In this article, we’ll go over essential tips to build your professional brand, create an eye-catching portfolio, and find your dream job.
Tips for graduates on how to build your professional brand
For recent graduates stepping into the professional world, creating a distinct professional identity is a crucial step for career success. Your professional brand is a reflection of your skills, expertise, and character, and significantly influences others’ perceptions of you in the workplace.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the most essential tips to help graduates establish their professional brand, create an eye-catching portfolio (don’t forget to utilise a CV template for students!), and find their dream job.
Create an Eye-Catching Portfolio
The first step in launching your personal brand is to create a portfolio, especially if you’re seeking a job in a creative industry like technology, design, art, or marketing, among others. A well-thought portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your skills, experience, and let your personality shine.
Curating a portfolio might seem like a daunting task at first — there are so many different elements! — but it doesn’t have to be. For starters, we recommend writing a strong CV (curriculum vitae), with a list of where you’ve worked and studied, which you can then base your portfolio on.
From there, gather a variety of work samples from previous jobs, internships, or volunteering positions (such as writing samples, graphic designs, coding projects, and so on). It’s also a great idea to list any awards and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, references from former colleagues, and any licences or certifications.
Once your basic portfolio is complete, it’s time to customise it. Career experts recommend tailoring your personal statement to each job that you apply for. Look at the job description and pay attention to what the employer is looking for, then weave those elements into your statement. Be sure to follow up with an example of a previous project you worked on, its general scope, what problems you encountered, and the project’s outcome.
Likewise, don’t forget to regularly update your portfolio with new projects and achievements!
Launch a Personal Website
Creating a portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your skills when applying for jobs, but let’s take it one step further. Launching a personal website is a powerful way to significantly amplify your visibility and open the doors to a variety of projects and job prospects.
The benefits of creating a website to showcase your professional portfolio are numerous. As mentioned above, it’s an excellent way to expand your reach, but it also lets you control your online presence, enhance your professional image, and show off your work.
Best of all, you don’t need to be a programmer or a web designer to make a beautiful website. There are plenty of blogging platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Blogger that have preset templates and tutorials that will have your site ready in no time.
Just like a physical portfolio, an online website should have three pages at minimum: an ‘About Me’ page, another with your contact info, and a page that showcases your portfolio/projects.
On the aesthetic side of things, try to create a unified visual style that will be used across your website. Using the same colour scheme, typography, and layout on the website will help customers easily recognize you and your brand.
Create a Business Card
One final product that will really help you stand out is a good old fashioned business card.
Despite living in an era dominated by technology and instant communication, business cards are an enduring symbol of professional etiquette and personal connection.
When designing a business card, be sure to include all of the necessary information, such as your name, contact information, and job title. You can also add a link to your professional website and/or LinkedIn profile.
If you want to make your business card more modern (and convenient!), consider adding a QR code with a link to your website. This gives people a quick way to access your portfolio and information.
Become a Thought Leader
If you have a passion for your industry, why not become a thought leader?
According to Fobes, a thought leader is an influential voice in a specific industry. They are known for their innovative ideas, staying on top of trends, and bringing alternate views and insightful points to the table. Becoming a thought leader takes time and dedication, but that effort will definitely pay off once you’ve become an established name in your industry!
The easiest way to start is by creating a profile on LinkedIn, filling out your online resume, and publishing thoughtful articles on the platform. The more you write about your industry’s trends, developments, and latest news, the more followers and readers you’ll have.
In the meantime, be sure to maintain an active presence on social media platforms relevant to your industry (such as LinkedIn, X, or YouTube). Share your achievements, write out your thoughts, and network with others in your field. Having an active online presence helps you gain credibility and visibility in your industry.
Attend Professional Networking Events
One final element of successfully building a professional brand is actively participating in professional events, as attending such events can have a significant impact on your career development.
Networking events are a perfect opportunity to communicate with fellow colleagues, keynote speakers, and potential employers. As a nice bonus, you can use the previous points we’ve talked about (handing out business cards, discussing your portfolio, and acting as a thought leader) in order to further your professional development.
