Washington County Weekend Post

We all like to look our best. We look in the mirror in the morning before leaving for work, check our teeth and iron our clothes. A professional brand assessment can offer the same level of cleanup for your online presence. You would never show up to work looking anything but your best. So why would you not put the same care and dedication to how you are perceived as a professional? Some questions to consider: How do you appear to others? What are your areas of expertise? What professional value do you bring to the table? Understanding your professional brand is not just about assessing your skills and attributes. It's also about how those skills and attributes are presented. A professional brand assessment can be approached in four steps. Google Yourself If you've never Googled yourself, consider doing so. Others do. Before you are called for a job interview, hiring managers are certain- ly performing an online review of your personal brand. And you should know what other people are finding out about you before they even meet you. If you have a professional website or online portfolio, this is a good way to see if it appears high on the list if someone types in your name. You want to be sure that your accom- plishments pop up and that their mentions outweigh any criticism of you. Analyze Your Social Media If you don't have a strong presence on pro- fessional social networks, such as LinkedIn, then work on a plan to improve your position. LinkedIn is a great platform to create and publish original content. Find under-used key phrases in your industry and start pro- ducing great content. Your thoughts on a topic are valuable, and you never know whom your words will reach or help. Producing and publishing content is an investment in your cultural capital. The more you publish under your name — whether on LinkedIn, a personal blog or mainstream publication — the more likely you are to be seen. Create a Mission Statement The best leaders have a mission. Creating a mission statement is all about placing your- self and your business in the best possible light. There is an art to storytelling, and great storytelling is invaluable for connect- ing with your audience. This also includes your "elevator pitch" — a quick 60-second persuasive speech that communicates what you do and what your goals are in a way that sparks interest. When you can talk about yourself in a concise and compelling way, you've laid the groundwork for others to engage in a deeper dialogue with you. Put Together a Plan Where do you see yourself in five years? Where would you like to be? The answers to these questions don't have to be specific, but continue to ask yourself follow-up questions until you get there. The answer to where you want to be in five years might be that you just want to be happy. So, what will make you happy? And how can you make that happen in your career? It is important to ask yourself these questions because the answers will make your goals more concrete and easier to break down into manageable benchmark goals. By assessing your professional brand on a regular basis, you are ensuring you are always looking your best. Your brand is your professional introduction. Make it a memorable one. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • 3B GMTODAY.COM CAREERS .COM Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds SERVICES .COM Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds CARPENTRY LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING PAINTING There are many impor- tant things to consider when looking to improve your home. Many questions may be rolling around in your head as you consider taking on a home renova- tion project. Some of these questions may be related to cost. Others may be focused on quality and return on your investment. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, you need to have a good idea of what you're looking for, how much you have to spend and what kind of timeline you're consider- ing. The beginning of a project is the most critical component to make sure you're clear on. The good news? A helpful local home services professional is right around the corner ready to help turn your plan into a reality. What's your goal? Are you adding an extra bedroom this summer? Building a barn? Laying down a new hardwood floor? No matter what type of project you're starting, it's critical that you build a plan and stick with it. One of the easiest ways to break your budget is to add smaller projects on top of your original one. By adding more work, you're adding to the cost of materials and labor if you're using a home services professional. Work with your contractors to set realistic expectations before breaking ground on your project. This will help you earmark a specific amount to keep any extra spending to a minimum. It will also help keep you and your contractors on the same page from a timing standpoint. Making big changes? Revamping your home's structure in any substantial way requires more design and engineering work. This means it will likely cost more money and take more time, according to NARI. Before committing to a major project that will alter the structure of your home, ask yourself the following questions: ■ Can I afford such a large project? ■ How old is my home? ■ Will the changes add to the overall value of the home? ■ Do I have the right contractors picked out for the multiple phases of the project? Once you understand what type of cost, contrac- tors and timeline you're looking at, you can feel more confident in moving forward with your project. © ADOBE STOCK How to start a project right Assess your personal brand

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