The Total Picture with a Job Seeker Personal Brand 

Many professionals don’t think about their next job search until they’re actively looking for a new role. What they don’t know is that their image as a candidate often takes shape much earlier.

It might come as a surprise, but the American Staffing Association reports “44% of working U.S. adults believe an active social media presence is more likely to hurt someone’s career than help.”

Whether you are already applying for a new position or are just willing to listen to new opportunities, your digital presence, communication skills, and consistency are already contributing to how recruiters and hiring managers perceive you. At M&F Talent, we recommend focusing on the “total picture” of how recruiters and hiring managers perceive you – and how it shapes your job seeker personal brand.

What Does “The Total Picture” Mean in a Job Search?

Employers look at the entirety of what a candidate brings to the table. While your resume is part of that puzzle, your professional image is built across multiple touchpoints, including your:

• LinkedIn profile
• Communication style
• Online engagement and comments
• Network and associations
• Consistency between documents and profiles

In fact, CareerBuilder reports that 70% of hiring companies “use social media and online search engines to screen job applicants.” With such a reliance on digital channels in job searching and hiring today, it’s important to consider if “all your pieces fit together.”  If not, it is essential that you critically assess your professional profile, digital footprint, and overall job seeker personal brand.

Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile Should Tell the Same Story

Did you know that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn on a regular basis? Even more astonishing is the fact that 6 people are hired through the social media platform every minute across the globe. 

Due to these astonishing statistics, one of the biggest mistakes candidates make is failing to align their LinkedIn profiles and résumés. At the most basic level, the two should match in terms of job titles, dates, achievements, and overall career progression. The most forward-looking candidates also ensure that the writing, tone, and overall messaging are mirrored between their LinkedIn profiles and résumés.

Common Inconsistencies with Professional Profiles

Especially when it comes to competitive positions like outside sales jobs, something as simple as a broken link or incomplete profile may be interpreted as a lack of attention to detail. In turn, a simple oversight can result in you losing an opportunity to another job seeker. 

Common inconsistencies and issues with professional profiles include:

• Outdated job titles
• Missing recent roles
• Different employment dates
• Generic headlines
• Broken profile links
• Missing contact information

If you’re concerned about the time required for extensive editing, AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline the process. Simply input your professional assets and ask the model to identify inconsistencies.  A recruiting partner like M&F Talent can also be a serious asset when it comes to polishing your portfolio and strengthening your job seeker personal brand.

Your Online Activity Is Part of Your Professional Brand

What you do (or fail to do) online shapes your professional brand. Every time you share a Facebook post, interact with people in digital forums, or make comments on LinkedIn, it influences how employers view you. Prospective employers are especially concerned about a candidate’s online behavior when it comes to leadership, sales, and customer-facing roles. Namely because, these people are literally “the face of the company.” 

Comments Matter More Than People Think

Employers want to see you engaging with others on professional forums like LinkedIn. However, you must avoid any comments that appear reactive or unprofessional. Harvard Business Review puts it like this: “Your social media presence can make or break your job search. Tapping into your network’s connections and ideas can give you an edge, but it’s critical to be savvy and maintain professionalism.” 

What You Share Says Something About You

Be careful about sharing or reposting polarizing content. Focus on content that delivers industry insights or speaks to your professionalism. For example, CEA professionals who discuss the latest technologies and cultivation techniques tend to garner a good deal of positive activity online. 

It’s important to note that some prospective employers may review months or years of past online activity. 

Responsiveness & Your Job Seeker Personal Brand

The quality and timeliness of email, text, and phone communication can significantly impact the hiring process. For candidates, delayed responses are often interpreted as a lack of interest or poor follow-through, causing even highly qualified individuals to lose momentum. 

Why Response Time Matters to Recruiters & Hiring Parties

Recruiters and hiring managers have tight timelines and deadlines to operate within. Regardless of the job in question, you are almost certainly competing with equally qualified professionals. In fact, studies show that, “about 250 candidates compete for every job opening.” 

If you want to stand out in a crowd, be sure to communicate more effectively than your competitors. If you do, hiring parties will definitely take notice. 

Small Details That Leave a Big Impression

How you engage with hiring managers, recruiters, and internal stakeholders serves as a “work sample” for how you would communicate with clients or colleagues once hired. To ensure you remain a top-tier candidate, prioritize these high-impact habits:

• Check your email regularly
• Respond to LinkedIn messages
• Use a professional email address
• Follow up when requested
• Confirm receipt of key details 
• Optimize voice & text messaging 

Consistently showing up as a reliable professional can be the deciding factor that tips the scales in your favor during the final selection process.

Level Up Your Job Seeker Personal Brand with M&F Talent 

While many professionals wait until they are actively back on the market to consider their candidacy, a professional reputation is built long before a job search begins. The most successful candidates understand that their personal brand is a continuous project, not a reactionary task.

Mac & Fulton Talent Partners works closely with candidates in key industries like agriculture, food production, and CEA to help them develop professional profiles and advance their careers. If you’re preparing for your next career move, our team is here to help. 

Contact us to schedule a consultation!