By Jen Hubley Luckwaldt, PayScale.com 
Whether you like it or not, if you’re a working person, you have a personal brand. Figuring out what that brand is and communicating it effectively to potential employers are some of the most important things you can do to make your job hunt a success.
Career expert Heather R. Huhman has some tips for becoming a successful personal brander. Here are three, and my take on them:
1. Know your values.
This is another way of saying, “know who you are and what’s important to you.” It doesn’t matter, in terms of your potential for success, whether you value money or saving the earth. Being clear on what you want most will help you to clarify your message.
2. Know who you’re talking to.
“Knowing what your audience wants from you is important to maintaining a relevant professional presence,” Huhman writes. “For instance, a professional who’s branded themselves as an expert on the economy might confuse their audience if they suddenly start sending out tweets about pop culture.” In other words, save your opinions on Dancing With the Stars for another Twitter feed, one that isn’t associated with your professional brand.
3. Keep learning.
Like a shark, successful personal branders are always moving forward. You don’t need to go to grad school to keep absorbing knowledge. Just keep your eyes and ears open and remember that everything is a learning opportunity.
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