How mid-senior level professionals can grow their personal brand

If this is your first time reading our newsletter, welcome! Why Job search advice for people that know a lot? Because so much advice is tailored to young professionals and entry level positions. Tips like putting keywords into your resume to get past the online job search aren’t so helpful when the job you want was never posted online to begin with. Most mid-senior level opportunities aren’t posted on job boards, most openings are filled through networking, and often, who you know matters more than what you know. Let us be who you know. Get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox with exclusive subscriber-only content. Sign up here: https://newsletters.meytier.com/job-search-advice-newsletter

1- Define your niche 

What do you want to be known for? You don’t have to do it all, and in fact, finding something in particular that you’d like to be known for can make it easier to grow an audience and gain traction. Here are some questions with sample answers to get you started:

• Where do I bring the most value at work? (I know how to help companies transition from legacy to modern solutions in regulated environments like wealth management)
• What aspect of my job am I really passionate about? (I’m really passionate about making the technology I build intuitive and simple to use for all) 
• What valuable experience do I have that others might not? (I’ve led engineering teams through massive product redesigns while managing compliance, risk and security, I’m not afraid of a big project)
• What are some challenges in my industry or function that I’m uniquely positioned to address? (I know how to help wealth managers modernize their tech without compromising on security, regulatory standards, or client experiences)

2- Choose an outlet

Once you’ve got a few ideas of areas where you have a unique perspective, pick one channel where you’ll start to share. Choosing a single platform can make starting feel less overwhelming. Some platforms you could consider are: LinkedIn, other social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.), industry publications, a podcast (yours or as a guest on others’), events, a blog, Substack, conferences, affinity networks, or any other platform where your peers are spending time.

3- Start small

Once you’ve decided on a platform, just start sharing. It doesn’t have to be publication-ready content, most people go to social media channels searching for authenticity, not perfection. Here are a few ideas for posts:

• Share a piece of industry news with your thoughts- e.g. “as a software developer in financial services, here are my thoughts on this new piece of technology regulation for banks”
• Share a recent insight: a trend you noticed at work or in your industry, a lesson you recently learned, or maybe just a thought you had- e.g. “how will generative AI change my industry in the long run?”

4- Be consistent and make a plan

Consistency matters more than anything. Just regularly sharing on a platform will help you naturally grow your audience and increase your reach. Make a plan. Keep it attainable at first- maybe just one or two posts per week. But stick to that plan- consistency will both help you to stay top of mind for your audience and also help you get used to engaging in this way.

5- Engage with others

As you invest in your own thought leadership efforts, make sure you engage with others’ as well. Like their posts, add a comment, share their blogs. As you engage with others, you’ll find new inspiration for content of your own, you’ll make connections in your industry, and those people are likely to engage back with your content as well.

Another way to engage with others is to collaborate. There are tons of ways you can join forces with another thought leader- you could interview them, co-host an event, guest write for their blog, do a Q&A together, etc. It is a win-win for both of you- you’ll deepen your own thought leadership, access new audiences, and lend some credibility to one another. 

Positioning yourself as a thought leader isn’t just a job search tool, it is a way for you to grow your influence in your industry. As you grow your platform, you’ll connect with peers, stay visible for future opportunities, and get a chance to shape the conversations happening in your field. Becoming a thought leader isn’t about having millions of followers or a huge platform, it is about sharing the wisdom you’ve gained throughout your career.