Gone are the days when simply having the right set of hard skills could land you a lucrative job in tech. While your technical capabilities are certainly important, companies are looking beyond your ability to merely fulfill the stated requirements.
Cultural diversity and inclusion are playing larger parts in hiring decisions today, as teams look for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences to bring unique solutions to the table. Being able to communicate both vertically and horizontally within your company to reach its goals is of the utmost importance. Your brand helps showcase who you are as a professional and what you bring to the workplace, so you need to build it properly.
Looking for a place to get started? Here are some tips for crafting a strong personal brand for the tech world.
The ability to navigate technology is a must for any tech position, so establishing an online presence is one method that can help you demonstrate your capabilities.
Begin by creating a simple website that showcases you as a professional and highlights your skillset. Provide information about your area of expertise and include a portfolio filled with relevant examples to provide hiring managers with insight into your strengths.
Effectively, you want to create a living resume that delves deeper than any paper document could. Tweak the details as you target various roles and add new information as you acquire skills or experience an accomplishment.
You can also add a blog as a way to establish yourself as a subject matter expert and to express your passion for the field. Select topics that speak to your tech interests for maximum impact and try to craft content that examines each concept thoroughly.
Adding an about page is also wise. It gives you a platform to discuss more about what you have to offer and who you are as a person and professional.
If you are looking for a way to connect with other professionals and potential employers, social media is an ideal place to start. You can begin with widely-used platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but also pursue tech-oriented options like Stack Overflow and GitHub.
Since you want to make connections as a professional, you may need to update your profiles if you already have personal accounts. Make sure the accounts only include posts and media that you would consider representative of your professional personality.
Once your profiles are set up, you need to engage with the community. Find discussions that match your target field, share articles that pique your interest, and connect with other professionals that you admire. Make sure any comments you share are thoughtful and reflect a positive image.
Community online networks can also be an excellent place to build your brand. If you’re a college graduate, connect with other grads from your school through your alumni network. Identity-specific communities can also be beneficial as long as you keep your professional goals in mind when interacting with other participants.
Tech seminars and conferences can also be exceptional places for networking. You’ll have a chance to meet other professionals and take part in educational sessions that can help you keep tabs on trends or learn new skills. Make sure you have some business cards on hand and don’t forget to download the event’s app (if available) as many provide mechanisms that can help you network.
When it’s time for you to use your newfound personal brand to seek out new employment, the professionals at nTech want to hear from you. Contact us to discuss your career goals today and see how our expertise can help you cultivate a winning personal brand.