Building a Personal Brand: The Key to Landing Your Dream Job

85% of recruiters and HR professionals say that an employee’s online presence influences their hiring decisions. If you want to progress your career, you need to stand out from the crowd. It’s not enough just to write a standout resume. These days, employers want more than just a great resume.

And one of the best ways to stand out in today’s market is by developing your personal brand. This allows you to reach employers beyond your resume. So let’s take a look at what a personal brand is, why it’s important, and how to build one.

What is a personal brand?

A personal brand is your unique set of skills, qualities and experiences. It gives employers a fuller picture of what you represent as a professional. Your personal brand can reflect your mindset, your professional opinions, your aspirations and your skills. 

Why do job seekers need a personal brand?

To stand out:

Today’s job market is competitive. Never underestimate your competition. There are usually lots of qualified candidates going for the same job. Having a strong personal brand will highlight what makes you unique and why you’re the best candidate for the job. If your personal brand is strong enough, employers will already know what makes you stand out before you enter the interview!

To build credibility:

Having a personal brand will help to build your credibility as a professional. As a result, you become more employable. Your personal brand showcases your expertise. The more you use your personal branding voice, the more you become a leading voice in your industry. This will make you more attractive to employers. And it will increase your chances of landing your dream job.

To gain visibility:

You don’t want to be a bystander in the professional world. You want to get noticed. And this happens when you create a strong online presence on social media sites, like LinkedIn. You’ll gain more exposure and will increase your chances of attracting more opportunities. If you’re not visible, nobody will know you exist. A personal brand puts you on the radar.

To show consistency:

Building a strong personal brand doesn’t happen overnight. It can only happen when you’re consistent. This means maintaining your professionalism and voice, both online and in-person. When you do this, you build a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable professional. This can open you up to more job opportunities and career progression.

To advance your career:

Overall, having a strong personal brand can establish you as a thought leader. As you make a name for yourself, you’ll expand your network. Other professionals will want to collaborate with you. And employers will want to hire you. Eventually, new opportunities to advance your career will come your way. 

4 ways job seekers can build a solid personal brand

So, how can you start building your personal brand? Here are a few tips:

Define your unique selling proposition (USP)

Just like all good products have a USP, professionals do too! What sets you apart from other professionals in your industry? What unique skills, experiences, or qualities do you bring to the table? Identify your USP and use it to guide your personal brand.

Build a strong online presence 

To take your personal brand seriously, you have to create a strong online presence…especially in today’s digital age! Create a professional website. Or simply build a LinkedIn profile. Using websites and social media platforms will allow you to showcase your expertise.

Be consistent

As we mentioned earlier, consistency is key to building a strong personal brand. Make sure your resume and online presence are consistent and reflect your personal brand. You want your messaging to be the same across all mediums.

Be authentic

Finally, it’s important to be authentic when building your personal brand. There’s no need to try and be someone you’re not. Instead, focus on highlighting your unique skills in an authentic and genuine way. Authenticity is what employers value the most.

Be you

Developing a personal brand is essential for your career progression. It shows employers exactly who you are and what you bring to the table. Your personal brand should be visible at all times, not just when you’re looking for a new job. So, start building your personal brand today and see where it can take you!

Ready for the next step in your career? Find new opportunities on the SonicJobs app and apply with 1 tap!