Published on
Updated on
We live in a world where your digital footprint precedes every room you walk in. Your online presence is just as important as the impressions you make in-person. Crafting your personal brand and digital presence is all about telling a story – your story. If your LinkedIn appears soulless and lackadaisical people will then start to make those same assumptions about you. Your online persona is seen as an extension of who you are in the real world. So, for this series we’ll begin by giving you the starter pack for constructing your online professional presence.
Why do I need online profiles?
Creating the 3D candidate
Having a strong online presence is a key differentiator between an average candidate and the candidate who will get the offer letter. Your digital persona doesn’t have to be symmetrical to what’s on your resume or personal social media, but it should be authentic and native to you. You want to paint a nuanced picture of yourself. What is it that makes you light up? Why are you going into your prospective field? What are you looking to build for yourself professionally? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when you’re establishing your personal brand. Employers are more likely to hire someone that’s spent time crafting a polished digital portfolio.
It’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you
Networking is more important than ever. Pull employers for a chat! Planting even the smallest of seeds can act as a through line for opportunities that arise down the line. LinkedIn in particular truly is the “Instagram” of the professional world, and it’s been a game changer. Use it to your advantage! If someone’s work catches your eye or you want to learn more about a particular company, make connections. Cold call messages are a great way to meet new people in your field and to establish relationships. Don’t underestimate the gift of access!
Remain a student of the game
Industry trends are constantly evolving; make sure you are in a position to be proactive rather than reactive. The instinct to stay committed to learning and observing from the best will not only inspire you but push you to elevate your own work. It’s important to be knowledgeable about what’s going on in your field. Try following industry leaders on LinkedIn, signing up for newsletters and listening to podcasts to stay in the loop. Being knowledgeable about developing news in your industry makes for good talking points in interviews or when networking with connections. It shows you’re passionate about your work and the future of your field.
A home for self-reflection
Your professional profiles are the perfect space for you to share your insights, reflections and high points. People appreciate candor and being candid rather than repetitive formulaic content. When in doubt opt for creative storytelling and clear communication over performative posting that wants to meet engagement metrics. Your online platforms are great places for you to share updates like end of semester highlights, accepting a new job or catching your network up on your upcoming projects. Don’t just share what you did, share why it matters to you, where you struggled and what you’re walking away with.
The starter pack
Personal website + portfolio
Creating a website and portfolio is the next step in elevating your professional aura. This may sound daunting or challenging, but we’ve gathered some user-friendly sites for you to try. Many of these sites have built-in AI assistants designed to help you customize your website without you having to get into the nitty gritty details. Take some time to think about what you want to include in your portfolio.
A good starting place may be completed work from internships, class work and any other work that reflects your passion. In addition to your work samples, consider including an about page and a contact page so that viewers can learn a little bit more about you and maybe what you’re interested in outside of your work. Happy creating!
Here are some free and paid options for website building: Google Sites, Canva, Wix, Adobe, Squarespace, Claude.
Using professional platforms
Once you’ve created one professional profile on a platform, all you need to do is rinse and repeat. Don’t overthink it! Every platform from LinkedIn to Handshake needs the same universal items:
- A professional headshot
- Biography/About section
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
It seems like a lot but if you break it down section-by-section, you can knock it out in a reasonable amount of time. Once you have these universal items, the most you’ll be doing is updating and optimizing your profile from there on out. So, take your time and be deliberate!
After you’ve created a profile, be sure to start following employers that peak your interests. Next, try connecting with mentors, joining online groups and reaching out to industry professionals.
Creating content
Post! You don’t want to just be passively consuming content. Interact with others’ content – comment on your peers’ posts, repost what resonates and share content with colleagues. You don’t have to be a LinkedIn warrior to create your own posts; we all start somewhere!
The key is to construct posts that reflect what you’ve been working on and that highlight your interests. Prioritize quality over quantity when you’re considering your posting frequency. Pro-tip if you’re going to use AI in your posts, do some editing to make sure it still sounds like your voice.
By Raigan Clay