Professional Career Women Tips on How to Change Your Personal Brand for a New Job

When you change careers, it can be both exciting and scary. You feel like you're ready to take on new tasks one minute and then question whether you really have it all together the next. It's not enough to just update your resume when you're getting ready for a new job or a career change. You need to also change your personal brand and style to show who you are now and where you want to go next.

People see more of your personal brand than what they see at first glance. It's how they see and understand you. It shows how your skills, strengths, and ideals fit together in a way that is clear and makes a difference. This is what will help you stand out and move forward with clarity and confidence during times of change.

Here are some ways to deal with this change, make sure your personal brand fits with your work goals, and stay true to yourself.

1. Take a moment to check in with yourself

Don't rush to buy new clothes or change everything on LinkedIn. Take a moment to think about it. Where are you now? Where do you want to go? Not only should your personal brand show what part you're taking on, but it should also show who you are becoming in that role.

Say you're leaving a structured business job for a more creative one. Your style and brand should become less formal and more expressive. If you want to be a leader, you need to find a style that shows power and shows how you lead, whether that's through collaboration, inspiration, or assertiveness.

The goal is not to start over, but to make your appearance better so that it fits with your next job. To make the right choice, think about how you want to feel in your new job.

Tip: Write down three words that describe how you'd like people to see you in this new phase. It could be powerful, sure of itself, or easy to talk to. You can use these words to help you choose what to wear and how to act on social media.

2. Think about how you balance your work and personal life.

One mistake I see women make a lot is separating their personal and work lives into two different styles. In reality, your brand and style should go together whether you're at a business meeting or just out for coffee on a Saturday morning.

You do not need two closets if you dress for both work and personal reasons. With elevated casual, you can easily go from work to personal life because it's the right mix of dressy and casual. Consider getting a jacket that fits well or pants that look good on everyone. These can be worn with softer fabrics or more casual clothes when you're not working.

You'll feel more aligned in all parts of your life, not just your job, if you can find a balance between your professional and personal brand.

3. Dressing for Power, Not Just Following the Rules

For a moment, let's talk about what to wear. It's important to know the "rules" whether you're joining a new company mindset or running your own business. But dressing for impact is more than just following the rules. It's about being unique in a way that is true to you while still being in charge of the place.

When you're dressing to make an impression, keep these things in mind:• Colour psychology: The colours you wear can have a big effect on how people see you. Bold colours, like deep reds or rich blues, show that you are serious, while softer neutrals can show that you are friendly.• Fit and Silhouette: Clothes that fit well and show off your body shape not only make you look put-together, but they also show that you pay attention to detail, which is a key part of being influential.• Accessories that make a statement: A thick necklace or a stylish watch can become a part of your personal brand. It's not about having too many accessories; it's about picking out one or two that go well with your outfit without being too much.

This way of dressing makes sure that you look strong, real, and in line with the impact you want to make, no matter what the dress code is.

4. Changing, not starting over

When my clients change careers, I always tell them that they don't have to become someone completely different. You're not beginning from scratch. It's more about making changes to your brand to make sure it stays in line with your new goals and vision.

Why not ask yourself this question: How can you bring the strategic thinking and attention to detail that were praised in your old job to your new one? What should you keep about your present brand? And what areas do you need to work on to get where you want to go?

You can show off your skills in a new way during this change, and you can give the impression that you're sure you're ready to start a new chapter with purpose.

5. Do one thing at a time

It's easy to feel like you need to make all these changes at once when you're going through a change. True change, on the other hand, takes time. Start by making small changes, like updating your professional wardrobe, your social media accounts, or the way you talk to people in meetings. Changes that are small add up to bigger changes over time.

Remember that your personal brand shows what kind of person you are, both at work and in your personal life. You don't have to change it right away. It's a path of getting better, changing, and finally moving into your power.

Are you ready to improve your personal brand for the next step in your career? Get my free Personal Brand Kickstarter Guide to start creating a look that shows off your drive and authority.