Executive Branding: Is Your Executive Career Brand Authentic?

We’ve all met someone we didn’t entirely trust or believe what they say. Often, it’s because the person comes across as inauthentic; they say one thing but do another, pretend to be someone they’re not, or behave differently depending on who is in the room. In an executive job transition, portraying this image can cause you to miss out on prized employment opportunities.

Building trust, rapport, and respect with strangers are paramount in an executive job transition, and you need a foundational professional brand that communicates a unified message to do so. Your executive brand isn’t something you make up and put on display for others to see. It comes from articulating and understanding your personal values and unique value proposition through your executive career marketing documents and pre-employment conversations.

Luckily, revealing your authenticity is less daunting than it sounds! You don’t have to change your behavior or put on a show for anyone; you can demonstrate authenticity by being confident in who you truly are.

Executive Branding Tips for an Authentic Image

Consider the following:

  • Your brand message ≠ your elevator pitch. It’s not a unique speech that you modify based on your audience. Speak in your own voice, and your message will resonate with your target audience.
  • Being authentic is easier than pretending to be someone or something you’re not. When you relax into your natural self, you will feel more content, translating into your career.
  • Be honest, diplomatic, and kind. Your executive career brand conveys your ethical values and forges professional allies. Don’t let your ego get involved; authenticity is not built on self-indulgence or attention. Be honest without being “brutally” honest.
  • A promise made is a promise kept. In an executive job transition, your professional brand is your promise to your next employer. You must be able to deliver on what your executive brand promises. Deceit and lies have no place in professional relationships.
  • Focus on WHO you are, not your goals. Your executive brand is the natural combination of your achievements, talents, and interests—don’t mix these up with what you want to get out of your job transition. Define your strengths and differentiators instead of trying to fit a job description.

To find out how we can help you unify your authentic executive brand during your job transition, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.

Mary Elizabeth Bradford is the Founder and Executive Director of CEOresumewriter.com and Maryelizabethbradford.com and a past executive recruiter. A thought leader in the career services industry for over 20 years, she holds 5 distinct advanced certifications for senior-level resume writing, online branding and executive-level job search coaching (CERM, CMRW, CARW, MCD, NCOPE). She has been seen and heard in major media including Forbes, Time, WSJ, Newsweek and NBC affiliate stations. She holds 2 CDI TORI awards and is a top tier judge for the elite CDI TORI awards for four consecutive years. Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s elite team of award-winning, certified, top executive resume writers, former top executive recruiters, and global HR executives help many of the world’s premier C-suite, board members and thought leaders secure the transitions and compensation packages they want. She works with clients all over the globe.

If you are a Director, VP, CxO, or Board Member interested in an executive resume package or working directly with Mary Elizabeth, click to schedule a complimentary 15-minute call.