While a career in the medical field is undoubtedly rewarding, sometimes a job can become stagnant and unchallenging. When this happens, some type of career change may be in order.
As a physician or advanced practitioner, the best way to advance your career is through building a personal brand. Having a brand will help you develop loyalty with your patients while exposing yourself to a broader audience. In addition, it can help you land your most desired opportunities and bring you to places where your expertise is needed and appreciated.
These ten tips can help you advance your career by building your personal brand.
1. Build a Network
When you have a network of fellow professionals across varying levels in your circle, it connects you to opportunities you might miss otherwise. Word of mouth is still one of the best sales tools, and recommendations from other providers go a long way toward bringing in new patients, developing your practice, and furthering your career.
Your network should be diverse and supportive. Colleagues may hear about openings and pass on the information or refer you. In addition, people outside your industry can offer their support should you change fields or relocate.
Having good personal relationships is essential to building a successful brand.
2. Optimize Your LinkedIn
LinkedIn has become the unofficial job board for most industries. It is the go-to platform for professional networking and helps people connect to opportunities instantly.
With an effective LinkedIn page, you can learn what jobs are out there and advertise your job search. It's an excellent way to connect with others in your field and make your existence known. Make sure your page is up-to-date and includes pertinent information such as your credentials, experience, and job goals. Then, engage with the platform often to take immediate advantage of situations that become available.
3. Be Consistent
A social media presence is essential for establishing oneself as a brand. Surveys reveal that 74% of consumers become loyal to a brand through the website or social media content.
With that kind of potential, you must keep your message and image consistent across all channels. Hone your content and find a way to reiterate it without being boring. Supply your audience with valuable content at regular intervals so that they know what to expect from you.
To the world, consistency is synonymous with stability.
4. Be Responsive
Brand building is based on trust, and timely follow-up differentiates you from those who don't take the time to do it. When someone asks a question or gives a positive review, respond promptly to show that you are present, eager to help, and appreciative of the complement. If you work with a recruiter, be sure to reply to their requests promptly. It will show your peers that you care and you're up to the task.
5. Become a Thought Leader in Your Specialty
Consumers respect brands that give them information that they can use. When you keep your patients current on topics that affect them, it helps build relationships with them.
Post articles and original content about new procedures, policies, and other topics that will benefit patients and colleagues alike. When you act as the conduit of information, you reflect that you, as a provider, are knowledgeable and part of the conversation.
6. Share What You Know
You further establish yourself as a respected leader when you teach others about your field or advances in your specialty. Publish articles and schedule speaking engagements to get your message out there. Teach classes and make presentations at conferences to connect with others in the industry. This will help with name recognition and establish your personal brand as knowledgeable and trustworthy.
7. Give Back to Your Community
Taking part in and showing that you care about the community is one of the significant aspects of building a brand. Do what you can to support those around you and the causes that are important to them. Sponsoring health-centered events or even holding your own will connect your practice to one that is community-centered.
8. Join Professional Organizations
Professional organizations allow you to meet and collaborate with other professionals in your field. They also provide a way to learn about new opportunities and changes that are being made in the industry. Participation in professional organizations reflects well on your resume and connects your brand to a national platform.
9. Tailor Your Application
A job application that is tailored to a position expresses the desire to be part of a team. Learn all you can about the job requirements and get a sense of the office culture beforehand. That way, your curriculum vitae can highlight those aspects of your education and experience that will attract the attention of staffing personnel.
10. Be Proactive
A sure way to get your career where you want it to be proactive. Look for and accept opportunities that will broaden your scope and make your credentials sought after. To take your career to the next level, you need to think of yourself and your practice as a brand.
Partnering with an organization like VISTA can help you expand your reach, build your brand, and advance your medical career.
Visit the VISTA job board and work with a recruiter to identify career-advancing opportunities.
