There are many incredibly talented designers and developers looking for work right now. The truth is, it is a challenging and competitive market. Roles are getting inundated with applications, and even the strongest candidates are struggling to stand out. Building your personal brand on LinkedIn is not just something extra to do; it's essential. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest opportunities people are currently missing. It is a powerful way to stand out. It helps people get to know who you are, how you think, and what you care about. In a crowded market, that kind of visibility and authenticity can make all the difference.
But I will be honest. I did not always see it that way.
I work in recruitment, and like many people in fast-paced roles, my days are full. Meetings, interviews, follow-ups, emails, last-minute changes — it is non-stop. The idea of finding time to build my personal brand felt overwhelming, and to be honest, I was hesitant. I felt awkward about posting and often questioned whether anyone even wanted to hear what I had to say.
Content creation was always the thing that slipped to the bottom of the list. It felt like a nice-to-have, not something I could justify spending time on during such a busy day.
That shift began when I started treating it less like a job and more like a way to connect.
Every time I attended an event, I noticed the same thing happening. People came up to me and said, “I saw your post about that topic” or “I liked what you said about that project.” At Aquent’s Humans in Design event in Sydney, I was genuinely blown away. Nearly everyone I spoke to mentioned something I had posted. These were people I had never interacted with directly on LinkedIn.
When I asked why they never commented, almost all of them said the same thing:
“Oh, I just like watching in the background.”
That was a turning point for me. I realised people are watching, even if they are not engaging right away.
Since then, I have seen the results. I have had posts reach over 190,000 impressions. Even my more niche posts often land between 20,000 to 22,000 views. That is not because I have a massive following. It is because I show up, share stories, and speak directly to the people I want to connect with.
“This is not about chasing likes. It is about being visible, building trust, and letting people know who you are and what you stand for.”
Because LinkedIn is huge — over 1 billion users. That is 1 billion opportunities for your voice to be heard, your work to be seen, and your name to be remembered.
But most people are not posting. Their profiles are quiet. No content, no activity, just a job title and a headline.
I see this all the time, especially among designers and developers who are actively job-hunting. They might be applying for roles and doing all the right things behind the scenes, but when a hiring manager or recruiter clicks on their LinkedIn profile, there is nothing to engage with. No recent work, no opinions, no personality. Just a name and a list of previous jobs.
That is a huge missed opportunity. Because your LinkedIn profile is not just a CV, it is a chance to show people how you think, what matters to you, and what kind of work lights you up.
When you do not share anything, you leave it up to others to guess who you are. But when you post, even occasionally, you start to shape that story yourself. And that can be the difference between blending in and standing out.
And the good news? You do not need thousands of followers. One post in the right feed can lead to a conversation, a job, or a new connection.
“It is not about being perfect. It is about being present.”
8 tips that helped me prioritise building my personal brand on LinkedIn
1. Work out what kind of content you are comfortable sharing on Linkedin
You do not have to jump straight into video if that feels too much. Start with what feels natural. Share a learning from your week, a moment from a recent project, or an article you found interesting. Add your take on it. Ask a question. Run a poll. There are so many simple ways to show up and gain confidence before you even need to think about filming yourself.
2. Keep a space to brain-dump ideas
As a creative, my ideas often come when I am in the middle of something else. I keep a list in a notes app where I can quickly drop ideas as they come. I then organise them into three simple categories: Idea, Working On, and Posted. This keeps things flowing and makes content creation feel much more manageable.
3. Don't be too rigid
It is great to have a plan, but if inspiration strikes and you have time, run with it. Some of my most engaging posts have been the ones that happened on the fly. You do not have to overthink it. Often, the best posts are those that are both timely and honest.
4. Avoid scheduling tools if you can
From what I have seen, LinkedIn prefers real-time engagement (within 60 minutes of posting). I always post when I know I will be around for the next hour. That way, I can respond to comments, join the conversation, and contribute to the post's momentum. That early activity really matters.
5. Stop worrying about what people might think on Linkedin
I used to hold back, thinking, “Who really cares what I have to say?” However, I realised that my opinion does matter to the right people —the ones who share my interests, values, or curiosity. Your voice matters. The more you share, the more you attract people who genuinely want to hear from you.
6. Don't get discouraged if your posts don't take off
Building a presence takes time. Not every post will land. Some will fall flat, and that is okay. It is about showing up consistently and staying in the game. Over time, people start to notice.
7. Comment on other people's posts on Linkedin
You do not have to create new content every day to build a brand. Thoughtful comments on other people’s posts can be just as effective. It gets your name out there and helps you become part of the conversation.
8. Let a bit of your personality in
Your brand is not just your job title. It is YOU. Share something personal now and then. It could be a reflection, a funny moment, or something that shows a bit more of who you are.
“People connect with people, not just job updates.”
If you have been putting this off, start small. Pick one thing. Share one thought. Add one comment.
Show up once a week. Be consistent. Be yourself.
Because in a job market like this, personal branding is not a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. It is how people remember you, and that could be the difference between being passed over or getting that message that changes everything.
About the author
Hi there! I'm Karen, a Talent Agent at Aquent specializing in UX, UI, Product & Digital, and Graphic Design across freelance, permanent, and contract roles. My recruitment journey comes with a unique twist. Before joining Aquent, I spent a fulfilling decade running my own successful outdoor fitness business. Unfortunately, the challenges of Covid led to its closure. However, I chose to pivot my skills into a new avenue — helping creatives find their perfect job fit. My background as an entrepreneur brings a distinct perspective to recruitment. I deeply understand both the aspirations of individuals and the critical need for the right talent to drive business success. When you work In recruitment, every day brings its own set of puzzles to solve and hurdles to overcome, skills I built up during my time as a business owner. With a foundation in Graphic Design, I'm passionate about every facet of the creative and technical process of bringing designs to life. It's incredibly rewarding to spend my days connecting with creatives and assisting them in realising their career aspirations. On a personal note, I'm balancing being a working mum to two little ones aged 3 and 9 months. I'm deep in the juggling act that a working mum brings, but I'm fortunate to have a strong support network both in my professional and personal life. Looking forward to connecting and exploring opportunities together! nging a design to life. I also have the added bonus skill set of running my own business for many years so as a business owner I understand the importance of hiring the right talent and how that can make or break the success of a business.
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