Building a Personal Brand: How Women Can Establish Themselves in a New Career

Author : Sangeetha Sivaraj

Starting a new career can be exciting, but let’s be honest—it can also be overwhelming. Particularly for Indian women, where we are taught to be modest and not take credit for the roles we play. Whether you’re stepping into the workforce for the first time, switching careers, or returning after a break, the challenge is real.

We might be battling self-doubt, societal expectations, or even just figuring out where to start. Hence, it’s important to invest in ourselves. A strong personal brand can help us stand out, open doors for opportunities, and build the confidence to own our space. It’s not about becoming famous; it’s about being known for what we do best!

In my view, the first step to a personal brand is self-introspection. Decide on what you want to be known for – based on your strengths and areas of opportunities. Many of us hesitate to put ourselves out there because we think we need to be “perfect” first. We shy away from being judged, or thinking that we do too little. The reality is just the opposite! Be it a career switch, re-entry or starting afresh – own your journey!

The next step is to open ourselves to social media and capitalize on it. For career focus, the best platform is LinkedIn. We can start expressing our thoughts, engaging with others from similar industries, building networks and gradually creating a brand for ourselves. My mentor always said: “You don’t have to be an expert to have a voice. It’s just your perspective and it’s valuable”. So, starting small is great.

Last but not least, build a network. Personal branding and networking go hand in hand. Networking is not just about “adding connections” in our social handle, but truly building valuable relationships. Attending events and webinars is a good start. Join communities and groups, for instance, forums like Women in Tech, SHEROES, etc, reach out to people you like and admire and make conscious efforts to nourish the relationship. Lastly, keep evolving and getting better, so much so that you can be a pro yourself.

Building a personal brand as a woman isn’t just about career growth—it’s about owning your story, believing in your potential, and stepping into your power.

Keep shining!