We often speak with senior professionals who say, “I’m not looking at the moment, so I haven’t touched my profile in years.”
Fair enough, but here’s the reality: opportunities rarely come with notice. They appear in passing conversations, through recommendations, or from a quick glance at your LinkedIn profile. That’s why building your personal brand matters—not just when you’re job hunting, but all the time.
Whether you’re leading a business, sitting on a board, or heading up a high-performing team, your personal brand is already out there. The question is: are you shaping it intentionally?
What is a personal brand?
Your personal brand is how people perceive you professionally. It’s a mix of your experience, leadership style, communication, values and how you show up in your industry. It’s the impression you leave, and increasingly, it’s shaped online just as much as in person.
Your LinkedIn profile, the articles you engage with, the way you speak at events or contribute to discussions—they all add to your professional reputation. And for executives, that brand often precedes you.
“I’m not looking—why does it matter?”
Because your brand doesn’t just help you land your next job. It helps you:
- Build trust and credibility in your industry
- Be recognised for your leadership and achievements
- Open doors to board roles, partnerships, consulting work and speaking opportunities
- Be prepared if and when circumstances change
We all know the market can shift quickly. Whether it’s a restructure, a merger or something unexpected, a strong personal brand puts you in a much better position to respond rather than scramble.
Opportunities favour the visible
The truth is, many executive roles are never advertised. They’re filled through networks, referrals or recruiters keeping an eye on leaders who consistently show value and insight. If your profile is out of date or you’ve been quiet professionally, you could be missing out—without even realising it.
Executives with a clear and compelling personal brand are remembered not because they’re actively looking, but because they’ve stayed visible and relevant.
It also helps you in your current role
This isn’t just about what’s next. Your personal brand can support you right now.
Whether you’re leading change, influencing stakeholders, attracting top talent or growing your leadership presence, your reputation matters. A strong, visible brand builds confidence—in your team, your board and the broader market.
And when your organisation is in the spotlight, your personal profile reflects that strength.
How to strengthen your brand, starting today
You don’t need to overhaul everything or post every day. But small steps can make a big difference.
1. Google yourself
Have a look at what comes up. Your LinkedIn is usually the first thing people see—make sure it’s up to date and reflects the level you’re working at now. A fresh photo and a compelling headline go a long way.
2. Know your strengths
What do you want to be known for? Strategic growth? Cultural leadership? Crisis turnaround? Get clear on your unique value and make sure it shows up in how you speak, write and share.
3. Start showing up
You don’t need to create lots of content. Commenting on industry news, sharing relevant articles or celebrating team wins is a great place to start. It shows you’re engaged and connected.
4. Nurture your network
Strong personal brands are built through relationships. Reconnect with past colleagues, mentors or peers. Reach out without needing anything in return. These connections often lead to new opportunities down the track.
5. Keep track of your wins
You don’t need to update your résumé every month, but keep a record of achievements, milestones and results. When the time comes, you’ll have everything at your fingertips—and a clear narrative of your value.
Final thoughts from Laurence Executive Recruitment
At Laurence Executive Recruitment, we work with leaders across Melbourne and beyond, and often, the conversations start well before there’s a job on the table.
The truth is, personal branding isn’t about self-promotion. It’s about clarity, consistency and confidence. It’s about making sure the right people know who you are, what you bring and why it matters—regardless of whether you’re actively looking or not.
If you’d like support refining your profile, crafting your executive bio or simply staying visible in the right circles, we’d love to connect.
You never know when the right opportunity might come knocking—but you can be ready when it does.
