Building a Personal Brand in Tech

I constantly get recruiter reachouts from big tech companies and top AI startups- even when I’m not actively job hunting or listed as “Open to Work.” That’s because over the years, I’ve consciously put in the effort to build a clear and consistent presence on LinkedIn- one that reflects what I do, what I care about, and the kind of work I want to be known for. And the best part? It’s something anyone can do- with the right strategy and a bit of consistency. If you’re tired of applying to dozens of jobs with no reply, here are 5 powerful LinkedIn upgrades that will make recruiters come to you: 1. Quietly activate “Open to Work” Even if you’re not searching, turning this on boosts your visibility in recruiter filters. → Turn it on under your profile → “Open to” → “Finding a new job” → Choose “Recruiters only” visibility → Specify target titles and locations clearly (e.g., “Machine Learning Engineer – Computer Vision, Remote”) Why it works: Recruiters rely on this filter to find passive yet qualified candidates. 2. Treat your headline like SEO + your elevator pitch Your headline is key real estate- use it to clearly communicate role, expertise, and value. Weak example: “Software Developer at XYZ Company” → Generic and not searchable. Strong example: “ML Engineer | Computer Vision for Autonomous Systems | PyTorch, TensorRT Specialist” → Role: ML Engineer → Niche: computer vision in autonomous systems → Tools: PyTorch, TensorRT This structure reflects best practices from experts who recommend combining role, specialization, technical skills, and context to stand out. 3. Upgrade your visuals to build trust → Use a crisp headshot: natural light, simple background, friendly expression → Add a banner that reinforces your brand: you working, speaking, or a tagline with tools/logos Why it works: Clean visuals increase profile views and instantly project credibility. 4. Rewrite your “About” section as a human story Skip the bullet list, tell a narrative in three parts: → Intro: “I’m an ML engineer specializing in computer vision models for autonomous systems.” → Expertise: “I build end‑to‑end pipelines using PyTorch and TensorRT, optimizing real‑time inference for edge deployment.” → Motivation: “I’m passionate about enabling safer autonomy through efficient vision AI, let’s connect if you’re building in that space.” Why it works: Authentic storytelling creates memorability and emotional resonance . 5. Be the advocate for your work Make your profile act like a portfolio, not just a resume. → Under each role, add 2–4 bullet points with measurable outcomes and tools (e.g., “Reduced inference latency by 35% using INT8 quantization in TensorRT”) → In the Featured section, highlight demos, whitepapers, GitHub repos, or tech talks Give yourself five intentional profile upgrades this week. Then sit back and watch recruiters start reaching you, even in today’s competitive market.

consistency is everything 👀. And no, not everyone knows this. Especially when it comes to: • Learning Data Structures & Algorithms • Mastering a programming language • Building projects • Preparing for interviews • Cracking FAANG-level companies People think it’s about brilliance. Or shortcuts. Or some “smart guy” gene. But here’s what they don’t tell you — It’s not brilliance. It’s boring consistency. Let’s break this down. why most learners quit too early • They jump in with unrealistic expectations. — 50 questions in 10 days, 1 project every weekend. • They copy someone else’s strategy without adapting it. — What worked for a CS grad at Stanford might not work for you. • They focus only on finishing tasks, not understanding them. — Leetcode streaks aren’t useful if you can’t explain your solution. • They expect motivation to carry them through. — But motivation is a sprint. Consistency is a marathon. how the best stay consistent — even when no one is watching • They learn how to learn. — They don’t just memorize solutions. They ask: Why does this work? What if the input was different? • They don’t try to do everything. — One language. One roadmap. One platform. They simplify. • They break problems down into patterns. — Not 1000 questions. Just 20 patterns. Arrays, two pointers, recursion, DP, graphs. • They timebox their practice. — 90 minutes/day > 6 hours once a week. • They review mistakes. — Not just “wrong answer” — but why it was wrong. They keep a “mistake log.” • They don’t overconsume. — Watching 20 YouTube tutorials ≠ understanding. They build while they learn. proven techniques that help with long-term consistency • Spaced repetition — Especially for algorithms, syntax, time complexity. Tools like Anki help. • Active recall — Close the tab. Re-explain the problem from memory. If you can’t, you don’t know it. • Project-led learning — Learn React? Build a weather app. Learn REST APIs? Create a blog backend. Build while learning. • Accountability systems — Pair up with someone. Join a Discord server. Share your streak publicly. • System-first, goal-second — Focus on building a system: 2 problems/day, 1 project/month. Let results follow. behind every job offer at Google, Amazon, Microsoft? You’ll find: — Someone who failed 10 mocks but didn’t stop — Someone who revised that DP pattern 5 times until it clicked — Someone who solved 300 problems and remembered 50 deeply — Someone who built one solid project and could explain every line of it so, if you’re stuck, tired, or doubting? You don’t need a new tutorial. You don’t need a new language. You don’t need someone else’s path. You need a system. You need depth. You need the ability to sit with the hard stuff — again, and again. Because consistency is everything. It’s not the flashy answer. It’s just the one that works. #ProblemSolving #ConsistencyWins #DSA #LearningHowToLearn #NoShortcuts #SoftwareEngineering #CrackTopTech

