Building Your Brand While Networking Online

Cold applications don’t work. Not for most people. Not even for the “perfect” ones. We’ve all heard the advice: tailor your resume, apply early, and follow up. But here’s the reality for recent grads: – 90% of applications get ghosted – Only 2% lead to interviews – 0% lead to offers (Data from 300+ business.com interns, 80% of whom met all qualifications) I tested it myself. With a Bulge Bracket investment banking offer, four internships, VC investor experience, and multiple leadership roles in top clubs—I cold-applied to 50+ positions where I was ranked a "top" applicant. After two weeks? Only one replied. And it was a paid VC “training” program… that I had to pay to join. This isn’t just my story. It’s everyone I know. Friends with 4.0 GPAs, name-brand internships, research, double majors—students who’ve been grinding since freshman year. Still nothing. For international students, the stakes are even higher: No job = no visa = go home. Or pay $$$ for grad school with no certainty after. So what now? Everyone talks about networking as the solution. But the truth is: simple cold-call networking isn't enough. People need to know you before you even apply. That means building a personal brand. And no, I don’t mean becoming a LinkedIn influencer. I mean: – Sharing your work publicly – Owning a niche – Publishing a project or portfolio – Letting your voice and values show up online Visibility > perfection. People can’t refer you, help you, or hire you if they don’t know you exist. Right now, almost no students are doing this. So if you’re building something meaningful—if you’re learning, growing, and putting in the work—don’t keep it to yourself. Your personal brand is just as important as the work you’re doing. Make sure people can see it.

A common question when I do #personalbranding workshops at corporate events, is generally: "If I post on LinkedIn, will my manager and company think I am trying to find a new role, think I am not committed and impact my performance" Let me clear some myths: 1. I have been a content creator for over 10 yrs. on different platforms and not even once any of my leaders have questioned my commitment on the role. They actually know me more and appreciate my giving back and always challenging mindset. #storytelling #microsoftlife Microsoft 2. Trust me, if your org leaders are questioning your social network skills in today's digital world, you really need to think about - are you in the right place? 3. If you are able to showcase your strengths, share insights, engage with content connected to your values and brand, you can build and grow your professional network and help too. 4. Consistent activity actually allows you to showcase your expertise and thought leadership in your own field which is good for your own team and org as you position yourself as trusted advisor. 5. You actually are supporting your company goals and success metrics from usage perspective. 6. OK, yes, I do agree, it also helps you stand out for future opportunities but ONLY when you want. Remember, your company leaders, other than your own, can see how you are staying current and improving your skills, which can be valuable for your career growth within your current company as well. If an exceptional opportunity does arise, they'll already be familiar with your profile, making it easier for you to explore new roles when you're ready. #personalbranding #whyblendin #executivecoach #microsoftlife #productmanager #windowsserver #azure

🌟 HELLO AGAIN, LINKEDIN FAM! 🌟 It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? After taking some time to reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect with my own journey, I’m back – and I’m ready to have some real, honest conversations about building a personal brand that’s authentic, purpose-driven, and uniquely yours. Because let’s be real: LinkedIn isn’t just a platform – it’s a space where we get to share our stories, uplift each other, and create opportunities that wouldn’t exist otherwise. And your brand? It’s not just about fancy titles or polished posts; it’s about who you are, what you believe in, and how you make others feel. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about during my break, and what I’m so excited to share with you: 💫 Lesson #1: Your Brand Is Built on CONNECTION We’ve all been guilty of posting just to post or trying to impress others with “professional” language. But the truth? People crave connection. They want to know the real you – the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and the dreams you’re chasing. That’s what makes your brand memorable. 🛠️ ACTION STEP: Don’t be afraid to show up as YOU. Share that story about a time you failed, the journey you’re on, or the dream you have. Trust me, your vulnerability is your superpower. 💥 Lesson #2: Value Is Your Currency – So Give Generously One thing I’ve learned from this amazing community is that the more you give, the more you grow. Your brand isn’t about taking up space; it’s about adding value, uplifting others, and sharing insights that inspire and inform. Every piece of content, every comment, every message – it’s a chance to create value for someone else. 🛠️ ACTION STEP: Start engaging more with your network. Comment thoughtfully, share your insights, and be generous with your knowledge. The more you invest in others, the stronger your brand will become. 🔥 Lesson #3: Embrace the Journey – It's Where the Magic Happens I’ll be honest: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the “highlight reel” we see on LinkedIn. But your brand is built in the messy, imperfect, and unfiltered moments. It’s not about having it all figured out – it’s about sharing your journey, your process, and your progress. 🛠️ ACTION STEP: Share something today that’s unfinished, in progress, or imperfect. It could be a lesson you’re still learning, a challenge you’re facing, or a goal you’re working toward. I promise, someone out there needs to hear it. 🎯 What’s Next? I’m committed to showing up, sharing my journey, and supporting you in yours. In the coming weeks, I’ll be dropping insights, strategies, and tips to help you build a brand that feels authentic, aligned, and irresistibly YOU. 💬 Over to you: What’s one thing you’re struggling with when it comes to showing up on LinkedIn? Let’s start the conversation – I’d love to hear your thoughts. #PersonalBranding #Authenticity #LinkedInCommunity #BackToBasics #RealTalk

When I first ventured into building my online presence, I wasn’t sure where to start. It felt like I needed to project a flawless version of myself, which was exhausting. 😮💨 But over time, I found that what resonated with people wasn’t perfection—it was authenticity. The moment I shared my firs t post about a challenge I overcame at work, the response was overwhelming. People connected not because I had the perfect story but because I shared my real experience, including the lessons I learned along the way. 💜 Here are some tips for crafting your online professional image: Start with Your Story. Your LinkedIn summary shouldn’t just list your skills; it should reflect who you are and why you do what you do. I rewrote mine to share a bit about my journey as a first-generation college graduate and the values that drive me. Engage with Purpose. Comment on posts that resonate with you and share your perspective. This is how I built connections without even meeting people in person. I remember when a simple comment I left turned into a conversation that led to a professional collaboration months later. Post Authentically and Regularly. Your posts don’t need to be long essays. Sharing a short insight or experience can show your thought leadership and personality. The key is consistency—engage regularly to build visibility. Building your professional brand online is about letting people see who you really are. It’s not about curating a perfect image; it’s about being present, sharing, and learning from others. PS. Happy Thanksgiving, see you all MONDAY