5 days ago
90 Days, 6 Power Moves: How To Rebrand Your Career & Transform Your Professional Identity
You've done the work, now it's time to reposition your value. Over the next 90 days, focus on ... More redefining how you're seen so the right opportunities can find you.
You've done the work. You've earned the degrees, led the teams, surpassed expectations and raised the bar. Yet somehow, you're still being underestimated, not because you're unqualified, but because many systems still don't know how to recognize Black innovation unless it fits a box they've seen before.
The truth is, you don't need to prove your value. You need to reposition it and strategize.
Whether you're planning to pivot into new industries, seek Senior leadership, or step into entrepreneurship, use the next 90 days to redefine how you're seen and what offers you're going towards; through moving with clarity and intention.
Here are six strategic moves to rebrand your career and elevate your professional identity:
Being 'overqualified' is often code for 'we're not sure how to place you.' Instead of simply listing your experience, tell the story of your impact. Audit your résumé and LinkedIn, replacing generic, task-based language with storytelling and measurable results. Share outcomes that are relevant to your target role, or help your audience connect the dots for how your skills translate.
In a digital-first world, people often encounter your LinkedIn or social profiles before they ever meet you in person. These platforms are more than just a record of past jobs and accomplishments; they serve as your brand billboard and a reflection of the type of work you do.
Refresh your headline and bio to reflect where you're headed, not just where you've been. Add a banner image, include links to media or projects that support your professional story, and turn your summary into a narrative that conveys your leadership voice, values, and ambition.
And remember, it's okay to fail upward. What matters is how you frame those moments. Build a framework that highlights what you learned, how you adapted, and the results that followed. Teachable moments can become some of your most powerful achievements.
You don't always need a VP to vouch for you or a well-known organization on your résumé. Sometimes, it's the colleague in a different department or city who opens the next door or someone you meet through networking who's looking for exactly your personality, skill set, and background. It's not always about who you know, but about who sees your value.
Create a networking strategy and be intentional each month by connecting with 3 to 5 professionals across industries and seniority levels. Focus on shared interests and future goals, including impact and measurable results, with other Black professionals in parallel spaces. Use LinkedIn, alumni networks, or communities like Black in Tech, and explore conferences, meetups, or events rooted in your interests. It's important to build networks that grow with you.
Having gratitude is important and necessary when navigating economic shifts and instability. However, staying in roles that underpay or undervalue you isn't humility; it's a misalignment.
First, get clear on your non-negotiables: compensation, flexibility, values alignment, leadership, and communication style. Use tools like Google, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to benchmark your worth. Apply with intention, not desperation. You deserve to work in environments where your opinions are respected and used to shape projects and contribute to company growth. You should be engaged with as the professional and expert you are, driving and taking responsibility for the decisions you make and the value you bring.
No one climbs alone, and no one has ever built anything alone. The most successful professionals create an ecosystem of support and know how to identify their people. You can do this by identifying your areas of need and seeking support for both personal and professional growth. This might mean finding a colleague who can advocate for you behind closed doors, a mentor who has accomplished what you're aiming to achieve, or a networking group that shares resources, holds you accountable, and reminds you of your brilliance on the days you forget.
Start small. A single direct message can plant the seed for real support.
The traditional job market often overlooks innovation, especially when it doesn't fit the status quo. But we're no longer waiting for permission.
Over the next three months, focus on building your own platform. This could take the form of a newsletter, a series of LinkedIn or social posts, articles, a speaking series, or even a digital portfolio. Your ideas, perspective, and leadership deserve a stage. You don't need to go viral. You just need to be visible and create tools that support your growth and strengthen your network.
Remember, you're not reinventing yourself. You're realigning with who you've always been. Rebranding isn't about becoming someone new. It's about communicating your value clearly, confidently, and consistently so the right people and opportunities can find next 90 days aren't just about landing a better title. They're about stepping into your best version and attracting the opportunities you truly want and deserve.