I did not have work/life balance on the path to becoming an Amazon VP. My health suffered and I didn’t spend much time with my family. The modern world of work is a clever, two-part trap. Here’s how it works and how to escape it: Part one is our own goals and ambitions as professionals, parents, and people. We’re often crushed by the weight of our expectations, wanting to be great workers, great parents, and also super fit and healthy. This is an impossible balance for anyone to strike. In my case, I let my health suffer to be more successful at work and get more pay. Many people try to “do it all” and end up feeling like they’re failing at everything. The trap is that companies will absolutely reward you for sacrificing your life to them! Companies aim to make profits for shareholders, often by getting more work from the same people. The long-hours person is often recognized and promoted. The money and title feel good. This game can be addicting. The next raise and promotion are always out there waiting. Meanwhile, we constantly see others “excelling” as businesspeople, parents, athletes, etc. on social media. This curated story makes it seem like they really are “doing it all.” The result is that we feel we have to as well, even though no one really is. When we can’t give 100% to work, 100% to family, and 100% to ourselves, we feel like failures. Then, we push harder to “keep up” with unrealistic expectations and end up burned out. Companies and influencers exploit that—offering raises to work harder or selling products that promise to “optimize” life. The truth is we can never “fit it all in.” We have to make choices, set boundaries, and accept tradeoffs. Sometimes you’ll need to prioritize work. Other times, your family or health. The first step to managing this balance is recognizing there will always be competing forces and tradeoffs. You must make choices. To make them well, it helps to redefine success. When I reached VP at Amazon, I quickly realized I didn’t want to chase an SVP role. I redefined success in a way that led me to leave Amazon and start my own business. That redefinition allowed me to regain my health and time with friends, family, and what I love. Your definition of success should be your own—not what corporate pressures or influencers tell you it should be. Just remember that any version of success requires sacrifices and tradeoffs. For a great perspective on tradeoffs, work-life balance, and “doing it all,” read today’s guest newsletter by Chaitali Narla. Chaitali is a mom and former engineering director at Google who has since held multiple executive roles at top tech companies. In her journey as a parent and executive, she’s developed a theory about how to do it all: Don’t. Instead, intentionally choose what you won’t do. Choose which “balls to drop.” Read her article to learn how: https://lnkd.in/eHPbnUr6

For folks who use GitHub and are in early stage careers and hope to add GitHub as a value add to your profile - here is a note. If interviewing for an SDE role, GitHub projects that don't solve a problem and are just a coding exercise are not very helpful. This may sound perplexing but it needs to be said. : Hiring managers and tech leads (like me) look for problem-solvers. A repository full of practice exercises might show you can write code, but it doesn’t demonstrate that you can build impactful solutions. ► How to Make Your Projects Stand Out 1. Frame Them as Solutions: Instead of presenting your project as "just another app," position it as a business solution or a tool that solves a real-world problem. For example: - Instead of “Expense Tracker App,” say, “A tool for freelancers to manage and categorize expenses for tax season.” - Instead of “Weather App,” frame it as, “A weather app optimized for agricultural planning with location-based crop suggestions.” 2. Highlight the Problem It Solves: Every great project starts with a problem. Make it clear what problem you identified and how your project addresses it. - Example: “This tool was designed for small business owners who struggle with automating their daily sales tracking.” 3. Show Quantifiable Value: Numbers tell a story. Include metrics like: - How much time/money the solution saves. - How many users it could potentially impact. - Any test data or feedback you’ve collected. - Example: “This app reduced invoice processing time by 35% in a real-world test case.” 4. Document It Well: A project is only as good as its README. Include: - A brief description of the problem it solves. - Key features. - Instructions on how to run/test it. - Screenshots, GIFs, or a demo link to bring it to life. Having a GitHub full of clone apps or unfinished side projects sends the wrong signal. It doesn’t show creativity, ownership, or impact, it shows you can follow tutorials, and that’s not what companies hire for. Instead, invest your time into one or two high-impact projects that: - Solve real-world problems. - Show off your ability to understand user needs. - Demonstrate your thought process, design skills, and technical execution. So, take a step back, revisit your GitHub, and think: - Does this project solve a problem? - Can I explain its value to someone outside of tech? - Would I hire someone based on this work? If the answer isn’t “yes,” it’s time to rethink how you approach your projects. Remember: One impactful project > 100 clones. Focus on impact, not just output.

