Branding: How to Differentiate Yourself on Your Resume & LinkedIn

First, you want to show that you meet the requirements for your target job.  Next you want take it up a notch by showing how you are special.  What makes you a top candidate?  In a highly-competitive market, you must find ways to differentiate yourself from the rest.  Here are five simple ways to brand yourself as an ideal candidate for your target job.

Impeccable Visual Presentation

The appearance of your resume and LinkedIn profile are usually the first impression of your brand.  On your LinkedIn profile, use a professional headshot. Don’t be lazy and use the default headline, write a headline that encapsulates in your personal brand. When crafting your new resume, use a contemporary design with plenty of white space.  Combine bullets and narrative formatting to facilitate a quick read. 

Showcase Your Hard-to-Find Skills

Employers generally have a list of job requirements. Additionally there are desired skills that a top-tier candidate may possess.  For example, this could be expertise in a complex programming language, graduate studies in a narrow field of research, or fluency in a foreign language.  You’ll want to mention those treasured skills in the summary at the top of your resume and LinkedIn profile. 

Align with Power Brands

Some companies have a reputation for hiring only the highest performers.  Other companies have a rigorous management training or intern program. Recruiters seek employees who have passed that program.  They use those company names as search criteria. Be sure to mention those power brands in your summary.  On LinkedIn, follow those companies and join the company alumni groups. 

Stand-out with Exceptional Accomplishments

You are a great prospective employee, so prove it!  You can do this by listing your top accomplishments under each job on your resume.  Separate those strong accomplishments by bulleting the statements.  Include figures to quantify your results whenever possible.  When writing your LinkedIn profile summary, consider adding your top three accomplishments to the summary.  You can add an asterisk before each of the three statements, so they are prominent when someone is quickly reviewing your profile.

Show Credibility through Certifications & Affiliation

Not all professionals take the time to earn industry certifications or get involved in professional associations.  If you have certifications and membership to professional groups, add these items to your resume. There is also a section on LinkedIn (Organizations) in which you can show these affiliations.  If you held leadership roles, be sure to note them.

Remember that showing your ability to perform the basic job requirements is just the beginning. There are probably hundreds of other candidates who also meet that standard.  You want to show your unique experience, skills, and expertise that separate you.  Take the time to show how you rise above the rest. Build your brand to demonstrate your candidacy!