When I first started my job search, I approached it like most people do — lots of applications, lots of waiting, and a little too much hoping something would finally land.
But after hundreds of applications, dozens of interviews, and more rejection emails than I’d like to count, I realized something important:
I would never launch a product without defining its brand first. So why was I trying to market myself without one?
That simple shift changed everything.
Start with a Brand Mindset
Once you start seeing yourself as a brand, your whole job search changes.
You stop trying to fit into every description and start focusing on what makes you stand out — your story, your strengths, and the environments where you truly thrive.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want people to remember after meeting me?
- What feeling do I want my resume, portfolio, or LinkedIn to create?
- What do I want my work to say about me when I’m not in the room?
This isn’t about being flashy or performative. It’s about being intentional — clear, consistent, and authentic to who you are.
Create a Personal Mood Board
I made a visual mood board to anchor my brand — just like I would for a creative project.
Mine drew inspiration from the same palette I use for Brambles Handicraft:
- Colors: plum, rose, and sage — warm, grounded, and quietly confident
- Textures & imagery: soft light, handmade materials, and cozy cottage tones
- Voice & tone: genuine, creative, thoughtful, and calm
- Work environment: collaborative, purpose-driven, imaginative
This mood board became my compass.
Whenever I wrote a post, designed my resume, or refreshed my LinkedIn banner, I came back to it. If something didn’t fit that cozy, creative energy — I let it go.
Build Your Personal Style Guide
Once your mood board feels true to you, build a simple style guide to stay consistent.
Include:
- Tone of voice: Are you conversational? Strategic? Empathetic?
- Visual elements: Fonts, color palette, imagery that feels right for your story
- Key themes: What 3–4 ideas define your professional identity?
For me, those themes are: storytelling, mission-driven work, creative strategy, and authenticity.
This guide keeps every touchpoint — resume, portfolio, LinkedIn — sounding and feeling like the same person.
Apply It Everywhere
Once my brand identity came together, I infused it into everything:
- My LinkedIn headline became a message of value, not just a title.
- My portfolio reflected the same warmth and tone as my mood board.
- My thank-you notes carried the same calm, creative energy.
Soon, I started hearing a common comment from recruiters and hiring managers:
“Your materials feel cohesive.”
That’s when I knew it was working. My applications started standing out because they looked and sounded unmistakably me.
The Takeaway
You are your own product — and that’s not a bad thing.
Defining your personal brand gives your job search focus and heart.
Before you hit “apply” again, take a moment to define:
- Who you are and what you stand for
- The look and feel that express that
- The emotion you want people to associate with your name
When your visuals, words, and story align, your confidence and clarity shine through — and opportunities start finding you will make every part of your job search easier and more effective.
🪄 Pro Tip: If you want a starting point, check out my earlier post on telling your story without sounding like a resume here.
Jacqueline Willoughby 