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Consortia is an experienced and trusted agency specialising in digital tech and cyber recruitment, sourcing both permanent and contract talent solutions for notoriously hard to source markets. Our specialist recruitment for talent short markets means that for the last ten years, we have built extensive talent pools and know our markets inside out. Here, we are offering our top tips to help build your personal brand.

1. Record

One of the most important things that many of us overlook, is to continue to document and maintain a record of our work achievements, and this oversight can hinder us when looking for that next job.

It’s likely that since your search for your current job, you’ve not updated your C.V., portfolio or online professional profile (LinkedIn, GitHub, etc.). So, when the time comes and you are ready for your next role, the challenge begins; to recap and remember(!) your tasks and achievements over the tenure of your time with the current company. It’s important to keep on top of your achievements as you will likely forget some of the examples and scenarios that you can speak about to potential new employees.

UX Designer, Jessica Ivins, wrote about building a CMD (Career Management Document), which works not only for UX Designers, but all job seekers. It’s becoming increasingly important, as analysis and documentation is so much more readily available, to have proof of your achievements and tangible results to back up your claims.

2. Presence

According to LinkedIn Talent Insights “Social professional networks are the number one source of quality hires, followed by internet job boards and employee referrals.”

The key to great personal branding is consistency and keeping “front of mind”; being a presence.
87% of active and passive candidates are open to new job opportunities.* This means that even though the workforce split (70 : 30 passive to active talent)* may infer that you are only appealing to 30% of the workforce, a large percentage (87%) made up of both active seekers (as well as those satisfied in their current roles) would be open to moving jobs for the right circumstances.

This means that keeping your profile updated, ensuring that you include additional experience as and when you achieve it, is essential if you’d like to develop your career, either within the same company or outside of it.

It also means being an active part of your community. This means sharing relevant information that you learn and showing that you know your field by contributing to groups and having a voice. Due to the more regulated approach that LinkedIn has now taken on groups, it means that the calibre of people within this group is high and these are an already-engaged audience, so you can maximise relevant exposure. However, be warned: this group will know their stuff, so ask something of worth.

3. Referral

The more you’re connecting and networking; the more people you get to know but be mindful about who with - and how you are building your profile. The way in which you make connections can influence your reputation – and future. If you’re looking to connect with someone who has great connections that you’d like to be closer to, think about what you are offering, and why they may want to accept you. If they have written content or have shared insights that you believe to be of great worth, tell them – this will help!

Be aware of how you are coming across and don’t burn bridges. After all, 45% of LinkedIn users are in upper management (i.e. Directors, VPs and C-suite connections) **, so you never know who they are connected to who may be instrumental to future hiring decisions for you.

Additionally, one in every 20 LinkedIn profiles is a recruiter, and they’re always on the look out for new talent.** Recruiters have some of the best networks on LinkedIn, and you may be contacted on occasion, but no matter how happy you feel in your role presently, you never know what will happen in the future, so be polite. Of course, there’s something in it for them, but if you are rude and rub them up the wrong way, they may choose to prioritise another candidate over you.

4. Authority

Nothing speaks louder than a recommendation or endorsement. If it’s from the right person. It’s said that per job, two to three endorsements are regarded as best practice. It’s important to get a decent “spread”, in terms of the various people that you interact with in your professional life. So, suppliers, colleagues, managers and any other relevant contacts to help build your reputation or “report card”.

All of this seems like common sense, but if you’re not doing this, you could be missing a trick!

If you’d like to speak to any of our Consultants about how to best present yourself, please get in touch. We can help.

Consortia is an experienced and trusted recruitment agency specialising in sourcing both permanent and contract talent solutions for notoriously hard to source markets across Digital, Tech and Cyber Security.

We offer specialist recruitment for talent short markets and we strive to ensure that we are experts in our three fields: Digital Tech and Cyber recruitment. Within these sectors, our specialist teams listen to, consult and advise our clients and candidates, making sure we deliver the best possible recruitment experience.

 

* LinkedIn Talent Insights 2019
** LinkedIn For Professional Development in 2018

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