Creating a Personal Brand

You may be thinking that branding is only something for businesses. In this age of social media and recruiters able to research job candidates online, it’s more important than ever to have a digital footprint that is engaging, positive and shows your abilities as a person. Almost 80% of employers “Google” job seekers before even inviting them into an interview. That may seem like a lot of pressure…so let’s discuss a few ways to make your chances of getting that interview locked down.

  1. Public Social Media Accounts vs. Private

Keep personal accounts private and use public accounts to share your highlights, knowledge and personality. Use your public account to boost the things in your life that you want recruiters to know about. Share your expertise and knowledge in your field of interest and keep it lighthearted.

  1. Use Professional Sites to Showcase Expertise

Sites like Maui County Virtual Job Fair and LinkedIn are great for creating a professional portfolio and keeping an updated resume. Having an active account will show recruiters that you’re serious about your professional life and want to work hard to achieve success. Sharing experiences like volunteer opportunities or giving back to your community will also help create a clear picture of who you are.

  1. Write a bio and Post a Professional Portrait

Sharing who you are in a few paragraphs will not only help recruiters get to know you, but show them how well you express yourself. A professional portrait, along with your candid shots, gives a variety of ways to demonstrate that you are a well rounded person.

Ultimately, how we show up online can bring us opportunities or shut them down, most of the time without our knowledge. People will spend seconds making a quick judgment and asking the question, “Will it be worth my time interviewing this person?” You want the answer to be Yes! Curate your content so when it’s time for an interview you’ll be first on the list.