It’s your tenth application of the day. You've polished your resume, updated your LinkedIn profile, and crossed your fingers for a callback. Yet, despite your efforts, you can't seem to break through the noise and capture the attention of potential employers. Sound familiar?
In today's competitive job market, having a strong online presence is key to standing out among an endless sea of applicants. While updating your LinkedIn profile is a solid starting point, there are a slew of strategies you can employ to enhance your digital footprint and increase your visibility to potential employers.
Let’s go beyond conventional advice and explore five unique strategies to build a strong online presence.
5 tips for building a strong online presence
1. Diversify your platforms
While LinkedIn remains a powerhouse for professional networking, don't limit yourself to just one platform. More and more recruiters are tapping into niche online communities like GitHub and PowerToFly to find the right candidates for their job requisitions.
You might be thinking: “Isn’t GitHub just for software engineers?” Yes and no! It’s true that GitHub is a nucleus for all things coding-related, but it’s also a tool for all types of tech-related roles. Everyone from UI/UX designers to product managers can showcase their skills, collaborate on projects, and connect with like-minded professionals in this open-source community.
Building your presence on GitHub shows potential employers that you’re not just talk; you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty of tech projects. You never know — you might end up submitting a pull request on a project with your future employer!
Then, there’s PowerToFly, the women-run career platform dedicated to helping you find belonging at work. PowerToFly allows you to create a free professional profile that’s visible to hundreds of recruiters at the world’s most inclusive companies. Even more, your membership gets you access to a myriad of free networking events and upskilling webinars with potential future teammates!
Imagine this: You attend a Chat & Learn with a senior recruiter at your dream company and start to build a connection during the conversation. Following the chat, the recruiter reviews the registration list and is impressed by your PowerToFly profile. They reach out to you about a recent opening on the team, and voilà — you’ve bypassed the cold application stage and got your foot in the door.
2. Leverage the power of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just for sci-fi movies anymore. Nowadays, you can enlist the help of AI to overcome writer’s block and spruce up your online profiles.
Need to write a blurb on your professional experience, career goals, or top skill sets? Try prompting GenAI tools like ChatGPT or Copy.ai to give you a starting point. Always be sure to review the content, make edits, and add your own voice! AI-powered tools like Grammarly and Wordtune can also help you edit your copy, rewrite awkward sentences, and shorten wordy paragraphs. Think of them as your own digital assistants.
Beyond polishing your prose, AI-powered tools like Rezi can assist with resume keyword optimization, ensuring your profile gets noticed by the right people in today’s competitive job market. You can even analyze job postings to identify relevant skills and keywords and then add them to your online profiles and applications. In no time, you’ll be speaking directly to hiring manager’s hearts (and their algorithms).
Keep in mind that when using AI, it’s important to be aware of flaws like bias, plagiarism, and discrimination. As the user, it's up to you to create content that’s inclusive and fair.
Not sure where to start? PowerToFly offers a course on Inclusive AI Usage, part of our PowerUp catalog, that guides you through how machine learning technology works and ways to ensure your AI use is as inclusive and unbiased as possible.
3. Create engaging content
Don't just passively consume content on social media and online forums — become a content creator yourself. Share insights, industry trends, and professional achievements through blog posts, videos, or podcasts. You can then spread your message through online communities like Reddit, Slack, and Discord which all host a wealth of niche communities.
By demonstrating your expertise and passion within your field, you'll attract the attention of like-minded professionals and potential employers who value proactive thought leadership.
These forms of microcontent also make fantastic additions to your resume, digital portfolio, or job applications. If you’ve never tried filming a personalized video pitch and adding it to your cover letter, consider this your cue! There’s no better way to showcase your personality and passion than through your own words.
4. Build your own website
Crafting a standout LinkedIn profile is one thing — but imagine having your own website dedicated to singing your praises and showcasing exactly what makes you great.
It’s possible and now easier than ever thanks to tools like Canva’s website generator. No coding skills required! You can choose from a range of templates and drag and drop your favorite designs. Add links to your projects or published articles, include photos of your past work, or add a video explaining why you’re a top candidate in your field. No one can explain it better than you!
When completed, you can add your website link to your different online profiles, pop the link in your resume or cover letter, or even send it directly to recruiters. Think of this as a way to tell your story in a dynamic and immersive way, while also showcasing your creativity.
5. Optimize your digital footprint
If you’ve never Googled yourself, now is the time. Chances are, recruiters and hiring managers are doing it, too!
With the ease of finding information online, it’s important to conduct a thorough audit of your online presence to ensure consistency and professionalism across all platforms. Remove those embarrassing public photos from 2012 on your Facebook profile (we’ve all been there) or the middle school dance video that you uploaded to YouTube ages ago. Remember, what you post publicly is accessible to anyone, so take the time to clean up any questionable content that could potentially harm your professional reputation.
Once you’ve tidied up your digital footprint, it’s time to focus on building a cohesive personal brand. Update your profile photo across all online platforms to a high-quality and professional image. (No bathroom selfies.) Include a catchy headline and up-to-date summary that tells the same story to recruiters, no matter where they find your information. If you’re a sales professional with a passion for scaling B2B businesses, don’t allow any room for confusion.
Remember, your digital footprint is often the first impression employers will have of you — make it count.
The bigger picture
Building a strong online presence goes beyond mere profile updates; it's about strategically positioning yourself as a valuable asset to prospective employers. By tapping into various professional platforms, embracing AI-driven tools, and finding innovative ways to present your skills, you can elevate your job search efforts and get noticed in today's competitive job market.
Your dream job is waiting — and with the right strategy, you're closer than ever to making it a reality.