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞..." That’s what they told me, too. When I transitioned from taxation to Investment Banking, mergers & acquisitions, I heard it all— ❌ “You don’t have the right background.” ❌ “It’s too late to switch now.” ❌ “Start from scratch or stay where you are.” But I refused to let a job title define my future. Instead, I focused on what I did have: Analytical skills, Financial acumen, and the ability to solve complex problems. I learned, I networked, and I proved my worth. Your “irrelevant” experience is actually your secret weapon. Most people think: ❌ “I need to hide my background in marketing now that I’m going into tech.” Smart people think: ✅ “My marketing background gives me a unique edge in tech because I understand user psychology in ways pure technical people never will.” Remember, career transitions aren’t about starting over. They’re about repositioning yourself. If you're looking to make a switch, here’s how to do it without wasting years: 1️⃣ Leverage Transferable Skills – Your past experience holds value. Learn to reframe it. 2️⃣ Start creating before you apply – Proof of work speaks louder than any resume. 3️⃣ Network with Intent – The right conversations open doors faster than cold applications. 4️⃣ Position your experience strategically – A compelling story beats a perfect background. 5️⃣ Upskill smartly – Learn what actually matters for your new role. I know how tough it can be because I’ve been there. But I also know that making a career pivot is possible—without starting from scratch. If you’re looking to transition careers and don’t know where to start, let’s talk. I’d love to help. Drop a comment or DM me. Your past doesn’t define your future. You do. LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Guide to Creating #mindset #career #transition #knowledge #skills #upskill

When I started building my brand ecosystem publicly, everything shifted. The traditional advice says, "build it and they will come." But after studying founder brands, I've learned that most founders are stuck choosing between getting attention and maintaining integrity. Last year, I watched a brilliant entrepreneur struggle with this exact paradox. When I shared my Brand Trust Equation with her, something beautiful happened. Here's what I learned about building in public through systematic brand development: 1. Identity System Transparency Share your core messaging, positioning, and values openly. Building your identity in public creates accountability for authentic choices. Your audience connects with the journey, not just the destination. 2. Content System Broadcasting Document your strategic output across all platforms transparently. Sharing your content framework helps others while establishing your authority. Your systematic approach demonstrates professionalism and intentionality. 3. Experience System Documentation Show how people interact with your brand at every touchpoint. Building your customer journey in public creates better experiences for everyone. Your process transparency helps prospects know exactly what to expect. 4. Conversion System Sharing Reveal how attention becomes revenue in your business model. Building your funnel in public demonstrates the value of systematic thinking. Your transparent approach shows prospects the clear path forward. 5. Lighthouse Content Strategy Create cornerstone pieces that attract your ideal audience while repelling everyone else. Building your manifesto, methodology, case studies, and vision in public establishes authority. Your transparent philosophy becomes a filter for quality connections. This approach builds long-term brand equity instead of short-term attention. 6. Platform Synergy Framework Show how different platforms serve different purposes in your ecosystem. Building your multi-platform strategy in public creates strategic alignment. Other founders learn how to maximize impact across channels. This isn't just about building brands, it's about creating beautiful, systemized, and authentic businesses that serve both founders and their communities. When you build your brand ecosystem in public, you're not just attracting attention. You're building trust through the Brand Trust Equation: (Consistency × Authenticity × Value) ÷ Self-Promotion. The solution isn't choosing between integrity and attention, it's building systems that deliver both simultaneously through transparent, value-first brand development. The future belongs to those brave enough to build their brand systems in public. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Curious how this could look inside your business? DM me ‘System’ and I’ll walk you through how we help clients make it happen. This is for high-commitment founders only.

