Hello and welcome back to Be What Works. In this episode, which is the last in the series on taking a career break, we'll focus on how this can be a season of redefining your personal brand and future goals.
Taking a career break can be a pivotal moment - a chance to pause, reflect, and chart a new course for your professional future. During this time, it's important not only to take care of yourself but also to work on building your personal brand and setting clear goals for what comes next. And to be honest, maybe like me, you have never even thought about what your brand is. Your personal brand is more than just a logo or tagline - it's the essence of who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to be perceived by others. By using your career break to define and refine your brand, you can position yourself for success when you're ready to re-enter the workforce or pursue a new opportunity. At the same time, this period allows you to thoughtfully consider your long-term aspirations and map out actionable steps to achieve them.
One of my favourite speeches was the commencement address delivered by the late Steve Jobs at Stanford in 2005. To paraphrase, he said that “sometimes the dots only connect when we look backwards”. But what if you use the career break to intentionally build your next dots or connection points? With intentionality and self-discovery, a career break can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change and growth.
Your personal brand is the unique combination of your skills, experiences, values, and personality traits that make you who you are. It's how you present yourself to the world and the impression you leave with others.
There are four main elements in defining your personal brand:
a) Knowing and Owning Your Backstory
We are all on a journey. What has yours been, and what events, experiences, and actions have brought you to where you are? The challenges you have overcome, the lessons you have learned, and your past experiences connect to your purpose, vision, and values. Your perceptions and how you see the world can only be through your backstory. Your backstory forms the foundation of your personal brand, offering a narrative that others can connect with. During my career break, I realized how pivotal my passion for youth education and people development was in shaping my leadership skills. As I work to uplift others and connect them to opportunities for growth on their journey to self-actualization, I continue to hone the values of empathy and authenticity to define me.
b) Know your "Why"
At the core of any strong personal brand is a clear "why" -- the driving reason behind what you do and the lens through which you make decisions. Understanding your "why" will lend authenticity and direction to your personal brand. It's the through-line that ties together your past, present, and future. To define your "why," ask yourself: What drives you? What are you passionate about? How do you want to make an impact? My "why" is driven by a passion for empowering others to excel in learning and personal growth. I am passionately drawn to providing access to resources to those who would otherwise not reach them. It stems from my having been privileged to access education and training in leading global institutions through scholarships. I want to use my experiences and skills to create programs that support professional development, ensuring others have the tools and confidence to succeed.
c) Identify your unique expertise
Your personal brand should clearly communicate what you can provide thought leadership or expertise on. This is your thesis -- the area in which you excel and can offer valuable insights. By establishing yourself as an expert, you build credibility and attract opportunities aligned with your strengths. What problems do you solve particularly well? What unique insights or perspectives can you offer? Honing in on your areas of specialty will make you stand out and give you credibility. In my case, having a science background through training and then a career in education and people development, I am working to clarify the areas of expertise that I want to be known for. Remember, you must have clarity and create visibility here. Consistently sharing your knowledge and insights, whether through writing, speaking, or multimedia content, will raise your visibility and reinforce your brand's core messaging. It showcases what you have to offer in a tangible way.
d) Anchor your current goals to future ones
While long-term goals are essential, setting immediate, actionable goals is equally important. These goals provide a sense of direction and accomplishment as you work towards your bigger vision. They should be specific, measurable, and aligned with your overall brand. Consider what you are currently working on and how it contributes to your personal brand. Share updates and progress with your network to demonstrate your commitment and drive. Even if the outcome from your career break is uncertain, a clear vision and optimism will guide you to where you want to be. It will allow you to move closer to clarifying what your future goals are.
Your future goals can be broken down into three components:
Short-term: Start by identifying some concrete, near-term objectives. These could be related to building new skills, expanding your network, or taking on a new challenge. Having a clear roadmap for the next 6-12 months will give you a sense of direction. Currently, as I take my career break and in between my travels, I am polishing up on my profile, building a personal professional website that showcases who I am, strengthening my online presence, and learning how to use digital tools for content creation and sharing.
Mid-Range Goals: Look a bit further out and envision where you'd like to be in 3-5 years. This could involve transitioning to a new industry, launching your own business, or taking on a leadership position. Reverse-engineer the milestones you'll need to hit in order to make this vision a reality.
Long-Term Aspirations: Finally, think about your big-picture dreams and ambitions. What legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to positively impact the world around you? These loftier goals will serve as a guiding light, infusing your daily actions with deeper meaning and purpose.
In summary, to effectively build your personal brand, consider these strategies:
Set Yourself Apart: Your personal brand is about what makes you unique. Highlight your strengths and unique qualities that differentiate you from others.
Science and Logic: Personal branding is both an art and a science. It involves a systematic approach to consistently presenting yourself in a way that resonates with your audience.
Consistency and Authenticity: Show up consistently and authentically. Your personal brand should be a true reflection of who you are, creating clarity on what makes you unique.
Be Memorable: Think about how you can leave a lasting impression. Whether it's through your communication style, your expertise, or your personal story, strive to be memorable.
Self-Promotion: If you don't promote yourself, no one else will. Use your personal brand to be visible and highlight your achievements and capabilities.
Accountability & Support: No matter what goals you set, it's important to have mechanisms in place to keep yourself accountable. This could involve regular check-ins with a coach or trusted friend, joining a peer mastermind group, or documenting your progress in a journal.
A career break is not just a pause but a powerful opportunity to redefine and build your personal brand. By crafting your backstory, understanding your "why," establishing your expertise, and setting immediate goals, you can create a compelling personal brand that sets you apart and positions you for future success. Remember, your personal brand is about being authentic, consistent, and unapologetically you. Embrace this time to reflect, redefine, and reemerge stronger and more focused on your career journey.
And with that, we come to the end of this 5-part series on Career Breaks. Thank you for following along, and I hope you have enjoyed and learned something from it. Feel free to reach out should you have any questions that I can answer on the topic. Until next time, this is Dr. Beth from Be What Works. Bye bye!
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