Personal branding is everywhere in today’s digital age. With the rise of influencers on social media platforms, personal branding has become an industry in itself – and it’s now a vital part of an employee’s journey as they build their career. The concept of the personal brand is well established in the business world. A personal brand lays the foundation for success in the future, so it’s important to start building your public persona early.

Since there’s now so much competition in this changing workplace landscape, it’s never been more important to build a strong personal brand that enables you to stand out uniquely from other professionals. Research has shown that employers frequently screen candidates through social media. Therefore, how you present yourself online is now crucial for securing job opportunities. But how do you brand yourself online and build credibility? Here are some keys ways that professionals can improve their digital footprint and build a strong personal brand. 

Create an engaging social media presence 

With the growth of LinkedIn, blogging, and other social media networks, it’s never been easier to create a compelling social media presence. One of the best ways to impress employers and strengthen your personal brand is by adding as much detail as possible to your LinkedIn profile. This includes showcasing your endorsed skills, an interesting headline and a creative description that discusses your accomplishments and any recommendations. It’s important to make sure your social networks tell a cohesive story, which can help to establish yourself as a positive, friendly professional, boosting your personal brand as a result.

Be consistent in your communications

When it comes to building and strengthening your personal brand, it’s important to know that results won’t happen immediately. It’s a lifelong commitment that requires patience. However, without consistency in your communications, it’s very difficult to make any progress. For example, all your social media channels need to have the same tone of voice and communicate the same message. Even the smallest of inconsistencies can have an impact on personal brand effectiveness. It can be difficult to think of yourself as a brand, but personal branding is all about consistently reinforcing your story, whether that’s through written content or video. Your CV says a lot about your experience, but when you’re consistently publishing original content, it demonstrates to employers that you’re self-motivated and passionate about your career.

Find a niche and make it your own

It’s much easier to be consistent with your messaging when you have a focus. One of the best ways to strengthen your personal brand is by showing that you’re well versed in a single topic. For example, if you’re looking to move into the financial services sector, keep your messaging focused on that target demographic, as it will be much easier for others to define your personal brand. Having a niche focus is important because it allows you to build your brand around your desired market or ideal employer. Narrowing the focus around your personal brand makes you more easily identifiable and can lead to more specific job opportunities. 

Network effectively

Networking is hugely important in building and maintaining your personal brand. So, make sure you engage with people online and offline and cultivate these relationships over time. There is a multitude of ways to connect with people, like joining groups and conversations on social media. While networking through LinkedIn is key, take the time to attend networking events and virtual conferences to meet valuable, relevant people who can help with your career. All of these relationships contribute to the development of your personal brand, because the more you engage, the more you grow.

Are you looking for the next step in your career?

Building a strong personal brand is hugely important for your career growth. Always invest time in engaging with new relationships, conferences and projects that you could showcase, as a part of your brand. The idea of a brand no longer just applies to companies. At Swisslinx, we’re passionate about career development and helping candidates secure their ideal role. We constantly add value to our clients and candidates and are dedicated to building positive relationships with those we work with. Our team of specialist consultants recruit for roles in various markets, including financial services, digital and technology, as well as health and life sciences. If you’re seeking a new role, contact our team today to discuss how we can help.