. Joining online communities:

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends: This will help you stay ahead of the curve and be more marketable.
• Learn from other experts: You can learn from the experiences and insights of other professionals in your field.
• Position yourself as an authority: By consistently contributing valuable insights, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

In conclusion, building a powerful personal brand as an intern is your key to unlocking job opportunities and standing out from the crowd. By showcasing your unique strengths, skills, and personality, you can establish a positive professional reputation that opens doors for success. Remember to embrace self-discovery, invest in personal growth, and navigate your personal branding journey with clarity and purpose.

Now that you're feeling inspired, take the next step to kickstart your career by exploring job opportunities on Wantedly. It's time to unleash your potential and make a lasting impact in your chosen field. Your personal brand is waiting to be unleashed, so seize the opportunity and let your journey begin.