What is your personal brand? If someone asked you this question, would you have an answer?
When I work with digital, marketing and creative professionals, one of my top pieces of advice is that they should ensure they have a strong personal brand and online presence. This is easy for some, but it always helps to get perspective from others. So how do you effectively develop your personal brand online?
A Professional Presentation
Your online presence represents your work experience and interests, and it can open the door for new opportunities. Whether it’s a personal networking site or your own website, recruiters consistently look for key professional details about you.
LinkedIn is often the go-to site for recruiters to find you. When you’re job seeking, they’ll want to know what kind of job you want, whether or not you lead a team, and which technology tools you use on the job. Make sure your profile is clean, not too busy with distracting images and has the most up-to-date details about your professional experience. To make your profile stand out, take it a step further and post content on LinkedIn that adds value. Provide insights into the industry you work in, so anyone who views your posts will see you as an expert. Share what you know! It can help you stand out from the crowd and enhance your personal brand.
Getting Social
Like LinkedIn, you can use your own social media accounts to show the qualities of your work. Creatives tend to have a business Instagram account. If you want to use it as a tool to enhance your online brand, make sure it’s well done and consider the content. Is it appropriate and does it place you in the best light as a job seeker?
Name the Intangibles
Highlight your own top selling points that set you apart from the crowd. Are you a salesperson who won the major sales contest at your company? Share about your success. How did you outperform everyone else? Tell about your industry certifications, your resourcefulness as a niche expert, education, skill sets or volunteer work. Share professional recommendations from former coworkers, bosses and clients. They know you, and they know your work.
Show, Not Tell
Tailor your career highlights online according to the career you have. If you have a website, share a portfolio of your work. If you’re a growth marketer, share personal case studies that discuss projects you’ve worked on from start to finish – demonstrate what the problem was, the solution you found and the ultimate outcome. Pro tip: Keep in mind, former clients or employers may not prefer or give permission for their names to be used, but you can describe an employer or a client (a leading U.S. bank) and the solution (developing a new growth marketing strategy) discreetly while emphasizing your approach and resulting success.
Resumes That Shine
Ready to make a resume that gets their attention every time? Here’s how you start. Organize your skill sets at the top of the resume. List a concise set of skills, software you use on the job, soft skills and ability sets. Next, share your professional experience, volunteer work, education and certifications. Tailor your resume with your most relevant industry experience and include the past 10 years of your work history. Pro tip: AI generators for resumes can help you – Read: not compose it for you. Customize and polish your resume for a concise presentation of your specific niche experience and expertise.
Your personal brand says so much about who you are, and it’s often the first (virtual) impression people have of you. Using your online presence effectively can help you communicate what’s important to you as a professional and put a spotlight on the expertise you bring to your profession and network. Take time to carefully manage your online presence and develop a brand that’s known for quality and reliability.
Looking for professionals who know their brand strengths? Contact us to find the most in-demand talent with niche skills you’re looking for.
