Indians developing personal brands to adjust to workplace

Indian employees are developing their own personal brands to keep pace with a fast-changing workplace, says a recently concluded survey.

According to workforce solutions provider Kelly Services' Global Workforce Index, personal marketing or branding, has become a feature of the modern workplace.

"As many individuals are moving out of the typical employment relationship, they are thinking about how to promote themselves and stand-out in the crowded workforce," Kelly Services Managing Director Kamal Karanth said.

The survey, which reveals opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint, said around 72 per cent of respondents identified verbal communication skills and technical knowledge as the most important in building their identities.

The other major factors that impact the development of personal brands include resumes (67 per cent), written communications (66 per cent), personal attire (63 per cent), and use of social media (46 per cent).

"The survey results reflect an understanding that the days of a job-for-life, and even a career-for-life, are gone. Increasingly, many people will have several careers and, in all likelihood, will have to take greater personal responsibility for managing their careers and developing new skills," Karanth added.

The survey that covered around 1,34,000 people in 29 countries, including over 4,000 in India, said majority of Indian employees are prepared to spend their own money on upgrading their skills and are optimistic about keeping pace with technological and other changes in the workplace.

Besides, 59 per cent of respondents expect to change their careers at some stage in the future. Around 44 per cent of respondents describe themselves as "very active" in their use of social media for personal marketing while another 33 per cent say they are somewhat active, the survey added.