How To Build A Personal Brand After A Job Loss

So you’ve been hit hard with a job loss? While it may seem logical to eat ice cream and drink wine (yes, both) in a soothing bubble bath, I have another idea that will bring you closer to employment than those shriveled up, prune-like, wrinkly toes ever will.  

You have a new gig now, and that is building your personal brand into a bright and shiny object that appeals to employers and attracts an offer (or two!) that will make you break out the bubbly. 

A personal brand? How do you do that? Here are 10 tips.

You’re like a company now

Crafting a personal mission statement is just as powerful for individual brands as it is for businesses. Who are you? What do you stand for? What are your goals? I want to _____. I want others to think of me as ____. My ultimate goal is to _______. Think short and sweet, but there are no rules as long as what you want to accomplish and how you want to do it is clear. 

Start a blog

I know, I know, but everyone is a writer! Don’t stress about writing long-form content with words that make you stutter and sentences that demand a pause for a breath. Write what you know and don’t worry about length. A blog will not only create engagement, but will show that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about what you’re doing. 

Join the convo

Don’t be a digital wallflower! There are plenty of people to dance with and plenty of parties to join, metaphorically speaking of course. Get involved in group discussions and be a part of conversations that are relevant to your goals and mission. Active participation will allow you to make connections, gain insight from others, and maybe even get noticed by a potential boss.

Drop the front

Be yourself, be yourself, be yourself… Just Friends, anyone? Transparency will give you the opportunity to break away from the pack and showcase what talents you have and what makes you shine. Are you exactly like your neighbor? No, and that’s a good thing. Diversity is beautiful and we need to stop pretending to be like other people and just be who we are. Your brand is as unique as a fingerprint, or those socks that Aunt Suzy sewed for you last winter. 

Don’t be a robot

While you’re building your personal brand for professional reasons, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun doing it. Drop the Stepford Wife persona; you don’t need to be perfect to be consistent. Have fun with your branding, incorporate your personality, and don’t worry about sticking to a script. A unique brand shows individualism and confidence.

Network like you mean it

Even if you’re not the type of person who salivates at the thought of an afternoon networking event, “who you know” can land you the job that you want. Consider LinkedIn a networking platform, and your profile your new business card. Use it to build up relationships and make new connections that could lead to a job offer.

Lay it all out there

While maybe it’s not appropriate to divulge every nitty-gritty detail, at least share that you’re unemployed. No matter why you lost your job, it’s not a Scarlet Letter. If you don’t mention that you are job hunting, why would anyone present you with an opportunity? Respectfully and professionally let it be known that you’re looking for employment! No shame in that! 

Have a focus

You can’t be everything to everyone. Focus your personal branding on an industry, a skillset, or a target audience. Remember that you’re not creating content for everyone. It all goes back to your goal and who you want to engage with your online presence. If Rhonda in Texas doesn’t like your content, maybe your content isn’t made for Rhonda.

Tell a story

You probably already know that I’m a huge advocate for transparency and story sharing. Make an impact with your personal brand by letting your audience in on who you are, what your journey looks like, and where you’re trying to go. You don’t need to share what you ate for breakfast, but if you give them something real that they can connect with, it will hopefully create interest.

Be patient

We are in a society of immediate gratification, and when you’re ready for your next gig, it can be hard to wait. Give yourself grace, be patient, and why not squeeze in a couple more episodes of Tiger King while you wait? A quality personal brand cannot be created overnight, so give it attention and give it time. It will be worth the wait.

Go ahead and indulge in your Red Blend and Chunky Monkey, and when you’re done soaking your troubles in bubbles, put on your robe (you don’t even need real clothes) and start creating opportunities for yourself by building a personal brand.