In the past, software developers didn't pay much attention to employability or personal branding: there was lower demand and less competition. Interviews focused almost entirely on technical skills, without much weight on professional image or online presence.
Today, the demand for developers is much higher, and with it, employability and personal branding have become key. To land the best positions, you need to stand out: show your personal brand, your professional image, your online presence, and your communication skills. Hiring practices have changed, and now these factors get evaluated alongside technical skills, so it's worth actively working on your personal brand.
What Is Employability?
The first formal definition of employability I ever read was Dacre, Pool & Sewell's, in a 2007 article titled "The key to employability: developing a practical model of graduate employability."
They said:
"Employability is having a set of skills, knowledge, understanding, and personal attributes that make an individual more likely to choose and secure occupations in which they can be satisfied and successful."
If you ask me, employability means having certain qualities that make it more likely you'll find a job you like and do it well. These things include:
- Skills: things you're good at.
- Knowledge: what you know about different subjects.
- Understanding: you get how things work.
- Personal attributes: qualities or traits that make you a good worker.
So, in simple terms, if you have these things, it'll be easier to find a job that brings you joy and success. Maybe I'm stretching it a bit, but employability is basically a measure of how likely someone is to land and keep a job they want.
But wait! If there's a measure, you might be wondering if there's a formula or equation to calculate it, right? After all, we engineers love putting numbers on everything. And in fact, we do have a kind of formula for it.
Employability Formula
Employability = What you have + How you sell it + How you develop it + Your circumstances
To understand this concept, let's break it down and go through the four components:
- What you have: this refers to the knowledge, skills, qualifications, and experience a person has. It includes both technical/job-specific skills and transferable skills that apply across different roles or industries.
- How you sell it: selling refers to how well you can communicate and present your skills and qualifications to potential employers. This includes putting together a compelling resume, cover letter, and online profile, as well as showing strong interview skills and networking ability.
- How you develop it: employability isn't a static concept, it takes ongoing development. This component emphasizes the importance of learning, professional growth, and keeping up with industry trends. It also means seeking feedback, working on weak spots, and picking up new skills to stay competitive in the job market.
- Your circumstances: this component recognizes that external factors can influence employability. Things like economic conditions, geographic location, personal circumstances (like family responsibilities), or discrimination can affect someone's ability to land job opportunities.
How Can I Improve My Employability?
As we said, we're engineers and we try to put a number on everything, so if we treat the "formula" above like a math expression, to improve the result, you need to increase one or more of the components.
So I'll explain how to improve the first and last components, and we'll use the idea of Personal Branding to improve the other two, which I'll get into later in the article.
To improve the "What you have" component of employability, you can focus on picking up new skills and certifications relevant to your field. This can happen through formal education, like getting a degree or certification, or through self-taught learning and online courses. Gaining hands-on experience through internships, volunteering, or freelance work can also strengthen your skill set and make you more attractive to employers. Continuous learning and keeping up with industry trends are also key to improving the "What you have" side of employability.
And what about your Circumstances? While some external factors that affect employability might be out of your control, there are steps you can take to soften their impact. Looking for job opportunities in different locations or in industries with higher demand can increase your chances of landing a job. Building a solid support network of peers and mentors who can offer guidance during your job search also helps. And staying adaptable and open to new opportunities can help you deal with tough circumstances and boost your employability.
Let's Talk About Personal Branding
Even though personal branding is a much bigger topic than what I'll cover here (I'll write more about it in detail soon), this idea goes a long way toward improving how you sell and develop your employability.
But first: what on earth is "Personal Branding"? Let me explain it in plain terms!
I could quote a definition from personalbrand.com that says: "A personal brand is a widely recognized and largely uniform perception or impression of an individual based on their experience, competencies, actions, and/or achievements within a community, industry, or the market at large." But I won't. Oops, I just did. Sorry.
So let me put it this way instead: "Personal Branding is the public perception of a person, or how people see you from the outside." Better, right?
Now do you see the connection with the "What you have" and "How you develop it" components of the Employability formula?
Boosting Your Personal Brand to Improve Your Employability
Here's a list of tips you can use to define or improve your personal brand and, as a result, improve your employability:
Hey You! Google Yourself
Checking your online presence is key these days. Employers sometimes look up candidates to learn more about them. By googling your own name, you can see what information is out there and make sure it lines up with the professional image you want to put forward. It also lets you address any negative or irrelevant content that might be holding back your personal brand.
Decide How You Want to Be Perceived
Defining how you want to be perceived is essential to shaping your personal brand. Think about the qualities, skills, and values that make you unique and valuable in the job market. This will guide your actions and communications, helping you align them with the image you want. It'll also help you stand out from the rest and set yourself apart from other candidates.
Create a Personal Website With Your Name and Standardize Your Usernames
Creating a simple website with your name as the domain can be an effective way to showcase your personal brand. It gives potential employers one central place to find more information about you, like your resume, portfolio, and achievements. Also, using a consistent username across social media and platforms makes it easier for people to find and recognize you online.
Update Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals looking for job opportunities. Make sure your profile is up to date, accurate, and free of spelling or grammar mistakes. Give a full overview of your experience, skills, and achievements. Having a complete LinkedIn profile without gaps boosts your credibility and shows potential employers that you pay attention to detail.
Will You Add Value as a Creator, Curator, or Connector?
Decide whether you'll add value to your industry as a creator (producing original content), a curator (sharing valuable resources), or a connector (facilitating connections between people). Each role has its own benefits, so pick the one that fits your strengths and interests and meets the needs of the audience or industry you're targeting.
Add Value
Consistently delivering insightful, useful content will strengthen your reputation and catch the attention of potential employers.
Pick One Channel to Shine
While it's tempting to be everywhere on social media, it's more effective to pick one platform where you can really shine and focus your efforts there. Whether it's LinkedIn, X, Instagram, or another platform relevant to your industry or interests, putting your time and energy into mastering one channel will help you build a solid presence and connect better with your target audience.
Learn to Write Impactful Content
Writing impactful content is a valuable skill that can significantly boost your personal brand. Learn to craft messages that connect with your audience and clearly convey your expertise or your unique point of view. This includes writing concise but catchy headlines, using persuasive language, and making sure your content is well structured and error-free.
Be Consistent and Pace Yourself
Consistency is key to building a strong personal brand. Sharing content regularly, engaging meaningfully with others, and keeping an active presence show dedication and professionalism. By consistently adding value through your actions and communications, you position yourself as a trustworthy voice in your field.
Get Involved in Communities
Conclusion
As Shama Hyder once said: "The question is no longer whether you have a personal brand, but whether you choose to guide and cultivate it or let it be defined for you." The next step is to shape it and refine it so the end result conveys exactly what we want, which will help improve our employability.
Employability and personal branding weren't a big deal for developers a few years ago, but today they're part of the game: there's more competition and more reliance on technology, and personal branding helps you stand out, show your expertise, and attract the employers you actually want. Taking concrete steps to improve your employability and build a strong personal brand puts you in a better spot in a competitive job market. So let's get started: time to take control of our personal brand and shape our employability.
