How to Build Your Brand as a College Student (and Why It’s Easier Than You Think)
You already have a brand—you just need to own it.
Spoiler: you have a personal brand, even if you don’t think you do. Gone are the days of physical resumes. Instead, the internet has quickly filled that vacuum, which is why you need to take control of the narrative. If you’re looking to catch the eye of potential future employers, establishing your brand now is going to pay off in the long run.
And we don’t mean becoming an influencer to “establish your brand.” We mean showing the world what you bring to the table. The easiest way to do that? Create a website.
Thanks to companies like Wix, making a personal website can be done in an afternoon. Whether you want a simple resume site or something more elaborate, Wix has a template for that. Plus, you can really make the most of your experience thanks to Wix’s 50% student discount on their premium plans.
Ready to start branding? Then let’s dive in.
Step 1: Figure Out What You Want to Be Known For
You don’t need to have your whole life figured out, and even if employers make it seem like you do, they’re 100% lying. Instead of trying to figure out “where you want to be in five years,” focus on what you’re into.
If you could sum up what you’re about in one sentence, what would it be? Maybe you’re trying to enter into the business world, or a tech expert, or a creative who loves to write (hi, it’s me). Regardless, let your potential employers know what your deal is. And avoid the fluff—employers can smell that on you a mile away.
Step 2: Create a Website That Shows Off Your Best Self
Listen, we all love social media, but it’s admittedly a bit chaotic. Your website is meant to be your own personal highlight reel. You can curate it to show off your best self, which is exactly what you want to do.
Not sure where to start? Here’s a basic framework for your website:
- A homepage that grabs your attention that says who you are and what you do
- A portfolio if you’re a designer, writer, coder, artist, etc. to show off your work
- A blog section (or just “thoughts”) to show off where your expertise is
- Contact information so employers have a way to get ahold of you
And if you extra don’t know what you’re doing, Wix has got you covered. They have a step-by-step website builder to take you through the entire process from start to finish, making it easier than ever to establish your brand.
Oh, and if you’ve already got some website dev skills under your belt? Wix Studio allows you to fully customize your website to whatever you want it to be.
Step 3: Make Sure People Find You
So now you have a bright, shiny website ready for the world to see, but you need people to actually, you know, see it. If employers are trying to find you, you want to make it as easy for them as possible. That’s where SEO, or search engine optimization, comes in. And if you don’t know anything about SEO, we’re here to give you a crash course:
- Use keywords like your name and the industry you’re trying to work in to help draw traffic in
- Add a clean, direct bio or headline
- Make sure your website loads fast
While there’s loads more to SEO, this will get you on the right track.
Be sure to also link your website on your resume and socials. The more you post, the more searchable you are, which will also help you to establish your brand.
Step 4: Put Yourself Out There
Yes, we know networking feels super cringe, but there is a benefit to it. You’re connecting with professionals who work in your world. Don’t think about it as selling yourself, but frame it as you’re just getting a vibe for the industry you want to work in.
If going to events IRL is giving you anxiety, then try engaging with communities online. Put your website on your LinkedIn and start making connections with potential future employers, or even other professionals who might be able to help you out.
Your website is essentially a conversation starter—you want to give people a reason to check you out.
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This is a sponsored post in partnership with Wix.
