Your brand appearance is your first impression - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Your brand appearance is your first impression - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Before you can even get a word in or start dictating your core message, you are screened by your audience.   Think of your packaging, just like a product and how you want to convey your personality and competency through it.   Without knowing exactly who you are, your package is all that recruiters or other members of your audience can view.  Your appearance is in your full control, but how you appear to your audience is in theirs, so focus on how you think they perceive you and you will succeed.   For interviews, dress in a suit, have good posture and have a positive attitude.   Without even using your mouth, your appearance will show interest and credibility.   But to get here, you need to appear as though you already have these qualities.   Many people ask me how do I appear online? and I always respond how do you feel you appear?   I do this because I am interested in their viewpoint before I can give a detailed explanation.   There are far too many people for you not to focus on your appearance.   Through social networks, such as facebook and myspace, you are dependent on your appearance to get you through the door with those outside of your network.   For businesses, you must sell yourself, before customers will buy into your corporate brand, which is why you need to appear like you have experience and dress the p art. Here are some pointers:     Be consistent with your appearance and personality     Customize your package to reflect your audience     Focus on your unique qualities and incorporate them     Ensure that your packing has a shiny wrapper (think of a gift box)     BE YOURSELF!