#1: Why Your Personal Brand Isn't Landing

The story you’re telling might not be working as well as you think.

Most LinkedIn profiles read like slightly upgraded resumes:

It’s not wrong.

It’s just… flat.

If you’re job searching, thinking about a pivot, or trying to get seen for something bigger — that kind of language won’t help you stand out. It tells me what you did, not how you think. And that’s what actually moves the needle.

Because here’s what hiring managers, recruiters, and execs are really scanning for:

• How do you approach problems?

• How do you make decisions?

• What kinds of messes do you know how to clean up?

If they can’t see that in your profile or resume, you’ll keep getting passed over for roles you’re perfectly qualified for—or worse, misunderstood entirely.

Want to fix it?

Start here:

1. Think of one project you’re proud of.

2. Write down the problem you were solving—not just the result.

3. Write out what you actually did—where you made choices, figured things out, or brought people with you.

4. Ask: What does that say about how I work? What’s the throughline?

That’s your edge. And it’s probably not in your profile yet.

👉 Add one sentence that gives people a peek into how you think. Use it in a bullet. Your headline. A LinkedIn post. Doesn’t matter. Just start making your work more legible.

You don’t need a full rebrand—just the story behind the story.

Most people’s profiles blur together.

Yours doesn’t have to. And you don’t have to overhaul everything to make it better. Just start by making your value easier to see.

—Mel

P.S. I’m running a live LinkedIn profile workshop on August 28. We’ll cover what actually makes a profile recruiter-magnetic—and rewrite the sections that matter most. [Register here →]