Building your personal brand in finance and insurance: how to showcase your skills and experience to stand out to potential employers

The finance and insurance world is highly competitive, whether you’re job hunting or hiring. For candidates, this makes it crucial to build a strong personal brand. You may have the right skills and experience for the role, but so has everyone else.

Whether you're just starting out in your career or looking to take the next step, creating a clear and compelling personal brand can help you stand out to potential employers. And hopefully, land that dream finance role.

So, what exactly is a personal brand?

In a nutshell, your personal brand is the unique combination of skills, experience, and personality traits that make you who you are as a professional.

It’s a way of showcasing your strengths, and communicating your values and goals. And crucially, it creates a consistent and compelling image that resonates with potential employers.

Tips for building a strong personal brand in finance in insurance

For most people, the idea of a personal brand is an entirely new concept. This makes it difficult to know where to start. This is why we’ve put together some tips to start you thinking along the right lines:

Identify your strengths and unique selling points

Take some time to reflect on your skills, experience and what you’ve achieved in previous roles. What makes you better than the candidate next to you? Do you have a particular expertise or area of specialisation? Perhaps you’ve worked on high-profile projects, or with notable clients. You might have a track record of delivering difficult projects or solving complex problems.

Create a professional online presence

Start by creating a LinkedIn profile which demonstrates your unique skill set and industry experience. Highlight your achievements, making sure to use examples and provide specific context. While you’re doing this, make sure to use keywords that potential employers are likely to search for. You can also create a personal website or blog to showcase your work, or to share your insights and expertise with others in your field.

Network and build relationships

It’s no use building a personal brand if no one knows about it, so get yourself out there. Attend industry events and conferences, join professional associations and online groups, and connect with other professionals in your field. Building relationships with others in your industry can help you stay up-to-date on trends and opportunities. And you never know, it could lead to new job opportunities or referrals.

Crucially, you should aim to be authentic. Your personal brand should reflect who you are, both personally and professionally. Don’t be afraid to showcase the things you’re proud of, but avoid exaggeration if you can’t back it up. Be honest about your values and career goals, and stay true to your authentic self.

It’s also important to ensure that your brand is consistent, across everything from your online profiles to your in-person conversations. Consistency is key to building trust and credibility with potential employers.

Building a strong personal brand takes time and effort, but it's an investment that can seriously pay off. 

Find your next exciting opportunity with Exchange Street – search our latest UK finance jobs here.