Personal Brand
How to Become a Magnet for Career Opportunities
Personal Brand
How to Become a Magnet for Career Opportunities
I keep sharing stories of people who have managed to achieve their professional dreams. For my blog, I conducted an exclusive interview with Nina Startseva. Nina helps people find their place in the international professional community, gain confidence, and overcome cultural and career barriers. She shared her experience and thoughts on how to take the first step toward success in the global world.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
- Nina StartsevaAn expert with 12 years of experience in international recruitment; she is a career adviser and author of unique guides for building a successful career abroad
www.growcareerconsult.com
Source: courtesy photo
Nina started her professional journey in the UAE and now lives and works in the Netherlands.
A January Sunday. The city is wrapped in snow, like a fluffy shawl, and the frosty air is clearer than crystal. Nina and I are talking online, each in our own corner of this winter day. Especially for my blog readers, Nina answers the most pressing questions in an interview and shares practical tips and recommendations. The conversation flows smoothly, like a melody born in silence, filled with joy, reflection, and quiet laughter — all the shades that make human connection alive.
A January Sunday. The city is wrapped in snow, like a fluffy shawl, and the frosty air is clearer than crystal. Nina and I are talking online, each in our own corner of this winter day. Especially for my blog readers, Nina answers the most pressing questions in an interview and shares practical tips and recommendations. The conversation flows smoothly, like a melody born in silence, filled with joy, reflection, and quiet laughter — all the shades that make human connection alive.
JULIA:
How can a personal brand help with professional development on the international market?
Nina:
A personal brand is not about some LinkedIn post or a pretty picture. It is your professional image that works for you even when you are not saying or doing anything.
Why do I think that a personal brand is the key to success? It’s simple. Recruiters get tons of CVs, so they might not have time to notice yours; it can be filtered out automatically, or lost in an inbox. But if you have a recognisable personal brand, you go beyond the standard processes.
What is the point of a personal brand?
1. It makes you visible. When everybody knows you’re an expert, employers and recruiters alike line up to get you on their team.
2. Referrals. When people say to me they know someone that I might like professionally, I always listen to them. So, a CV without a personal brand can go unnoticed.
3. Simpler career path. You don’t have to mass email your CV if you have a personal brand. People come to you.
In all my professional life, I think I sent my CV twice or so. I usually get offers through my professional contacts and good reputation. A personal brand is like a magnet for opportunities.
Why do I think that a personal brand is the key to success? It’s simple. Recruiters get tons of CVs, so they might not have time to notice yours; it can be filtered out automatically, or lost in an inbox. But if you have a recognisable personal brand, you go beyond the standard processes.
What is the point of a personal brand?
1. It makes you visible. When everybody knows you’re an expert, employers and recruiters alike line up to get you on their team.
2. Referrals. When people say to me they know someone that I might like professionally, I always listen to them. So, a CV without a personal brand can go unnoticed.
3. Simpler career path. You don’t have to mass email your CV if you have a personal brand. People come to you.
In all my professional life, I think I sent my CV twice or so. I usually get offers through my professional contacts and good reputation. A personal brand is like a magnet for opportunities.
Source: courtesy photo
Julia:
What steps are important to building a strong expert brand in the international market?
Nina:
Building a personal brand is not a one-time thing; it is a long process that involves multiple steps. I would like to share a step-by-step plan that has helped her and her clients become successful:
1. Decide who you want to be.
The first step is to understand exactly what you want to communicate. Imagine I’m a recruiter, a career adviser, and international employment expert. These are my key areas of focus that I showcase through content, advice, and presentations.
2. Tell the audience about yourself.
Share your experiences; tell the stories that make you who you are. People want to see a real person behind an expert. For example, I often talk about how I moved to the UAE, bring up the mistakes I made, and reflect on how those lessons helped me grow.
3. Invest in networking.
Networking is the foundation of everything. Participate in events, meet new people, and please remember that it’s okay to email, message or text first. I always say, the wider your social circle, the more opportunities you have.
4. Keep learning.
Courses, books, masterclasses — you name it, everything makes you more attractive as a specialist. And it boosts your professional knowledge!
5. Become visible.
Publish articles, make videos, comment on social media posts. People need to know you’re an expert. Then they’ll want to come to you.
For example, I helped a client create a personal brand in IT. After six months of publishing and networking, she got a job offer from her dream company.
1. Decide who you want to be.
The first step is to understand exactly what you want to communicate. Imagine I’m a recruiter, a career adviser, and international employment expert. These are my key areas of focus that I showcase through content, advice, and presentations.
2. Tell the audience about yourself.
Share your experiences; tell the stories that make you who you are. People want to see a real person behind an expert. For example, I often talk about how I moved to the UAE, bring up the mistakes I made, and reflect on how those lessons helped me grow.
