The Brand Called Me
This week, we read Ilana Gershon’s book, “Down and Out in the New Economy: How People Find (or Don’t Find) Work Today.” In it, she discusses how personal branding is marketed as essential, but actually isn’t. It is used more as a way to define which personality you are going to show professionally. One thing that she stresses is authenticity — “the brand one develops is supposed to reflect this authentic self.” (Gershon, 35). She also discusses a method of self-branding through choosing to describe yourself in three words; this reminds me of how I may sort myself into my Hogwarts house. As Gershon puts it, “people are supposed to sense the words that underlie your personal brand without explicitly being told what these words are.” (Gershon, 25). However, it can be difficult to blend together your brand and authentic self, as you first have to find that authenticity within yourself.
Even though Gershon is right in that personal branding does not necessarily make a job interview successful, I do believe that it is important to find this authenticity within yourself if you want to get the job you deserve. After all, if you do not know who you are, how would you be able to tell others? Thus, after much thinking and self-analysis, I decided that my three defining words/characteristics are:
- Loyalty
- Hard Work
- Compassion
Self-branding, while not a make or break quality when job hunting, is still one of the most convenient ways to get a read on potential applicants. All of my previous job interviews, I have always gone in and been asked, “Describe yourself in one word or sentence.” Thankfully, I have self-reflected enough to be able to answer accurately without selling myself short or being arrogant.
As for navigating the difference between my brand and myself, I actually don’t have much of a difference. The way I think of it, my brand should accurately depict how I am in all situations. Gershon says the same thing — “You have to believe a personality does not depend on context.” (Gershon 27). My common goal then is to remain loyal, compassionate, and hardworking in any situation I come across. However, at the same time, I must remain “normal” enough that people are not intimidated or think less of me. As Gershon says, “You have to be unique in the right way.” (Gershon 41). The line is fine, but I can manage to distinguish between the two with hard work.
