Before you start actively searching for a job, you need to understand exactly what you offer. This moment of self-reflection requires honesty and the ability to critically assess your strengths. The recruitment process is essentially about consciously presenting your assets—not artificially, but by skillfully highlighting what could be valuable to a company. Think in terms of branding—what are your strengths, what makes you unique, what can you bring to a team? This self-analysis is the foundation for creating consistent application documents and preparing for job interviews where you can talk about yourself confidently, clearly, and credibly. Knowing your worth has nothing to do with arrogance—it’s a rational approach that allows you to plan your career in line with your capabilities and goals.
The first step in defining your value is identifying your strengths. Think about the areas in which you naturally excel. These could be hard skills acquired during your studies, such as programming languages, specialized software, or language proficiency. Equally important are soft skills—communication, teamwork, creativity, time management, and problem-solving. List all your assets, even the ones that seem obvious. Recall situations where your actions led to positive outcomes—what did you do well? Ask for feedback from friends, classmates, or professors—their perspectives can be very valuable.
At the same time, think about your interests. What are you passionate about? What tasks give you satisfaction? Where do you see yourself in a few years? Combining your natural strengths with genuine interests can help you identify a career path that is not only achievable but also fulfilling. This way, you can focus more effectively on areas of the job market that align with your ambitions, increasing the impact of your efforts.
Being aware of your strengths and interests is only the starting point—equally important is showing them in action. Even without formal work experience, you’ve likely been involved in projects, presentations, student organizations, volunteer work, or online courses that demonstrate your abilities. Recall moments when you led a team, solved a problem, or helped organize an event. Even part-time jobs can reflect responsibility and teamwork skills. It’s not just participation that matters, but how you talk about it—clearly describe your role, tools used, and outcomes achieved. Collecting these examples, even in a portfolio format, will help you present yourself as a candidate aware of your value, with real actions to back it up.
Modern recruitment processes often go beyond traditional documents. A recent CBOS study showed that nearly every person in Poland aged 18 to 44 uses the internet. It’s no surprise, then, that employers often check online information to get a fuller picture of a candidate. Your online presence—what can be found about you in search engines and social media—is an unofficial but very influential part of your self-presentation. Sometimes, a quick glance at your profile is enough for a recruiter to form an opinion and decide on the next steps.
What does Google say about you?
The simplest way to check your digital footprint is to search your name using an incognito browser window, so the results aren’t skewed by your search history. Analyze what shows up on the first page. Are there links to your social profiles, academic achievements, or projects? Or perhaps content you’d rather a recruiter didn’t see—party photos, negative comments from years ago, or involvement in controversial groups? Pay attention not only to what you’ve posted, but also to what others have tagged you in.
After this audit, take action. Review privacy settings on all your social media accounts—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok. Decide what content should be public and what should be limited to friends. Remove or hide any posts, photos, or comments that may be considered unprofessional.
Phrases like "I have strong analytical skills" or "I am a creative person" may sound professional, but without concrete examples, they quickly lose credibility. Tangible proof of your skills carries much more weight. A portfolio—a collection of selected projects and work—is a useful tool that allows recruiters to evaluate the real results of your efforts instead of relying only on your CV claims.
Should every candidate have a portfolio?
While not every job posting requires a portfolio, having one is becoming a major advantage that can help candidates stand out. For students or graduates, a portfolio is an invaluable tool to showcase practical skills gained during studies, projects, internships, or involvement in student organizations. For employers, it’s concrete evidence of your potential and commitment, showing how you handle real tasks.
A portfolio can include polished presentations, reports, data analyses, or project plans—anything that demonstrates hard skills, analytical thinking, and organization. IT professionals might share code snippets, architects could include technical documentation or project summaries, and creative professionals might showcase written work, videos, graphic designs, or other samples. It’s essential not only to document your achievements regularly but also to carefully select the examples that best align with specific job requirements.
