Are you feeling discouraged because you’re continually applying for roles but not getting any traction? Unfortunately, having experience isn’t always enough to land your next IT role. Although on the surface it might seem daunting, building a personal brand can help you stand out, attract job opportunities, and open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Don’t worry, we’re not talking about turning yourself into some kind of social media influencer. Personal branding for tech professionals is more about showing your work, sharing your thinking, and becoming discoverable by the right people. Here’s how to do it without being cringey.
1. Start Blogging
Blogging might sound old-school, but it’s still one of the best ways to showcase how you think. You don’t have to write essays—just short, useful posts that explain how you solved a tricky coding issue, what you learned from a recent project, or your take on new tools in your space.
What it shows:
- Communication skills
- Depth of knowledge
- Curiosity and initiative
Where to post: Medium, Hashnode, Dev.to, or your own site (if you’re feeling ambitious). Cross-posting to LinkedIn will create even more reach.
2. Contribute to Open-Source Projects
This is the tech world’s version of “show, don’t tell.” Getting involved in open-source projects, whether it’s writing code, testing, updating documentation, or filing issues, demonstrates collaboration, coding skills, and your ability to work in real-world environments.
Where to start:
- Browse issues labeled “good first issue” on GitHub
- Join open-source communities on Discord or Reddit
- Contribute to tools you actually use—it’s easier and more motivating
Bonus: Recruiters often search GitHub for talent. Having a presence there gives them a reason to reach out.
3. Take LinkedIn Seriously
If you only log into LinkedIn when you’re job hunting, you’re missing a huge opportunity. A well-written, keyword-optimized profile can help recruiters find you even while you’re sleeping. And posting insights on the regular helps keep you top of mind with your network.
What to do:
- Craft a clear, concise headline (not just “Software Developer”)
- Use the “About” section to tell your story—who you are and what kind of work you love
- Share wins, lessons learned, or cool resources you’ve found
LinkedIn is also a great place to share your blog posts and open-source contributions, multiplying your visibility.
4. Speak at Meetups, Panels, or Podcasts
You don’t have to be a keynote speaker to share your experience. Local meetups, community conferences, and even podcasts are always looking for voices from the trenches. Talk about a tough project, a career pivot, or how you broke into the field.
It builds credibility, gives you Google-able content (hello, discoverability), and boosts your confidence.
5. Build a Project that Solves a Real Problem
Side projects can be powerful brand builders; ideally, they’ll reflect your interests or solve real-world problems. They show initiative, creativity, and practical skills. And, they give you something tangible to talk about in interviews or blog posts.
It doesn’t need to go viral. A simple app, script, or dashboard can make an impact—especially if it’s well-documented and lives somewhere public like GitHub or a personal site.
6. Be a Resource for Others
Answering questions on Stack Overflow, joining discussions on Reddit, mentoring junior developers, or creating how-to content on YouTube all contribute to your personal brand. When you help others, you build authority, and your name starts to become known in the right circles.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do all of these things. Pick one or two that feel natural and commit to showing up consistently. The point of a personal brand is to give people a glimpse of what it’s like to work with you, how you think, and what you care about.
In the competitive tech job market, your skills get you in the door. Your personal brand helps the right people find you in the first place.
If you want to jump start your job search, we can help. Let’s connect!
