Personal brand – often described as ‘what people say about you when you’re not in the room’ is a key topic for working professionals today. We sat down with Cherry Kent, a Luxembourg-based Employability Consultant, to seek insights into how a strong personal brand can help you land your next career move.
Photo: Cherry Kent, Employability Consultant
Why should candidates invest time on their personal brand?
In this digital age, the world is more visual, competitive and fast-paced – making it hard for people to stand out in the employment market. Having a strong personal brand will help professionals get noticed and be heard, opening up opportunities that may otherwise have been lost.
Should your LinkedIn profile be an exact replica of your CV?
Not an exact replica, no. There will be an overlap of some content, such as education and professional experience, but your CV doesn’t need to contain everything. Instead, it should be a condensed summary of your career in two pages or less, whereas LinkedIn is the better place for detail.
In your opinion, what does a great CV look like?
First impressions count. For me, a great CV is polished, professional, easy to navigate and demonstrates that the candidate has spent time on it. It should catch the recruiter’s attention, making them want to pick up the phone to learn more.
“As we don’t yet know what jobs will exist in the future, I believe it’s important to continuously invest in yourself to stay relevant from an employment perspective.”
Should CVs vary in terms of style based on industry?
Some industries, such as research and academia, are more traditional – whereas in marketing and communications, CVs are often more creative. In general, however, I feel a strong, confident, clear and concise CV should be suitable for most industries.
What are some practical ways that professionals can improve their personal brand?
Upskill, get headshots, have a great network and engage with it, volunteer and give back to the community – all these things are important for your personal brand and to keep pace in a competitive marketplace.
Do you think Gen Zs are more attuned to the importance of personal brand? Why?
Absolutely. They have grown up with social media, so being on camera and visually showing their personality is a normal part of life for this generation. When I’m training students, they understand that potential employers will likely check their social media profiles, but it goes both ways too. In return, Gen Zs expect employers to share insights into their culture so they can check if it’s the right fit for them. Beyond the salary package, we’re seeing young talent wanting to work for companies that offer meaningful work and support global issues.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am excited, yet also nervous, about the future of AI in the recruitment space and how personal branding will come into play. As we don’t yet know what jobs will exist in the future, I believe it’s important to continuously invest in yourself to stay relevant from an employment perspective. You are never too old to try and learn something new – so invest and reinvent yourself and keep exploring opportunities.
To learn more about Cherry Kent, visit here.
