Tips & Tricks
Our partners
1 min leestijd
Personal branding tips without fuss – 5 pieces of advice to position yourself powerfully
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Whether at a job interview, on LinkedIn or during a networking event; people form an image of you very quickly. How do you make sure that image matches who you really are? That’s where personal branding comes in.
Whether you are a student, starter or young professional, gaining insight into your personal brand is one of the most powerful steps you can take for your career. It gives you more confidence, visibility, direction and contributes directly to your professional success and job satisfaction.
What is personal branding anyway?
Personal branding is not about selling yourself or pretending to be better than you are. It’s about authenticity: knowing what you stand for, making conscious choices and daring to express that visibly. This is how you build a reputation that suits you and opens doors.
In an episode of Ambitious x Integrand the Podcast, we talked about this with Susanne Bavinck(SBB Comms). As a strategist and creative brain in the field of marketing, communication and personal (re)branding, she helps professionals make their unique value visible.
5 tips to strengthen your personal brand
1. Know what you stand for
Everything starts with self-insight. Who are you? What are your core values? What makes you unique? This will help you to be recognizable to others and create confidence to attract the right opportunities. Susanne explains that it’s not about constant self-promotion, having thousands of followers or a logo. It’s about your unique combination of qualities, values, expertise, personality and how you consistently convey that in both your online presentations to your personal interactions.
2. Consistency = key
Whether it’s a job application, LinkedIn profile or how you present yourself in a work situation; make sure your story rings true throughout. Consider an application for an internship through Integrand: if you say you are curious and eager to learn, show that in your cover letter as well as in your profile interviews.
3. Increase your online visibility
How do you come across online? Google yourself or take a critical look at your LinkedIn profile. Ask yourself: could it be more professional? Susanne emphasized that visibility does not mean you have to post daily. It can also be something small, like sharing a reflection after your internship experience or commenting on a LinkedIn post that fits your field or interests.
4. Stay close to yourself
Your energy and enthusiasm are your most powerful calling cards. So do things that make you happy and give you energy. Students who discover what gives them energy through an internship at Integrand can immediately use that to sharpen their personal brand.
5. Give it more depth
Ask yourself why you share or care about something. Are you posting something on LinkedIn? Explain why it is relevant to you. An example: instead of just writing that you completed an internship, share what you learned or what values of the company inspired you. This gives your personal brand more substance.
Why is this important to you as a student or starter?
At Integrand, we help students discover their talents through internships and traineeships. Personal branding connects seamlessly with that: it makes you aware of who you are, what you stand for and how you can show that. This not only gives you a better chance of getting that dream internship or first job, but also helps you make choices that really suit you.
🎧 Wondering how you can apply this concretely in your studies or career?
Then listen to the full episode of Ambitious x Integrand the Podcast with Susanne Bavinck via Spotify.
Hosts: Milou de Mönnink & Floris van Lieshout
