PIF Workshop 2: Ready to Stand Out - A Deep Dive into Personal Branding

On the morning of 12 July, the second workshop of YWLC’s Pay-It-Forward (PIF) 2024 Mentorship Programme took place at EY Singapore. Titled “Ready to Stand Out,” the session focused on personal branding: what it is, why it matters, and how mentees can begin building it with clarity and authenticity. Through a fireside chat with industry leaders and a hands-on LinkedIn workshop, participants walked away with a deeper understanding of how to present themselves intentionally and confidently in both physical and digital spaces.

Fireside Chat: Personal Branding in Action

The morning began with a fireside chat moderated by Sara Koruthu, PIF organising committee member and former mentor. The panel featured Hazlina Abdul Halim (Senior Vice President at Teneo, APAC and Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC), Juliana Ang (Group Chief People Officer at Fullerton Healthcare), and Kailing See (Head of Strategy and Operations at Google). Together, they broke down what personal branding really means—emphasising that it isn’t just about public image, but about being consistent with your values, behaviours, and how you show up.

Fireside Chat with Panel of Women Leaders

Juliana reminded participants that “every encounter is an impression”—from how you speak to how you carry yourself—and that being reliable and committed is a good place to start. Kailing shared that in her early career, doing good work consistently helped build trust and open doors. Hazlina introduced the “ABCs” of branding: Authenticity, Being, and Change. She encouraged participants to view their brand as something evolving, grounded in self-awareness and purpose. The panelists also shared honest reflections on moments when their brand was misunderstood or misaligned—whether due to directness, new work environments, or shifting roles—and how they took steps to realign while staying true to their core.

Visibility and accountability were also key themes. Kailing recommended creating simple work plans and communicating regularly with peers and supervisors. Juliana stressed the importance of “creating the experience” for those you work with, updating them proactively and following through. Hazlina encouraged participants to initiate conversations with managers and mentors, reminding them: “You are worth anyone’s time.” The panel closed with a Q&A, where speakers addressed questions about evolving one’s brand, managing emotions at work, and reshaping perceptions. Their core message: personal branding is built through showing up consistently, staying self-aware, and being unafraid to ask for space.

LinkedIn Workshop: Crafting a Digital Presence

Following the fireside chat, participants joined a practical LinkedIn workshop led by Cindi Wirawan, a career coach from E2i who has guided over 1,000 students in developing their professional presence. The session opened with a relatable analogy comparing branded versus unbranded perfume, reminding participants that personal branding affects how others receive you. In a “Hello Stranger” activity, mentees described themselves in three words, then received three words based on first impressions - highlighting how external perception plays a critical role in shaping one’s brand.

Cindi then introduced LinkedIn as a tool to actively build and reinforce one’s brand. Using an ABC framework—Attract, Build, Connect—she shared practical strategies for optimising profiles and expanding one’s network. Key tips included choosing a clear, professional photo (angled and smiling), adding a personalised banner, writing a headline with keywords and aspirations, and using the platform’s search-optimised features to be more discoverable. She also shared that staying visible doesn’t require regular posting; engaging thoughtfully with others’ content is just as effective. Participants were encouraged to complete their profiles and seek feedback from mentors, while mentors were invited to refresh theirs and share them as part of the ongoing conversation. Cindi closed the session by reminding everyone that LinkedIn is more than a resume - it's a reflection of who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring.

Closing Reflections

The workshop ended with a relaxed networking session, giving mentees and mentors the chance to put their personal branding skills into practice. Across the workshop, one theme stood out clearly: personal branding isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about taking ownership of your story, showing up with intention, and being open to growth. Whether online or in person, how you present yourself shapes how others see you, and more importantly, how you see yourself. As mentees continue on their PIF journey, this workshop provided both the mindset and the tools to take the next step - ready to stand out, in their own way.