Professional Identity Formation Worksheet
Professional identity, sometimes referred to as your personal brand, is the attitudes, values, knowledge, beliefs
and skills shared with others within the same field. In other words, it is what differentiates you or what others
might say about you when you’re not in the room. Having a clearly defined professional identity can help you
find opportunities you’re passionate about, help others know what they can expect from you, and ensure you
are known for what you want to be known for.
Use the following guiding questions to help you define your professional identity.
1. How would you describe your current professional identity?
2. In what areas would you like to see your professional identity grow in the future?
3. What do you value?
4. What excites you the most?
5. What are your clinical strengths? Professional strengths? Personal strengths? If you have trouble with
this, consider using an outside resource such as StrengthsFinder or High5Test.
6. What are specific disease states, clinical fields, or interest areas that you are particularly strong in or
passionate about?
7. How can you further shape your professional identity? (i.e., getting involved in professional
organizations, community service, leadership development, etc.) Choose one, and develop a plan and
timeline to execute this goal.
8. Are there any areas lacking in your professional identity?
9. How would your colleagues describe your professional identity or your personal brand? If you’re unsure,
think about times when you’ve been asked to help with a project, task, or assignment; what did that
person want your help with specifically? Are there discrepancies in how you versus your colleagues view
your professional identity?
10. How would your friends or family describe you? How is this similar or different from your professional
identity? Is there any overlap?
11. If you could design your perfect job, what would it look like? How could you adapt your professional
identity to match that role?
12. Create a mind map of all of your professional and/or personal projects that you are passionate about.
Are there any that you are especially proud of? What areas do you want to improve upon?
13. Take a few minutes to write down your “elevator pitch.” How would you describe what you do, what
you are passionate about, and/or what you want to do with your career in less than 2 minutes?
14. List the different “hats” you wear (i.e., parent, student, friend, partner, coach, mentor). Which of these
do you want to emphasize in your professional identity? Which do you want to be known for?
15. What sets you apart from your colleagues? If asked in an interview, “of all the candidates who applied to
this job, why should we choose you?” how would you respond?
16. What professional or personal accomplishments are you most proud of?
17. If you could accomplish anything in your field, what would it be? What are potential barriers from
preventing you from doing so?
18. Keywords to consider and utilize when crafting your personal statement:
• Empathetic • Practical • Team-player
• Creative • Leader • Outgoing
• Diligent • Consistent • Inquisitive
• Curious • Genuine • Organized
• Detail-oriented • Competitive • Knowledgeable
• Energetic • Versatile • Confident
• Strong-willed • Responsible • Kind
• Ambitious • Charismatic • Analytical
• Perceptive • Self-motivated • Straightforward
• Authentic • ______________ • ______________
Listen to the ASHP Official Podcast Establishing Professional Identity as a New Practitioner for additional
insights on establishing your professional identity.
