As summer winds down and employers gear up for the fall hiring season, there’s one powerful tool every professional should be sharpening right now: their personal brand.
Whether you're actively job-hunting or seeking to advance in your current career, the months of August and September are critical windows of opportunity. Many companies begin evaluating hiring needs, finalizing budgets, and posting new job openings at the end of summer. By taking the time now to refine your online presence and professional identity, you’ll be ahead of the curve—and top of mind.
Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever
Personal branding is how you present your unique value to the world. It’s the combination of your skills, experiences, reputation, and presence—both online and offline. In today’s competitive job market, hiring managers are not only looking at resumes. They’re checking LinkedIn profiles, reviewing social media activity, and looking for signs of leadership, communication, and consistency.
According to a 2024 CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates, and more than half have found content that influenced their decision not to hire someone. On the flip side, a strong, authentic personal brand can lead to better job offers, networking opportunities, and even invitations to speak, collaborate, or lead.
Summer: The Smart Time to Strategize
While many people use summer to unplug, successful professionals use it to recharge and refocus. With fewer competing demands and a slower work pace in many industries, now is the perfect time to:
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Audit your online presence: Ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects your current experience and strengths. Update your headshot, headline, and summary.
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Create content or share insights: Posting articles or engaging in thoughtful industry conversations signals that you're active, informed, and passionate about your field.
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Clarify your messaging: Know how to confidently communicate who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for next.
The Power of Face-to-Face Networking
While building your digital brand is essential, in-person networking is irreplaceable. Summer and early fall offer prime opportunities to meet others in your field at professional events, mixers, and community gatherings. These face-to-face moments help humanize your brand and make lasting impressions.
Meeting someone in person allows for authentic conversation, immediate connection, and the kind of trust that’s difficult to build online. A firm handshake, shared laugh, or thoughtful follow-up can make you memorable in a sea of digital noise.
According to a 2023 LinkedIn survey, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and professionals who regularly attend in-person events report higher levels of opportunity awareness and career satisfaction.
If you’re not attending at least one local networking event per month, you’re likely missing out on untapped connections that could lead to mentorships, collaborations, and new career paths.
Your Brand Is Your Leverage
A well-developed personal brand works for you even when you're not in the room. But face-to-face networking helps get you into the room in the first place.
When fall comes around and inboxes flood with resumes, the candidates who have already been building visibility, credibility, and relationships—both online and in person—will have a clear advantage.
So use these last weeks of summer wisely. Invest in yourself, refine your brand, get out into your community, and position yourself to step confidently into the next season of your career.
Sources:
- CareerBuilder, “70 Percent of Employers Use Social Media to Screen Candidates,” https://press.careerbuilder.com
- LinkedIn Talent Solutions, “Global Talent Trends Report,” https://business.linkedin.com
- Forbes, “Why Personal Branding Is More Important Than Ever,” https://www.forbes.com
- Harvard Business Review, “Your Personal Brand Needs a Strategy,” https://hbr.org
- LinkedIn, “Why Face-to-Face Networking Still Matters,” https://www.linkedin.com
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