WESSA Groen Sebenza Handbook 2021

Building your professional brand

In the environment sector, it is common to hear people say 'the sector is small'. That doesn’t refer to the amount of people working in the sector, rather illustrating the interconnectedness- in one way or another people have crossed paths. You can use this to your advantage by always marketing your professional brand, in a subtle but significant manner. There are a number of ways to build your professional brand and impress your current and future employers.

Who needs to know me to help me achieve my goals?

What are my greatest accomplishments?

What is my current reputation?

Here's some questions to explore:

Building your brand is an introspective process. Decide what you would like to be known for and work your way back from there. Consider these steps:

Understand yourself: Align your brand to your values and priorities.

Be true to yourself: Always be authentic. That is when real connections form.

Pro tip: Set up a strong LinkedIn account. Keep it accurate and regularly updated. Connect with people in your area of interest. Create and share relevant content that helps you stand out.

Inspire others: This allows you to be memorable.

What & how you speak: The content you share, always be updated on developments in your area of interest

Be consistent: set and maintain your own standards

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