3. Invest in networking.
Networking is the foundation of everything. Participate in events, meet new people, and please remember that it’s okay to email, message or text first. I always say, the wider your social circle, the more opportunities you have.
4. Keep learning.
Courses, books, masterclasses — you name it, everything makes you more attractive as a specialist. And it boosts your professional knowledge!
5. Become visible.
Publish articles, make videos, comment on social media posts. People need to know you’re an expert. Then they’ll want to come to you.
For example, I helped a client create a personal brand in IT. After six months of publishing and networking, she got a job offer from her dream company.
Source: courtesy photo
Julia:
What are the most in-demand skills on the international market?
Nina:
You need two key skills to succeed internationally:
1. Communication.
Especially intercultural communication. Every country has its own style of communication. For example, the French negotiate differently from the Dutch. You need to know these things and learn to adapt. This is a secret to success.
2. Adaptability.
Adaptability is a person’s ability to adjust to a situation and manage to stick to their principles. This is especially important in an international environment where every new interaction is both a challenge and an opportunity.
When I first moved to the UAE, I forgot it was Ramadan and offered a customer a glass of water. It was a mistake that taught me to always be ready for cultural differences and respect the traditions of other countries.
1. Communication.
Especially intercultural communication. Every country has its own style of communication. For example, the French negotiate differently from the Dutch. You need to know these things and learn to adapt. This is a secret to success.
2. Adaptability.
Adaptability is a person’s ability to adjust to a situation and manage to stick to their principles. This is especially important in an international environment where every new interaction is both a challenge and an opportunity.
When I first moved to the UAE, I forgot it was Ramadan and offered a customer a glass of water. It was a mistake that taught me to always be ready for cultural differences and respect the traditions of other countries.
Source: courtesy photo
julia:
How to adapt experience for international companies?
Nina:
Each country has its own rules for specialists to get a job.
● UAE. People like big and impressive titles and positions here. If your CV says ‘CEO', it makes for an immediate impression.
● Europe. Europeans, on the other hand, value modesty. Big titles will make you look overqualified and might scare off a potential employer. You might want to tweak your positions a bit in your CV to make sure you’re a good fit.
Research the culture of the country you want to apply for a job in and tailor your CV and manner of communication to local standards.
● UAE. People like big and impressive titles and positions here. If your CV says ‘CEO', it makes for an immediate impression.
● Europe. Europeans, on the other hand, value modesty. Big titles will make you look overqualified and might scare off a potential employer. You might want to tweak your positions a bit in your CV to make sure you’re a good fit.
Research the culture of the country you want to apply for a job in and tailor your CV and manner of communication to local standards.
Source: courtesy photo
Julia:
How to find clients and build relationships abroad?
Nina:
Contacts are your greatest resource.
1. Use social media.
LinkedIn is my favourite tool. It’s the best place to find customers, colleagues, mentors, partners, etc. The key is to be active.
2. Take the initiative.
Remember it’s okay to email, message or text first. Most people are open to communication, especially if you do it from your heart.
3. Be part of a professional community.
Attend conferences, join professional groups, offer your help.
4. Become useful.
Share articles, give advice, join discussions. It builds trust and strengthens your personal brand.
Contacts do lead to contracts. Just remember to be open, proactive and helpful.
1. Use social media.
LinkedIn is my favourite tool. It’s the best place to find customers, colleagues, mentors, partners, etc. The key is to be active.
2. Take the initiative.
Remember it’s okay to email, message or text first. Most people are open to communication, especially if you do it from your heart.
3. Be part of a professional community.
Attend conferences, join professional groups, offer your help.
4. Become useful.
Share articles, give advice, join discussions. It builds trust and strengthens your personal brand.
Contacts do lead to contracts. Just remember to be open, proactive and helpful.
I close my laptop, watching the snow outside the window, and think about how many people Nina’s story has inspired. A story about opportunities and the courage to follow your dream.
Like a guiding star, it lights the way in the global professional community.
See you soon!
Please, don't forget to subscribe to my Telegram channel in order not to miss the latest article.
Like a guiding star, it lights the way in the global professional community.
See you soon!
Please, don't forget to subscribe to my Telegram channel in order not to miss the latest article.
I close my laptop, watching the snow outside the window, and think about how many people Nina’s story has inspired. A story about opportunities and the courage to follow your dream.
Like a guiding star, it lights the way in the global professional community.
See you soon!
Please, don't forget to subscribe to my Telegram channel in order not to miss the latest article.
Like a guiding star, it lights the way in the global professional community.
See you soon!
Please, don't forget to subscribe to my Telegram channel in order not to miss the latest article.
Hello, my friends!
The launch of this blog was inspired by my professional love for brands, innovative solutions that harmoniously combine brand, audience, content and creativity altogether.
Together we will find out about trends in marketing communications.
As a professional I have already helped hundreds of local and international brands working with content and implementing their communication strategy in different media.
Best wishes,
Julia
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