Your personal brand is more than just a cheeky slogan or a whip-smart tagline, it’s how you present yourself online. Creating an engaging personal brand can help you stand out from the crowd. And in a world where we exist behind screens, it’s pivotal to your career.

In 2021, I joined Snowflake’s team in APJ as a senior recruiter. I’ve been working in recruitment for over 21 years now and have been recognized for using LinkedIn to elevate my voice. Throughout this time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with thousands of candidates to help them achieve their career goals, coaching them on how to develop their personal brands using a powerful platform: LinkedIn. Read on for tips to help you optimize your profile and grow your personal brand.

When someone hears your name, they are likely to Google you. What content is likely to rise to the top of search results? You guessed it: your LinkedIn profile. This is your first opportunity to make a lasting and positive impression. By creating a brand that speaks to who you are and who you aspire to be, you can make sure those who engage with your profile leave with a positive perception of you. LinkedIn can be a powerful platform for your career advancement if you optimize it in the right ways - here’s how:

Start with the end in mind

Begin by reflecting. Ask yourself questions that explore your career aspirations, motivations, and values. This exercise will help you generate awareness of your goals, and provide direction for your personal brand ethos. Here are some questions to get started:

What do you want to achieve in your career?
To do this, who do you need to be seen by?
Who do you need to be seen as?
What are your core values and how can you communicate them?
How do your strengths contribute to your career journey?

Create a connection with your photo and banner
Your LinkedIn photo and banner choice is an opportunity to make a lasting first impression. Choose a photo that authentically reflects who you are. A professional headshot or a fun portrait that demonstrates your character are both fair game. Is video more your style? Click the “plus” button to record a video that describes who you are, your personality, etc. As for your banner, be sure the image you choose is interesting, relevant, and representative of you and/or where you are in your career. Be sure to upload a photo with the correct aspect ratio to ensure the resolution is on point.

Use your headline to your advantage
To help you stand out, use more than your current title. LinkedIn is just as much a search engine as it is a networking platform, so choose your words wisely. Update your headline with keywords to concisely explain your experience. Be sure your headline reflects your expertise, industry, standout accolades, and even past employers when appropriate. Here's mine, for example:

Tell your story in the about section
Craft a strong summary that draws your reader in with something unique. You can turn this into a story to help you get noticed. Talk about what you are passionate about, what you are good at, what type of team/culture you work best with, and where you are headed.

This is your opportunity to dazzle
Your featured section is an opportunity to communicate what you’re passionate about by sharing articles and engaging with relevant content. For example, if you want to be seen as a data guru, feature posts, articles, or events that speak to this - even better, highlight articles that you have written!

Use your work experience to enhance your brand

Demonstrate what your brand is about through career achievements that you want to be part of your legacy. Go beyond your resume by including projects in your experience section to portray the hard work you've put in to raise the bar. Above all, communicate those things you are most proud of accomplishing and skills you've worked to develop.

Be you

Most importantly, be you. Demonstrate your values through the things you talk about. For example, if “ownership” is one of your core values, mention this on your profile either explicitly or through an example that demonstrates how you embody being an “owner” in your work. Make your profile relatable and aim to resonate with people you’d like to connect with. Write in the first person, as if you were having coffee with an industry peer. Don’t be scared to show your personality and let your character come through.

Engage with your network
The work doesn’t stop at completing your profile. Be active daily - if you don’t have time to post then comment meaningfully on other industry posts. Share, react, and comment on announcements and stories from your wider team, and share your personal wins and milestones proudly. Add value to the conversation relevant to your brand.

Your personal brand can make a huge impression on recruiters who are looking to fill roles. Use these tips to help you elevate your profile and stand out from other candidates. At Snowflake, we’re looking for motivated people to join us! If you’re eager to make an impact and propel your career by mobilizing the world’s data, check out our open roles. Happy personal branding!