Can you share your journey into the world of branding?

Hello, I’m Ratna! My journey into branding was purely accidental. As a shy girl with low self-esteem who faced bullying, I struggled with impostor syndrome, especially after a traumatic public speaking experience in school. However, a transformative training session in high school inspired me to pursue a career in education and development.

After three years of studying in Singapore as an international student—struggling with a language barrier and adapting to a new environment, I joined a training and consulting firm as a Marketing Executive only to discover that it required frequent presentations. To overcome my fear of public speaking, I joined Toastmasters and embraced mindfulness practices. After a decade of working in the corporate world, I decided to pursue my passion for education. I started my own organisation, The Mindgem, a mission-driven learning and development organisation, aimed at empowering individuals and organisations to build sustainable well-being and resilience as strategies for personal fulfillment and organisational success.

Two years ago, I began documenting my journey on LinkedIn, which led to significant growth and recognition as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices. Today, I run career workshops for students, helping them increase visibility with hiring managers and potential employers.

Why is personal branding important for fresh graduates and young professionals?

In today’s competitive job market, personal branding is crucial. A polished CV isn’t enough; your personal brand—your story, values and skills—sets you apart. It acts as your secret weapon before you even step into an interview. A strong LinkedIn profile showcases your expertise and character, helping you stand out to employers.

How can fresh graduates start building their brand while still in school?

You don’t need to wait until graduation to start building your brand. Leverage school projects, internships, and extracurricular activities to showcase your skills. Whether it’s organising an event or leading a team project, these experiences build credibility.

Optimise your LinkedIn profile with industry keywords and a compelling summary to enhance your visibility. Start creating content by sharing insights and documenting your journey to establish yourself as an engaged participant in your field. Don’t wait for perfection—start posting! Share your thoughts on your projects, internships, involvement in your CCAs, industry trends, and what you’re learning. Consistency in content creation is key, it positions you as someone engaged in your field.

What are the key elements of a strong personal brand?

Unique Value Proposition: Identify what makes you special. Understanding your strengths and unique skills can help you to stand out.

Professional Online Presence: Ensure your LinkedIn and personal website are appealing and up to date.

Industry Keywords: Utilise industry-specific terms in your LinkedIn profile, posts, and bio. This not only boosts visibility but also ensures recruiters and connections in your field are able to find you.

Consistency: Maintain a cohesive message across all platforms for authenticity.

Engagement: Actively interact with others in your industry. Comment on posts, share insights and engage in discussions that reflect your passions and expertise. It helps you build connections.

Networking: Attend industry events, webinars or coffee meetups to deepen your knowledge about career paths and industry trends.

Authenticity: Showcase your genuine interests, values and personality—this builds trust. Authenticity goes a long way. I found that being genuine helped me connect better with others.

How important is online presence for personal branding? What platforms or tools would you recommend for building an effective online brand?

In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is essential for personal branding. I learned this firsthand when I secured my first five-figure deal through LinkedIn. At a conference, I sat next to a CEO who checked out my profile after scanning my e-business card. Moments later, I received a Direct Message asking, “Teach me how to fuel up!” —a reference to my LinkedIn headline at the time.

We chatted during the break, and I shared insights without any agenda. That conversation led him to ask me to propose something for his team and that’s how I secured my first big deal! It showed me the power of having a strong online presence.

Recommended Platforms and Tools:

LinkedIn: Ideal for professional networking and showcasing your skills.

Twitter/X: Great for sharing thoughts, industry news, and connecting with thought leaders.

Personal Website/Blog: A space to display your portfolio, write articles and share your story.

Instagram: Useful for visually-oriented work.

Canva: For creating eye-catching content.

What are some common mistakes young professionals make when trying to establish their personal brand, and how can they avoid them?

One of the biggest mistakes young professionals make when trying to establish their personal brand is over-complicating the process. In reality, extraordinary outcomes can be achieved with small, consistent efforts. For example, when I started on LinkedIn, I posted once a week, said ‘hello’ to one person, replied to one comment and connected with one new person. This approach led to 12x follower growth, high-quality leads, brand sponsorships, and meaningful connections, making the process both manageable and authentic.

What’s the most important piece of advice for young professionals beginning to shape their personal brand?

Be authentic and never let social media metrics define your self-worth. It’s easy to get caught up in likes, comments, and follower counts as we build our personal brand, but here’s the truth—those numbers don’t define you. Your personal brand is about being authentic, sharing your journey, and showcasing your strengths—not chasing metrics.

Your value comes from your unique strengths, not your engagement numbers. Be patient, focus on staying true to who you are, adding value, and connecting meaningfully. Success will follow, regardless of the numbers.