Creating and Sharing Your Portfolio
Gathering materials is not enough—how you present them matters just as much. The format should suit your industry and the nature of your work. Often, simple solutions work best, and there are many ways to create a portfolio:
Cloud folder – Create an organized space on Google Drive or Dropbox and share a direct link with recruiters. It’s easy to manage and doesn’t require extra apps.
LinkedIn profile – Use the “Featured” section to showcase links to your projects, publications, or presentations. Recruiters regularly check this section for more information.
Portfolio website – Especially recommended in creative and IT fields. Simple, aesthetic portfolios can be created using platforms like Wix, Canva, WordPress, or Behance.
Include a link to your portfolio in a prominent place on your CV—ideally in your contact details or career summary—and mention it in your cover letter to highlight its importance.
Keep your portfolio updated to reflect your progress. It’s not just about adding new projects but sometimes refreshing how they’re presented. This is especially important for online portfolios—an outdated design or platform can reflect poorly on your current skills, particularly in design or media-related fields. To learn more about updating your website, check out this article: https://internetica.pl/blog/dlaczego-warto-przeprowadzac-co-jakis-czas-modernizacje-strony/. If you care about improving your site’s visibility in search results, consider learning about SEO principles.
Networking is often associated with formal business events and exchanging business cards. But in the context of building a personal brand, especially early in your career, networking is about developing genuine, valuable professional relationships. For students just entering the job market, a network of contacts can be an invaluable source of knowledge, support, and job opportunities. Many junior or internship-level positions are never publicly advertised—they circulate within companies or through informal channels and referrals.
Networking at university and beyond
Start building professional contacts during your studies—both in and outside the classroom. This is a time full of opportunities for conversations, collaboration, and exchanging experiences. These interactions pay off not only early in your career but also in later stages. Talk to professors, especially those active in the industry—they often have valuable contacts and practical knowledge. Get involved in university life—student clubs and organizations help you develop new skills, meet like-minded people, and connect with companies cooperating with your university.
Attending trainings, workshops, and job fairs broadens your horizons and offers chances to talk directly with employers. After an interesting lecture, consider reaching out to the speaker. A simple thank-you note can be the beginning of a valuable relationship. Networking isn’t a one-time activity—it’s an ongoing process requiring consistency, authenticity, and mutual engagement.
Your personal brand is not created through one-off actions; it’s the sum of all your interactions, messages, and behavior in a professional context. Every element—from your CV and online profiles to how you act in interviews—contributes to the overall image you present. Inconsistencies can undermine trust and ruin a positive impression. That’s why consistency and attention to detail are crucial—they reflect your professionalism and commitment to career development.
Professionalism in Every Interaction
Your professional image is shaped not only during job interviews but also in everyday communication. Every detail counts. To build a trustworthy image, remember these guidelines:
Ensure consistency – Make sure your education, experience, and skills are the same across all materials—CV, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and interviews. Discrepancies can damage your credibility.
Use professional tools – Choose an email address like “firstname.lastname@domain” and avoid informal nicknames.
Check your language – Always review spelling and grammar in emails, messages, and documents—mistakes suggest a lack of attention to detail.
Respond promptly – Aim to reply to recruiters within 24–48 hours.
Present yourself professionally – Use a clear profile photo with a neutral background and dress appropriately for the situation.
Respect others’ time – Be punctual and well-prepared for both in-person and online meetings, showing your engagement and professionalism.
Building a personal brand is a conscious, long-term process that starts well before you send your first CV. For students and graduates entering the job market, it’s a particularly valuable investment that helps you stand out and increases your chances of securing a satisfying first job. Instead of seeing personal branding as a tedious task, treat it as an opportunity to get to know yourself better, define your goals, and proactively shape your professional future. Starting early—during your studies—helps you build a clear career profile that recruiters can easily understand and align with your aspirations. Though it takes time, consistency, and reflection, developing your personal brand can truly influence the direction your career will take.
Sources:
CBOS – Internet Usage in 2024
Your Personal Brand | College of Liberal Arts
8 Steps to Create and Manage a Strong Virtual Presence – UNC Student Guide
Creating Your Personal Branding as a Student | National Society of High School Scholars
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Author: Joanna Ważny
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