You may have heard the term “personal branding,” but what does it truly mean? And how can it help you build your tech career? Let’s have a closer look:

What is personal branding? 

A personal brand is the process of defining and promoting what you stand for as an individual.

Simply put, personal branding is about more than how you dress or hold yourself in meetings. It’s about what sets you apart from others, and is essentially your reputation both inside and outside of the workplace. 

It can be used to showcase yourself and increase your visibility on social media, for example on LinkedIn. Personal branding allows you to be found by recruiters, who can recognise you by the types of content that you publish. 

How can I build my personal brand?

1. What makes you unique? 

When figuring out how to present yourself, you need to consider who you actually are. What is your background, your personality, your passions and desires, your hobbies and interests? 

Make a list of all the elements that represent you. Using these insights into yourself, you can start to consider how you are different from others around you, and find your niche. 

2. Identify your strengths 

Finding your strengths is more than just listing the tech you’re familiar with. Self-reflection is extremely important here. You can talk to some friends or a mentor, or think back to previous times you’ve done something well. 

It can help to take some time to write down 5 things you're good at and 5 things you want to improve upon. Try to be specific. Knowing your strengths will help you define your brand and decide what you would like to highlight.

3. Leverage your social media

Many employers search candidates on LinkedIn or other platforms before moving forward with job applications and interviews. It is important to make sure that your posts remain consistent with the way you want to be perceived. Consider what you post, both pictures and text, and who you follow. 

4. Be authentic 

Personal branding doesn’t happen overnight, nor is it just using the words you think people want to hear. Personal branding is your story, your narrative, the values you stand for. If you aren’t true to yourself, it will be difficult to stay consistent, which can hurt your reputation and brand. 

What are the benefits of personal branding?

• Build credibility and trust: Having a consistent image and showcasing your accomplishments can establish trust and credibility with potential employers.
• Attract relevant opportunities: It will help you target opportunities that align with your skills and interests, increasing the likelihood of finding a role that is a good fit.
• Facilitate networking: A strong brand makes networking easier, as you can more clearly summarise your value proposition.
• Transition careers: A well-developed personal brand helps to demonstrate your transferable skills and expertise to employers in a new field.
• Improve self-awareness: A personal brand requires self-reflection, and so helps you identify your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. This can also guide your career planning. 
  
  

Your personal brand can play a key role in securing a job that is a good fit for you and in defining your career path. By following these recommendations, you can build a strong personal brand. It will help you stand out on social media, highlight your strengths, and help you define your networking pitch.