
According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Hiba Hanif, a social media manager from Karachi, shared her thought-provoking job interview experience on the professional networking platform, LinkedIn.
The post elaborates on how, during an intense one-hour interview with a panel of experts, she was asked by the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), “You're helping other people build their online presence, but what about your own personal brand?”
Although she didn’t get the job, the question resonated deeply, prompting a shift in her career focus.
What key takeaway lessons can we all learn from it?
Hiba realised that while she had focused on helping others with their digital identities, she had neglected her own personal brand.
She described the rejection as a "wake-up call" and stressed the importance of having a strong personal brand for career growth, client acquisition, and industry recognition.
Hiba further emphasised that a personal brand is essential as it serves as a portfolio, lends credibility, and is proof of work.
Users' reaction
Hiba’s LinkedIn post sparked widespread engagement, with many users sharing similar experiences and thoughts. One user described it as a “powerful lesson,” while another mentioned how it made them rethink their approach to career growth.
Several others noted the importance of building their own brand after spending years helping others, and some praised the CEO’s insightful leadership question.
One user commented, "This often happens, but one should not neglect oneself."
Another user questioned whether building brands for others might not allow one ample time to create one's own personal branding.
"Agree you shouldn't neglect yourself but building your own brand vs. working for a company and helping them build their brand are two very different things. If you are doing your job as a social media manager for other companies, why would this imply that you are interested in creating a brand for yourself or have the time to do that?"
What are your opinions on this? Let us know in the comment section.