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Brooke Dunwell

Fresh Start, Strong Brand: Building Your Personal Identity as a New Graduate

Congratulations! You've conquered exams, late-night study sessions, and the graduation stage. Now, as you embark on the exciting (and sometimes daunting) journey of your career, it's time to establish yourself in the professional world. But where do you begin? The answer lies in building your personal brand.



brand strategy and branding layout
Photo by Leeloo The First

Think of your personal brand as your digital handshake – a way to introduce yourself, showcase your skills, and leave a lasting impression on potential employers and professional connections. In today's digital age, a strong online presence is crucial for new graduates. Here's why personal branding matters, and how you can craft a brand that sets you apart:


Why Personal Branding Matters for New Graduates:


  • Standing Out in a Crowded Job Market: The job market can be fiercely competitive, especially for recent graduates. A well-defined personal brand helps you differentiate yourself from the crowd. By highlighting your unique skills, experiences, and passions, you grab the attention of employers seeking the perfect fit for their team.

  • Demonstrating Your Value Proposition: Your personal brand tells a story. It goes beyond your resume, showcasing your personality, work ethic, and what makes you tick. A strong brand allows you to communicate your value proposition – how your skills and interests can benefit a potential employer.

  • Building Your Network and Landing Opportunities: Your online presence is a powerful networking tool. It allows you to connect with professionals in your field, engage in industry discussions, and build valuable relationships that can lead to job opportunities, mentorship, or even collaboration opportunities.

  • Establishing Yourself as an Expert (Even as a Newcomer): By sharing your knowledge and insights online, you position yourself as a thought leader, even as a new graduate. Contributing to industry discussions, creating content, or participating in online forums demonstrates your passion and helps you gain recognition within your field.


Crafting Your Online Presence: A Guide for New Graduates


Now that you understand the importance of personal branding, let's dive into how you can build a strong online presence that reflects your unique professional identity. Here's a step-by-step guide:


1. Self-Assessment: Discover Your Brand Pillars

Before crafting your online persona, take a step back and reflect on your core values, skills, and career goals. Here are some questions to get you started:

  • What are my top strengths and weaknesses?

  • What are my passions and interests, both inside and outside of my field of study?

  • What kind of work environment do I thrive in?

  • What are my long-term career aspirations?

By understanding your core values and goals, you can build a brand that feels authentic and resonates with the right people and opportunities.


2. Choose the Right Platforms:

The online landscape is vast, so it's important to focus on platforms relevant to your industry and target audience. Here are some key platforms for new graduates:

  • LinkedIn: The professional networking powerhouse. Create a complete profile that showcases your skills, experience, and educational background. Connect with classmates, professors, professionals in your field, and join relevant industry groups. 

  • Portfolio Website (Optional): Depending on your field, a portfolio website can be a powerful tool to showcase your work samples, projects, and achievements. This is especially important for creative fields like design, writing, or marketing.

  • Social Media (Use Strategically): Platforms like Twitter or Instagram can be great for sharing industry insights, thought leadership pieces, and engaging with relevant communities. However, maintain a professional tone and curate your content carefully.


3. Content is King (and Queen): Share Valuable Information

Once you've established your online presence, it's time to breathe life into it with valuable content. Here are some ways to share your knowledge and engage your audience:

  • Publish Blog Posts or Articles: Contribute guest posts to industry blogs or create your own blog to share your insights on relevant topics.

  • Engage in Social Media Discussions: Actively participate in industry discussions on Twitter or LinkedIn groups. Share your thoughts, ask insightful questions, and connect with like-minded professionals.

  • Create Shareable Content: Develop infographics, videos, or other visual content related to your field.


4. Network Like a Pro: Building Connections

Your online presence is a gateway to building valuable professional connections. Here's how to leverage your online platforms for networking:

  • Connect with Relevant People: Actively reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or Twitter. Introduce yourself and show genuine interest in their work.

  • Engage with Your Network: Don't just connect, actively engage with your network. Like and comment on their posts, share their content, and participate in discussions


To build your personal career brand that will attract hiring leaders and industry experts and get you 100x the results, download Career & Job Search by Design: A Comprehensive Playbook for Personal Branding and Self-Marketing



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