You know those group projects in school where everyone gets assigned the same role on paper—“project manager”—but there’s always one person who ends up doing all the work, one who turns in late edits at 11:59 PM, and one who thinks memes are a communication strategy?
They all had the same title. But you knew who was who.
Same thing happens on LinkedIn. You might share a title—Project Manager, Recruiter, Financial Analyst—but your perspective is what sets you apart.
And if you want to stand out, get noticed, and build real traction on LinkedIn, you have to know what you want to be known for.
Let’s unpack that.
Your Job Title Is Not Your Brand
Most job seekers I talk to assume that their title or credentials are their calling card.
Nope.
I want to know:
- What do you believe in professionally?
- What kinds of problems get you fired up?
- What change do you want to be part of?
Let’s say you’re a Marketing Manager. Cool. But do you believe brand authenticity is more important than ROI? Are you passionate about DEI in advertising? Are you secretly obsessed with conversion copy?
That’s your brand perspective.
That’s what we need to uncover and amplify.
The “Three Stories” Exercise
Here’s a simple way to get started:
✨ Think of three stories from your career:
- A time you were really proud of your work.
- A time you learned something the hard way.
- A time you felt truly in your element.
Now ask:
- What values or principles were at play in those stories?
- What strengths did you use?
- What did you love or hate about the situation?
💡 Pro Tip: If you want, run your answers through ChatGPT and ask it to help identify themes. Something like:
“What do these three stories say about my professional values and strengths?”
Spoiler: You’re going to find a through-line. And that’s gold.
Put It into a Statement
Now try turning those themes into a short, bold brand statement. Here are a few examples:
- “I help startups go from chaotic to clear with process-focused project management.”
- “I believe inclusive hiring practices are the key to sustainable business success.”
- “I bring emotional intelligence to software engineering—and help teams build better code and better culture.”
This becomes your north star. It’s what will guide your comments, your posts, and your conversations on LinkedIn.
And bonus: It makes updating your LinkedIn profile WAY easier.
Original Idea: The “Anti-Brand” Method
Still stuck?
Try this: Write down everything you don’t want to be known for.
Lazy, outdated, rigid, boring, buzzwordy, disconnected… whatever it is, put it down.
Now flip it.
- If you don’t want to be boring, maybe you’re known for humor or energy.
- If you don’t want to be rigid, maybe your brand is adaptability.
- If you don’t want to be disconnected, maybe your superpower is stakeholder empathy.
Sometimes clarity comes from contrast.
Make It Real
Once you’ve nailed down your “brand perspective,” test it in the wild.
- Drop it into your LinkedIn headline or summary.
- Use it as the lens through which you comment on others’ posts.
- Mention it in informational interviews or cold outreach messages.
- Share a short story on LinkedIn that shows this belief in action (doesn’t need to be polished—just honest).
Let people get to know your mind, not just your job title.
Final Thoughts
LinkedIn success doesn’t start with content creation.
It starts with clarity.
If you can figure out what you want to be known for—and start engaging from that place—you’ll attract the right kind of attention. Conversations will feel more natural. You’ll have more to say. And you’ll stop wondering whether you’re “doing it right.”
You’ll just be showing up as you—on purpose.
Need help finding your professional voice?
That’s what I do.
I’ve helped over 4,000 people get clear on their value, build personal brands that feel authentic, and land work that actually feels good.
💬 Book a session at www.kyladuffy.com. Let’s dig into your story together.
