How Building Your Personal Brand Can Help Supercharge Your Career

In this week’s edition of Forbes Edge, we’ll talk strategies for building your personal brand and dive into Forbes’ newest list with our ranking of America’s Best Employers. But first, let’s check in on what a second Trump presidency could mean for immigrant workers.

I’m sure there’s been no shortage of “what a second Trump presidency will look like” stories flooding your inboxes this week, covering topics such as the upcoming administration’s impact on specific industries or even the role of the federal government itself. 

But at the office, foreign-born employees are hoping President-elect Donald Trump’s newfound relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk will shield them from his anti-immigrant push, senior editor Amy Feldman reports. 

Immigration lawyers have been fielding hundreds of inquiries from existing and potential clients by phone, email and even social media, many coming from tech workers worried about their H1-B visas. Denials for that category, granted to highly-skilled foreign-born workers, rose dramatically during Trump’s first term. It’s a highly sought-out visa as only 65,000 are granted a year, with an additional 20,000 for workers with master’s degrees or higher from a U.S. school.  

And while some immigrant workers may be concerned about potential deportation, visa renewal or expedited processes, most are calling with more mundane questions, according to lawyers, like whether or not their holiday travel plans could be impacted. “We’re telling people maybe travel over the holidays, but get back before January 6,” Elizabeth Goss, an immigration attorney in Boston says.

Employers have also been calling, with many asking about how potential immigration changes could impact their workforces. Some have even begun exploring whether they can renew visas for workers with documents set to expire in the next 12 to 18 months. 

Trump’s election is certainly at the top of the news cycle, but we’ve got plenty of non-election careers news for you below. 

Hope you have a lovely week, and happy reading.

—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Careers Reporter

Work Smarter

Practical insights and advice from Forbes staff and contributors to help you succeed in your job, accelerate your career and lead smarter

• Tips on navigating your job search before a presidential administration change. 
• Looking for a side hustle? Here are five business ideas you can start without breaking the bank. 
• Harvest your losses, and more ways to reduce your taxable income.

Spotlight: The Importance Of Personal Branding

It may not be easy, but creating a personal brand can help you establish yourself as a leader and supercharge your career. Forbes expert contributors break it down:

A personal brand, with a social media following and all, isn’t just a priority for celebrities or influencers. More than 90% of professionals surveyed by the International Strategic Management Association in 2022 said that developing a personal brand not only impacts a manager’s success, but also makes them more competitive in the job market. 

“Building a strong personal brand can open new opportunities for growth—whether that be for your own status in the industry you work or for the growth of your firm,” writes leadership strategy contributor Kate Vitasek.

According to the study, activity on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) are the most important platforms for managers. And while it may take years before you’re able to monetize your personal branding, the financial rewards often come in unexpected forms like inbound consulting or university teaching opportunities. 

So how do you go about building your brand? 

Creator economy contributor Emma Cortes Ellendt writes that offering downloadable worksheets or e-books is a good way to start building your social following (and earn some extra money). Or you can go the public-speaking route, showcasing past events on your personal website or social media profiles, writes leadership strategy contributor Cynthia Pong. 

LinkedIn, says careers contributor Joseph Liu, is still the place for recruiters and hiring managers looking for candidates, so having an up-to-date profile is a must. 

You can read more on how to build a personal brand to supercharge your career from our contributors here.

TOUCH BASE

News from the world of work

• AI chip maker Nvidia topped Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best Companies, which ranks 300 companies based on over 60 categories, including financial performance, customer and employee satisfaction and remote work dynamics. Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals, with double-digit annual revenue growth and one of the highest Glassdoor ratings, came in at No. 4. 
• Despite President-elect Trump’s promise to roll back environmental regulations, the country’s largest environmental group is promising to fight back by pushing for more green jobs, senior editor Amy Feldman reports. The Sierra Club’s hope lies in the factories and jobs already created in the green industry, like solar panels, the majority of which are in red states. 
• Increased tariffs could be a double-edged sword for American jobs, writes senior contributor Jack Kelly. Higher cost of imported materials or components can lead to job losses and decreased bonuses, while other American industries, such as steel, could be protected and see benefits from higher tariffs.
• As Boeing workers returned from the machinist strike, the company’s CEO said that furloughed employees would be paid back for their lost wages, though plans to cut 10% of its global workforce will continue. Meanwhile, Southwest is offering buyouts and extended leaves of absence to airport workers in “overstaffed” locations, which the airline blames on Boeing plane shortages.

Quiz

Which of the following companies made Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers For Veterans, a list of the top 150 employers for those transitioning into civilian roles. 

A. Google

B. Salesforce

C. Ipsos

D. All of the above

Click here to see if you got it right.