There are many ways in which to build what I call ‘the brand of you.’

As noted in yesterday’s blog, I recently spoke to about 75 PR agency interns at a Council of PR Firms event. The students in attendance were, understandably, most focused on how to ‘win’ their upcoming job interviews. But, until they’re able to point to real and relevant workplace accomplishments, intangibles like personal contacts and personality will determine their success. As will their ability to uncover the pain keeping the interviewer up at night and suggesting ways in which the intern might help ease that pain (it’s also a great way to get the interviewer talking, which is a key to winning an interview)..

Creating an individual brand isn’t easy. But, I’ve seen countless individuals at my firm do just that, inluding:

– one person who created an interactive cocktail reception to train staff at all levels in the art of networking

– an account executive who pitched, wrote and placed a co-bylined article on a subject of interest to her: multicultural marketing

– a staffer who took it upon himself to not only be our resident digital expert, but actually created our practice offering

– an account person who devised a job swap concept that’s involved my partner and me as well as two junior AEs (and resulted in our making significant changes to the way we do business).

Each one of these people have taken important strides in building their own brands. And, while I’d hate to contemplate any of them leaving us one day, the fact is that their accomplishments will clearly set them apart as they continue along their chosen career paths.

So, the next time you find yourself submerged in day-to-day account or administrative work, take a second to stop and think of smart and strategic ways to build or nurture the brand of you. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.