IT’S a recession, but I choose not to participate.

You have heard it, I have heard, we have all heard it — a recession is coming. On the heels of economies still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are starting to feel the angst of what a recession could really mean for us both personally and professionally.

In essence, a recession can be defined as a period of economic decline characterised by a decrease in gross domestic product (GDP), higher unemployment rates, and lower consumer spending. During a recession it’s not just businesses that are affected; individuals and their personal brands can also take a hit.

I started this article by saying that “I choose not to participate”, and here is why. Being the eternal optimist that I am, I also believe that things like a recession can provide us with an opportunity to do an audit on exactly where we are in our lives. I immediately started to think about the work that I have done over the last 13 years, both as a public relations practitioner and as a personal branding coach and trainer, looking at the unique value that I offer to my clients and how best to safeguard my business and my brand so that I wouldn’t be caught off guard or blindsided in the way that we were with the pandemic. So, I am taking a very proactive approach this time around.

Here are 9 ways to recession-proof your personal brand

1) Do a personal brand audit – Your personal brand is essentially how you see yourself, what others say about you (especially when you are not in the room), and what you are known for, i.e. how you show up in the world.

a. Start your audit by doing a personal brand map of your personal and professional journey

b. Include your core values, passions, natural talents, career journey, unique skills.

2) Do an industry audit – Look at what people need more of in your industry. What are the gaps that could be filled? Is there an opportunity to fill a need with your knowledge, skills and experience? And what are others doing in your industry that you could do differently or better? What are the trends in your industry?

3) Skills assessment – Start with listing your skills personally and professionally and then identify the problems that you solve for your clients or employer. Think about what new skills you can develop or learn. How can you diversify your skills to have an edge over the competition?

4) Identify your edge – From your own journey, what are your key differentiators, the unique value that you offer to others through your work? How can you be the first, the best, the only in your industry because of the combination of your skills, knowledge, expertise and experience? Ultimately, you are pinpointing why should someone pick you.

5) Higher education – How could you be adding more value to your brand? Is there a course or degree that you could complete? Is there a mentor who you could connect with? Look at ways to add more value to your brand through experiences.

6) Get online – Personal branding has also become, “What does Google say about you?” More and more companies and recruiters are using online tools like LinkedIn to find their ideal candidate so now is the time to review your online profile and ensure that it is up to date with relevant information that showcases your value.

7) Expand your network – Building and maintaining relationships with your professional network is crucial during a recession. Networking events, industry conferences, and other in-person opportunities are key to building your personal brand and connecting with others in your field. Start making purposeful connections now; don’t wait for the opportunities to come to you — create your own.

8) Create your own space – After doing your personal audit and journey map you may realise that there could be new opportunities that you create for yourself. In this growing digital world we all have an opportunity to connect with others and create our own purposeful and profitable work, and this is amplified by having access to platforms through which you can create your own podcast, YouTube channel, online articles, and so much more.

9) Talk about it – Start showing up for yourself and your brand. Speak up in meetings, pitch and present your ideas, start conversations in online spaces, share your successes and your wins. You could be the best candidate in the room, but if people don’t know about you then you are doing a disservice to yourself and to others who could benefit from your work.

We have been hearing about this recession, we know it is coming, so what are we waiting for to take the necessary steps to be prepared for the inevitable? By taking these steps you can help protect your personal brand and ensure that you are well-positioned for success during a recession and beyond. By being proactive and maintaining a strong online presence you can help ensure that your personal brand stays relevant and in-demand, even during challenging economic times.

Naomi N. Garrick is an author, speaker, PRSA-certified reputation champion and personal branding coach for executives and entrepreneurs. Visit iamnaomigarrick.com or follow her @theprchick on Instagram for personal branding tips. Email her at: info@iamnaomigarrick.com