Building Your Personal Online Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide
What Will Appear If You Google Yourself?
Try Googling yourself. If you’re applying for a job, the person hiring you will probably do the same. Today, it’s easy to share personal details online, especially on social media. This can be good, but it also means employers can see things about you that you might not want them to.
Since over 90% of recruiters use social media to decide who to hire, having unprofessional photos or posts on your profiles could hurt your chances of getting the job. But don’t worry! You can use social media to your advantage. By creating a strong online personal brand, you can increase your chances of impressing potential employers.
1. Use Social Media the Right Way
As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn started as the “Facebook for professionals,” but now it’s much more than that. It’s where you can showcase your online professional profile, write blog-style posts, and connect with potential employers.
- Use a professional and friendly photo
- Keep your profile and headline strong and up-to-date
- Highlight your key skills, competencies, and achievements
- Add any publications or additional credentials
- Ask colleagues for endorsements
- Share blog-style posts related to your expertise
Facebook
On Facebook, there’s a fine line between sharing personal details and oversharing.
- Set your profile to private to control what others see
- Use an appropriate profile photo
- Make sure your profile aligns with what you’d want potential employers to see
- Highlight personal interests and hobbies
- Ask colleagues for endorsements
- Share positive activities, like volunteering or charitable work, publicly
Instagram
Instagram is all about sharing photos and videos, and it can make or break your reputation.
- Keep your profile professional if it’s public, and avoid sharing anything that could negatively affect your image
- You can also make your profile private
- Focus on showcasing interests that align with the brand or professional image you want to share
- Use captions to add a personal touch and show your personality
2. ‘SEO’ yourself
Your CV
When you’re applying for jobs, you’ll likely upload your CV to various job boards. It’s essential that your CV accurately represents your personal brand and is easy for recruiters to find.
- Keywords matter:- Include the right keywords prominently to make your CV stand out to recruiters.
- Check your writing:- Ensure your CV is well-written, with no spelling or grammatical errors.
- Be clear and detailed:- Provide specific examples of your experience and achievements.
Your Online Profile
Similar to your CV, your online profiles should be optimized with the right keywords to attract potential employers.
- Ensure your profiles are filled with keywords relevant to the job you're seeking.
- For example, if you’ve labeled yourself as a "SAP expert," it might be more effective to specify your expertise, like "SAP FICO Architect.
3. Blogging
When done well, blogging can be a powerful way to establish yourself as an industry expert while showcasing your personality
- Focus on key issues that matter to your peers in your industry.
- Write in a personal style, but make sure it aligns with your audience.
- Share your blog posts across all your social media platforms.
- Update your blog regularly to keep it fresh and relevant.
4. Maximise your reach
Make sure to add links to your professional online profiles, website, or blog in your email signature. This will increase your visibility to potential employers.
Boost your visibility by actively participating in professional blogs, forums, and LinkedIn discussions.
By following these steps, you’ll align your online brand with the job you’re aiming for, making a strong first impression and improving your chances of landing an interview.
For more career tips and insights into the SAP industry, check out RED’s blog. You can also register with RED and explore job opportunities online today.
