Create Your Career Path and Establish Your Brand

Embarking on career planning is a journey of self-discovery that involves exploring your passions, interests, skills, and values. It can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. In this guide, we will explore some tips and strategies to help you navigate the process and find a fulfilling career. 
Create Your Career Path and Establish Your Brand


Know Yourself Colour

Know Yourself

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Know The Industry Colour

Know The Industry

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Define your Personal Brand Colour

Define Your Personal Brand

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Communicate your Personal Brand Colour

Communicate Your Personal Brand

Learn more


01

Know Yourself

Know Yourself


To identify the type of profession that is right for you, you need to start with yourself, by defining your VIPS.

Defining these will help you find a job that aligns with who you are, what you are interested in and what you are good at.

VIPS

Image source: CareerGuide



Get started on your VIPs:

2

Try out some assessment tools to help define your personality, skills, interests, and values.  



02

Know The Industry

Know The Industry


Once you have a clear understanding of your VIPS it is time to explore which industries will be a great match for your interests and skills.  






When you have narrowed down your list of top industries and roles, you will want to make sure you stay up to date and gain relevant skills.  





Career discovery chats via informational interviews 

Video source: Stanford Life Design Lab

Desk research is helpful, but if you want to find out what it is really like to work in the industry, you will need to talk to people who already do! 

Find working professionals and seniors you can connect with for an informational interview. There is no better way to really find out if it is right for you! 



How to find candidates for informational interviews?  

1

Reach out to other working professionals in your target industries via LinkedIn.

2

Ask for referrals via friends, family members, colleagues, and anyone else you meet!



03

Define Your Personal Brand

Define your Personal Brand


When you have a good understanding of what you can offer your chosen industries, it is time to create your personal brand. But what exactly is a personal brand? 


A personal brand communicates who you are and the value you bring. It is the image and reputation you project, and how others perceive you.





Follow these four steps to develop a personal brand to stand out in a crowded job market: 

Build your brand with authenticity. Be true to yourself and maintain consistency across all channels and interactions. Consistency fosters trust and enables others to understand what to expect from you. 



04

Communicate Your Personal Brand

Communicate your Personal Brand

Communicate your brand via your online profile 

Communicate your brand via your online profile

Image source: PersonAcclerated

Your online profile is your permanent place to showcase your brand to potential employers, your network and your peers. As LinkedIn is the top professional networking site, it is essential to create a professional LinkedIn profile in order to find, and be found by potential employers. 

download Download this checklist to ensure you have all the basic elements to create a great LinkedIn profile.

linkedin Once you have created your profile on LinkedIn, replicate it on other networking sites and reach out to a wider network:

  • Industry associations / Volunteer organisations
  • Create your own personal website

Communicate your brand via personal introductions

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” 

Your personal brand should be reflected in every communication you make, online and in person, and it should be conveyed to everyone you meet.

Create and practice your own self-introduction to:

  • Make a positive first impression
  • Establish credibility
  • Be memorable

Here are five questions to craft a memorable self-introduction: 

What sets you apart

What sets you apart?

What is it you would like to be known for

What is it you would like to be known for?

What problems do you solve

What problems do you solve? 

What are you passionate about

What are you passionate about?

What change you would like to make in the world

What’s the change you would like to make in the world?



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Want to know more about defining your VIPS, personal branding, and finding a career that’s right for you?


Register for CFG’s essential career courses based on your year of study:

Career Catalyst

CFG1002 Career Catalyst

For year 1 or 2 undergraduates.

Learn more

Career Advancement

CFG3001 Career Advancement

For year 3 or 4 undergraduates.

Learn more



You can also reach out to your career advisor for tailored advice about finding the right career for you! 


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Ask CeeVee