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�Personal Branding

Cardinal Women Network (CWoN) Lunch and Learn

February 2025

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Introductions

Jenny Chen

jennyjchen@stanford.edu

Talent Business Partner

Human Resources Group

Sharon Carroll

sharon.carroll@stanford.edu

Director, Executive Search and Services

Human Resources Group

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Agenda

What is a Personal Brand?
LinkedIn Profile
Stanford Profile/Bio
Breakout groups (Exercise and Discussion)
Q & A

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What is a Personal Brand?

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Slido (Poll)

Use your cell phone to scan QR code

OR

Go to slido.com, Event code #3420 374

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What comes to mind when you hear "personal brand"?

ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

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Your Personal Brand

The perception that people have of you
Start with facts

Identify your skills and strengths
Ask yourself…

What do I do that adds remarkable, measurable, distinguished, distinctive value?
What do I do that I am most proud of?

What do others say?

Ask your network, colleagues, peers, direct reports, etc.
Look at recommendations, references, emails/notes of thanks or recognition
Identify themes / phrases

Reflect on your career and other experiences that are not reflected in your job title. How might you create personal statements that describes your professional identities that holistically captures who you are?

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Your personal statement is….

Supports a larger goal others will care about

Bold

In line with what you do or aspire to do

Relevant

Synonymous with how others describe you

Authentic

Memorable and easy to understand

Notable

Separates you from others who are similarly situated

Differentiated

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Create your personal statement

Convey your unique promise of value

Remember that it is always evolving and needs to re-evaluated periodically

Consider different statements for different audiences / purposes (i.e. personal versus professional)

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Personal Brand Statement Formula

I am (professional identity) who helps (my audience) do or understand (unique solution) so that (transformation/benefit).

I am

(professional identity)

who helps

(my audience)

do or understand (unique solution)

so that (transformation/benefit).

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Action Plan

Planning: Define and Develop

Strategy: Communicate

Evolution: Re-evaluate

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Non-linear Career Paths

Identify Common Treads

Focus on Growth and Adaptability

Telling a Compelling Story

Emphasize Versatility

Align with your Values and Purpose

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To streamline your personal brand, even with a non-linear career path, the key is to focus on the transferable skills, values, and themes that have been consistent throughout your journey. Here’s how you can approach it:

Identify Common Threads: Even if your career path has been varied, there are likely skills, passions, or values that have stayed constant. Maybe you’ve always been a problem-solver, a strong communicator, or someone with leadership potential. Highlight those qualities, and show how they have contributed to each role or phase in your career.
Focus on Growth and Adaptability: A non-linear career path can actually be a strength! It demonstrates your ability to adapt to new challenges, learn quickly, and grow in diverse environments. Position yourself as someone who thrives in change, brings fresh perspectives, and is willing to step outside their comfort zone.
Tell a Compelling Story: Frame your career as a story where each shift or pivot has been part of a larger narrative. Connect your experiences in a way that shows a clear progression toward your current expertise and goals. People love a good story—show how each chapter has shaped who you are today.
Emphasize Versatility: With a non-linear career path, you likely have a diverse skill set. Emphasize how this versatility enables you to approach problems from multiple angles, solve complex challenges, and contribute in a variety of ways.
Align with Your Values and Purpose: Streamlining your brand doesn't mean hiding the twists and turns in your career. Instead, use them to communicate your values, your mission, and what drives you. This helps your audience understand your unique journey and how it aligns with your current direction.

By framing your career as one of growth, adaptability, and valuable experiences, you can create a strong, authentic personal brand, no matter how non-linear your path has been.

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LinkedIn Profile

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LinkedIn Profile

Why is a LinkedIn profile important?

Networking within your industry leads to referrals
Build your network inside and outside your industry, alma mater
Track your professional milestones
Stay in touch with professional colleagues, past and present
Stay up to date with industry trends
Job specific industry support by joining User Groups
Post jobs, news articles, which increases visibility

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Tips to a great LinkedIn profile

Your BANNER is valuable “digital real estate”.
Your TAGLINE (under your name) is your personal brand statement.
The ABOUT section:

Why follow you, How to follow you
How to get in touch
A story about you

Add various sections to showcase your skills and expertise
Add relevant work, education, skills
Request recommendations

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LinkedIn Profile

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LinkedIn Profile

Join a User Group related to your interests

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LinkedIn Profile

Who are you following?

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Public Profile Setting

Personal URL
Create a badge to add to resume or other websites

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Stanford Profile

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Stanford Profile

Upload CV, NIH Biosketch, Resume
Add a photo
Contact information
Bio
Current Role at Stanford
Honors and Awards
Education and Certification
Projects
Service, Volunteer, and Community Work

https://profiles.stanford.edu/

Patents
Personal interests
Links
Professional interests
Work Experience
Skills and Expertise
Professional Affiliations and Activities
Publications
Presentations

Public View and Stanford only view

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Stanford Profile

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Breakout Groups

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Personal Brand Statement

I am (professional identity) who helps (my audience) do or understand (unique solution) so that (transformation/benefit).

I am

(professional identity)

who helps

(my audience)

do or understand (unique solution)

so that (transformation/benefit).

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Personal Brand Statement

Example:

I am a keynote speaker and high performance coach
who helps leaders
to build their authority, leverage their influence, and deliver high impact results,
so they can become Impact Makers creating careers that they love, and living lives that matter.

Reflect on experiences beyond your job title�How can you craft a personal statement that fully captures your professional identity and your holistic self?

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