Let’s start with a truth bomb: your resume alone isn’t going to cut it anymore. Sure, it’s still important, and yes, you should definitely keep it updated and polished, but in today’s job market, that single sheet of paper (or PDF, if you’re fancy) isn’t what’s going to get you hired.
In 2024, employers aren’t just looking at your bullet points—they’re looking at your entire online presence. Enter: personal branding.
The Problem: Your Resume is Not Enough
Once upon a time, having a great resume was all you needed to land a job. You’d carefully list your accomplishments, throw in some action verbs, and maybe toss in a fancy font to stand out. But these days, employers are looking beyond your resume. They want to know who you are, not just what you’ve done. They want to see how you present yourself online, how you engage with others in your industry, and whether or not you’re an active voice in the professional community.
According to BetterUp’s guide on personal branding, 86% of hiring managers say that a strong personal brand can make a candidate stand out. That means if you’re relying on your resume alone, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition.
The Solution: Building Your Personal Brand
So, what exactly is personal branding? In a nutshell, it’s how you present yourself to the world, both online and offline. It’s your professional story, your values, your expertise, and how you communicate them to the people who matter. Think of it as the packaging that makes you look like the total package.
Building a personal brand doesn’t mean plastering your face all over the internet (although that’s fine if you’re into that). It means thoughtfully curating your online presence so that when a hiring manager Googles your name (and they will Google your name), they’re greeted with more than just your LinkedIn profile and a few out-of-date tweets. Personal branding is about telling a cohesive, compelling story that says, “I’m the best person for the job—and here’s why.”
Steps to Build Your Personal Brand
- Define Your Niche: What do you want to be known for? What are you passionate about? Are you the go-to person for marketing strategies? The expert on UX design? Figure out what sets you apart and build your brand around that.
- Be Consistent: Your personal brand should be consistent across all platforms. From your LinkedIn bio to your Twitter profile, ensure that your messaging is clear and aligned with the kind of job you want. If your LinkedIn says “marketing guru” but your Instagram is all about food blogging, that’s going to send mixed signals to potential employers.
- Create Content: Don’t just consume content—create it. Write blog posts, share articles, engage in discussions. Show the world that you’re an active voice in your field. According to The Muse’s Essential Job Search Guide, regularly sharing content on LinkedIn can significantly boost your visibility and help you stand out from the crowd.
- Network Thoughtfully: Networking isn’t just about shaking hands and collecting business cards (see: previous article). It’s about building relationships with people who can help you grow professionally. Comment on industry leaders’ posts, engage with their content, and join relevant groups where your voice can be heard.
- Optimize Your Online Profiles: Ensure your LinkedIn, Twitter, and even personal websites are optimized for the kind of job you want. Use relevant keywords in your bios, share industry-related content, and make sure your profile pictures are professional (no blurry vacation selfies, please).
Resume vs. Personal Brand: Which Matters More?
Now, let’s settle the debate: which one really matters more—your resume or your personal brand? The answer is both, but here’s the kicker: your personal brand is what gets you noticed, while your resume seals the deal. In other words, your resume is the proof that backs up your brand.
Think of your personal brand as the first impression. It’s the story you tell that makes employers want to take a closer look at your resume. If your personal brand is solid, your resume becomes a supporting document that reinforces everything you’ve already communicated online.
The Role of Social Media in Personal Branding
Social media is a powerful tool for building your personal brand—if you use it wisely. According to Indeed’s Essential Job Search Guide, optimizing your LinkedIn profile is one of the most important steps you can take in today’s job market. But LinkedIn isn’t the only platform where you should be active. Twitter, Instagram, and even TikTok can all be used to showcase your expertise and build your professional reputation.
Here’s how to use social media to your advantage:
- LinkedIn: This is the big one. Make sure your profile is fully optimized, with a clear bio, relevant skills, and a professional photo. Share industry-related content, engage with your connections, and post regularly.
- Twitter: Twitter is a great platform for joining industry discussions, sharing quick insights, and building connections with other professionals. Just make sure your tweets are aligned with your personal brand—no one wants to see your political rants when they’re looking to hire you for a marketing role.
- Instagram: If your field is visual (think graphic design, fashion, or architecture), Instagram can be a great platform to showcase your work. Just make sure your professional posts don’t get lost in a sea of beach selfies.
Conclusion: The Future of Job Hunting
In 2024, job hunting is about more than just having a polished resume. It’s about building a personal brand that sets you apart from the competition and makes employers want to learn more about you. Your resume is still important, but in today’s job market, it’s your personal brand that will get you noticed.
Takeaway: Your resume is just one piece of the puzzle. To really stand out in today’s job market, you need a strong personal brand that tells employers who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re the best person for the job. So, what does your personal brand say about you?
Ready to Find Your Next Opportunity?
Let’s be honest, the job hunt can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack made of rejection emails. But at EBN Jobs, we believe you deserve more than a generic search engine and an automated “we’ll get back to you.” Here, you’ll find roles that value your human skills just as much as your hard ones.
Take the first step towards a career that actually excites you. Register and browse the latest roles at EBN Jobs, and let’s turn that “maybe” into a “hell yes.”