Advancing in Your Career

Enhance Your Career by Being Identified Like a Brand

About 2 min read

SCSchool for Champions LLC

When a person looks for a new job or a promotion at work, he or she is given some form of identification by management. That identification may be according to the job title and perhaps including some added characteristics, such as hard working or skilled. Would being known as–for example–a hard working accountant be sufficient to move you above the crowd?

Many people would like to be better identified in their jobs or professions, but they really don’t know how. One approach is to think of yourself as a brand, just like you think of major products.

Questions you may have on that idea are:

What makes a brand?
What is brand identification?
How can you be identified as a brand?

This lesson will answer those questions and explain this interesting concept to help your career. There is a mini-quiz at the end of the lesson.

What makes a brand?

Let us take a look at some popular products and services that have brand names.

Coca-Cola is the brand name of a soft drink that has a certain taste and an identifiable logo and bottle shape.
Ford is the brand name of an automobile that is distinguished from other brands by its features, looks, and capabilities. You also can recognize the Ford logo.
Swisher is the brand name of a commercial restroom-cleaning service. Their name distinguishes them, as does the type of service they provide.

Brand identification

You can identify certain brands by their names, logos and appearance. Movie and TV stars also have a brand identification through their names, looks and sound of their voices. Once you identify the brand, you then associate its characteristics and perhaps quality–good or bad.

Being identified like a brand

Likewise, you would like people in your industry to identify you as a brand. This is an effective metaphor and may be useful in separating you from the pack.

When someone sees your name, you would like them to know what special features and skills you bring with you.

You want your superiors identify your name with admirable traits.

But how do you do that? Is it really feasible?

Summary

By emphasizing special features and style, your name can be identified as similar to a brand by those in your field. This could very well enhance the advancement of your career.

See the Side Menu for more Career lessons

You need to know who you are before you can tell others

Resources

The following are resources on this subject.

Websites

Career Resources

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

QUIZ

Self-check your understanding

When you see a brand name, what do you think of?
Special features or characteristics of that brandCorrect answer. You are becoming a Champion. The cost of the itemGood try, but not right. Select another answer. How it compares with other brandsSorry, not correct. Try another button.
Is considering yourself a brand demeaning?
It shows bias toward non-brand peopleSorry, not correct. Try another button. No one wants to be brandedOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again. It is merely an effective metaphorThat's correct. You win a bonus point.
What can association with positive features do for your career?
You are expected to do more than you care toGood try, but not right. Select another answer. It can enhance your careerCorrect answer. You are becoming a Champion. Only more pay enhances your careerOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again.

Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Advancing in your Career. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

What do you think?

Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Also see Answers to Readers’ Questions.