Bad news: The next layoff could be yours. Good news: You can still be on the safer side. Sounds harsh? That’s because it is. We’re in a job market where even high performers aren’t safe. In just one year, 4 Indian IT giants laid off 64,000+ employees: – Infosys: 25,994 – Wipro: 24,516 – TCS: 13,249 – And Tech Mahindra continues to trim staff, with 1,757 employees let go in just one quarter. These weren’t underperformers. These were loyal, experienced employees who believed that “it won’t happen to me.” And it’s not just Indian IT. Global tech is bleeding too: Amazon, Google, Meta, and top-funded startups have made cuts. Stability is no longer guaranteed. So if you think your job is safe because you’ve been: ✔ Consistent ✔ Loyal ✔ Hardworking …that’s just not enough anymore. The reality is… > Your company has a backup plan. > Your company has multiple revenue streams. > Your company will survive. Will you? If not, here’s how to stay on the safer side: ✅ Invest in your personal brand What are you known for? What comes to mind when someone hears your name? Start sharing your learnings, results, and expertise. You don’t need to be famous. You need to be trusted. ✅ Learn skills of tomorrow. AI. Data. Product thinking. Communication. These are no longer “nice to have”—they’re survival tools. ✅ Grow your network. Because the best opportunities rarely come from job portals—they come from people. ✅ Set up an emergency fund. 6–12 months of savings = peace of mind + the freedom to choose your next move. ✅ Start a side income stream Consulting, freelancing, selling digital products or templates—don’t depend on one paycheck. Build an income buffer while you still have your 9-5. ✅ Follow industry trends Stay updated with what’s changing in your field. Subscribe to newsletters, attend webinars, and follow thought leaders. You can’t play the game well if you don’t know the new rules. The best time to prepare was yesterday. The second-best time? Today. Start preparing now, before you're forced to. #layoff #career #growth #jobsearch #sidehustle

I just got off a call with a founder who's been "thinking about LinkedIn" for 8 months. His competitor - with an inferior product - just snatched from him yet another opportunity before closure. My prospect learned that competitor's visibility and credibility played a role in closing key deals just like this one. Another prospect on slack channel shared something about the competitor like "His insights on subject matter convinced them that he really gets their challenges and been a specialist in it for long." This founder I met has better technology, more funding, and a stronger team. But his competitor has something more valuable - "visible authority" While my prospect was perfecting his product in stealth mode, his competitor was "building trust" at scale. Here's what I told him... "Your product solves the problem. But your competitor's LinkedIn presence proves he understands it." In B2B tech, buyers don't just evaluate solutions - they evaluate the people behind them. They want to work with experts, not vendors. I've watched this play out across 90+ companies. The founders who build visible authority early don't just grow faster - they grow more profitably. They spend less on ads, hire fewer reps, and close deals faster because prospects arrive pre-sold. The hardest part isn't creating content. It's accepting that while you're building the perfect product, someone else is building the perfect reputation. Your expertise deserve an audience. Your insights deserve visibility. Your company deserves the advantage that comes with being seen as the industry authority. The question isn't whether LinkedIn authority matters. It's whether you'll build it before your NEXT competitor does. #SocialSelling #GTM #B2BSales #RevenueEngine #AuthorityBuilding #ContentMarketing #LinkedInMarketing #LinkedIn #SaaS #B2B

If you’re still using Poppins in your designs… it’s time to rethink. Poppins isn’t a bad font. But it’s everywhere. And when your goal is to stand out, the last thing you want is to blend in. Here are 5 underrated alternatives I’ve been recommending to founders and designers who want a fresh, premium edge: 1️⃣ Jost: Modern yet elegant. 2️⃣ Plus Jakarta Sans: Clean & minimal. 3️⃣ Geist: Sleek & contemporary. 4️⃣ Gordita: Stylish & balanced. 5️⃣ Averta: Versatile & bold. The right font does more than look good on screen. It builds personality. It creates recall. It makes your brand yours. 💡 Pro tip: Don’t just swap fonts blindly. Pair them strategically with your brand’s tone, colors, and layouts. That’s how you unlock maximum impact. If you’ve been defaulting to Poppins, maybe it’s time to break the pattern. P.S. I love fonts and typography (I’ve spent years mastering them), so I wanted to share this with you all. #CreativeProcess #BrandStyling #ContentCreation #Poppins #GraphicDesign #GraphicGuruzz #DesignTips #BrandStrategy

The world of thought leadership, brand positioning, and SEO (now GEO) is rapidly changing. What worked even a few short years ago will no longer work today. Today, more than ever, you need to crystalize your positioning, stand out from the noise, and be the brand that shows up in AI generated search. These are my top five tips if you want to be the one that people remember and AI recommends: 1. Authority beats activity. Posting more won’t deliver results without a clear, differentiated position. 2. AI search rewards originality, not volume. If you don’t stand out, you won’t surface. 3. You must be the signal, not the noise. The goal is memorability. 4. Generic content keeps you hidden. Every interchangeable post pushes you deeper into the commodity trap. If you’re running a business, that has revenue implications. 5. Your personal brand is a business asset, not a side project. Proof of identity is your ultimate moat. As AI masters the "what," humans must double down on the "who." Personal stories, proprietary data, and "I was there" experiences are things LLMs can’t fabricate. This is what builds the trust that AI then echoes. What tip would you add to my top five?