In today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to do all you can to catch the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. You polish your resume, enhance your LinkedIn, and build your network. But sometimes even doing all of this doesn’t feel like enough to get your foot in the door, which can be really frustrating.
You’re not alone. Right now, we’re in a period where the job search seems more difficult than ever. In fact, recent surveys claim that 70% of job seekers are unexpectedly having a more challenging time landing a position (1). There are factors like ghost jobs and applicant tracking systems that now need to be considered. It’s no wonder that job seekers are exhausted with the process, trying to figure out what to do next.
Fortunately, there’s another way to draw the attention of employers, and that’s through personal branding. Personal branding plays a pivotal role in setting yourself apart from other candidates. Your personal brand is how you present your professional identity, skills, and values to potential employers. It encompasses everything from your online presence to how you communicate during networking events or interviews.
According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates, and 50% decide not to hire based on what they find (2). Therefore, maintaining a consistent, professional image across platforms is crucial. LinkedIn remains a top tool for building a professional brand, but platforms like X and Instagram can also highlight your personal interests and values, giving employers a holistic view of who you are.
Here are some tips on how you can curate a strong personal brand for the job market and beyond:
For even more information, refer to the LinkedIn and branding articles in our Career Guide.
In summary, by incorporating some of these tips, you’ll be well on your way to showcasing your personal brand, which, in turn, can increase your visibility on the job market. Need a new connection? Follow us on Instagram at @umbccareers to stay updated on our latest news and events.
(1) https://www.aerotek.com/en/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/12/aerotek-fall-job-seeker-survey-job-seekers-say-job-hunt-more-difficult
(2) https://resources.careerbuilder.com/employer-blog/70-of-employers-use-social-networking-sites-to-research-candidates-during-hiring-process
Social Media is ever prevalent, especially in the lives of young adults. You can connect with friends, share your life, make viral memes and videos, and meet new people from around the globe. But social media has the opportunity to both boost and kill a career. Here are some pointers on what to do and what not to do on your social media accounts when job searching.
Do clean up your accounts. Make sure any posts that could be perceived as inappropriate are off your account. This goes for comments too. It’s better to have never posted them at all, but a swift deletion before a potential employer looks you up makes a world of difference.
Don’t share details of your interviews online. Employers are going to be looking at you, keep your interview details private, especially if you want to add commentary about how well or not it went.
Do utilize Linkedin to connect with employers and recruiters. Linkedin is a great way to make professional connections with people. The UMBC Career Center offers Linkedin workshops and appointment types during the semester if you need pointers on how to use Linkedin.
Don’t post derogatory comments about a job position you are applying for. This may seem like a no brainer, but when you want to tweet about how much you’d hate a job at Walmart or other big corporations but need the cash, think twice.
Do check your equipment before a remote interview. Skype is super useful and increasingly common as an interview tool. Make sure you know how to use it and that all of your equipment is working properly BEFORE the interview starts.
Don’t show up to your interview looking disheveled and completely different from your polished Linkedin profile picture. You want to look like your social media profiles. Neat, clean, and well maintained.
Do put on pants (skirts or dresses are fine too, so long as they’re professional!) for a Skype interview. Don’t expect your interviewer to never see your bottom half. If you accidentally stand up and you’re wearing pajamas underneath your suit or blouse, you look terribly unprofessional. Besides, looking professional will help you feel professional, which will help you act professionally.
Don’t post about that rager last weekend. Now that you’ve cleaned up your social media, keep it clean at all times. Posting about alcohol or drugs is a major job search blunder. Employers don’t want to see your party side.
Social media is a wonderful tool, but it can also be used against you. Stay smart and post safely. Watch what you post and who you connect with because employers are looking at you. As always, the UMBC Career Center is here to help.