Everyone talks about how building a personal brand can help you to not just stand out alone, but also get jobs as a beginner, but they don’t really show us how. 

Even when they do, they try to sell us their courses in the process.

I know how hard it is to build trust and credibility as a newbie, so people can see you as an authority in your field.

But then it is doable, no matter how tough the bone, a determined dog will always find a way to break it.

Our Gurus and Influencers have magnified building a personal brand so much that it feels like it’s a lot of work, and it’s beginning to scare a lot of people from committing to building their brand.

Well, they didn’t lie because it’s actually a lot of work, but then you need to start from where you are.

Talk about who you are.

What you do.

Who you do it for.

Start without even having to figure it all out.

It’s like hitting the gym for the first time — awkward at first, but the more you show up, the stronger you get.

If you’re a beginner or transitioning to a new field, leveraging volunteering to build your portfolio and personal brand is the easiest way to get potential employers to notice you and here’s how to go about it;

1. Define Your Personal Brand Goals

Before you start volunteering, identify the goals you’d like to achieve through your volunteering journey. 

Figure out the skills you’d like to gain experience in, how you’d love your audience to perceive you, etc.

For example; I’m a copywriter who contributes by writing articles, case studies and scripts for SkilledUp Life and that aligns perfectly with my goals.

2. Choose SkilledUp Life for your Volunteer Opportunities

Before choosing to volunteer, think of roles that; 

• Aligns with the skills you’ve acquired
• Allow you to showcase your expertise  
• Connects you with Professionals in your industry.

With this, you’ll not just grow faster in your niche, but also be a step closer to landing your dream job.

Join SkilledUp to have access to these and many more

3. Treat Volunteering As a Professional Commitment

To build your personal brand effectively, approach volunteering with as much dedication as you would for a paid role:

• Deliver high-quality results while showcasing your skills.
• Meet deadlines and communicate effectively on your online communication channels- be it Slack, Basecamp or any other medium your company chooses.
• Document your achievements and your career milestones in your portfolio or resume, such that clients will be impressed with the impacts you’ve made and consider working with you.

4. Share Your SkilledUp Life Volunteering Story

Everybody loves story time. Leverage it to sell your brand to potential clients that might be on the look out for potential talents like yours.

A lot of volunteers do not leverage this enough.

Some only share their story when they start, while others share their story at the end of their volunteer session, but the ideal way to get your audience hooked is to share your journey from start till finish. 

Did your efforts increase donations or awareness?

Did you streamline processes or introduce new ideas?

Can you quantify the success of your contribution?

Let them know your wins, your mistakes and how you learnt from them.

Choose any Platform of your Choice; Linkedin, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

Start by sharing your SkilledUp life journey today and see how much audience you’ll attract.

5. Build Relationships

Volunteering with SkilledUp Life is an opportunity to network and meet amazing people – from fellow volunteers to professionals and more

• Attend online/offline events in line with your goals
• Engage with other volunteers or other brands you follow on social media.
• Join social online brand building communities.

Building relationships can lead to recommendations, collaborations, or mentorship opportunities you never expected.

6. Use Volunteering as a Portfolio Booster

As a beginner or someone who is transitioning into a new career path, volunteering can help you build a strong work portfolio;

• Showcase projects you’ve completed; it could be articles, designs, campaigns, etc. You can make use of the free versions of Canva.com, Clippings.me, Jounoportfolio.com to design an aesthetically pleasing portfolio that could land you your dream job.
• Ask for Recommendation; at SkilledUp Life, you don’t need to ask for it. It’s our Little gift to you, for a job well done.
• Add your Volunteer work as a job experience to your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

7. Stay Consistent with Your Brand

You’ve probably heard a million times that consistency is key.

Building a personal brand requires showing up consistently and employing different strategies to grow, until you figure out what works for your brand.

With consistency and a memorable brand tone, your brand will be remembered for the right reasons.

Volunteering with SkilledUp Life isn’t just about making a positive impact; it’s a strategic way to grow your brand by networking, delivering exceptional work and building a reputation that opens doors to new opportunities.

Start leveraging SkilledUp Life to build your personal brand.

This article was written by Ezinne Agbai, a SkilledUp Life copywriter.