Crafting your online brand with LinkedIn

These days, an updated and professional Linkedin presence is a necessity in the corporate world. Your LinkedIn profile serves as a digital representation of your professional identity, and it's often where potential hiring managers (and definitely recruiters) will look to find their next employee. In this post, we explore the art of self-marketing on LinkedIn with some tips to help you showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a way that captures the attention of potential employers.

Craft an Engaging Summary

Your LinkedIn summary is probably the first thing a potential employer or recruiter will read when they’re reviewing your background, so you want to make it impactful. Use a conversational tone to connect with readers on a personal level and incorporate relevant keywords to enhance searchability. This section should only be a couple of sentences to keep your reader engaged.

Showcase Your Accomplishments

Utilise the "Experience" section to provide an in-depth overview of your career trajectory. For each role, highlight your responsibilities, accomplishments, and skills developed. This is your online CV for recruiters and employers, and is often how initial screens are conducted in a recruitment process. Use the "Projects" section to highlight specific initiatives you've been involved in. This could include volunteer work, side projects, or freelance gigs. Showcasing diverse experiences adds depth to your profile and demonstrates your versatility.

Leverage Recommendations and Endorsements

It can feel awkward to ask but a recommendation from colleagues, supervisors, and clients to endorse your skills and experience is invaluable and validates your expertise which builds trust with potential employers. Most people are more than happy to provide a recommendation when asked and this can also open up discussions about your career and job hunt.

Be intentional and genuine with connecting with others

It is tempting but do not use the automated message function when connecting with others. This can come across disingenuous and transactional. Don’t just reach out to ask for something, make sure to engage in meaningful conversations, offer insights, and congratulate others on their achievements. Unless you have already established a connection, we advise not connecting with employees or hiring managers on linkedin until you start with the company.

Do your research

When you land an interview with a potential employer, make sure to follow their company pages, engage with their content and learn about what the business is up to, beyond what is on their web page. Engaging with their posts demonstrates interest and can increase your visibility within their organisation.

TLDR

Mastering self-marketing on LinkedIn is a valuable skill that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. By optimising your profile, sharing compelling content, networking strategically, and engaging with potential employers, you'll position yourself as a sought-after professional in your field. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your digital billboard – make it shine brightly and attract the attention of potential employers who are eager to work with a standout talent like you.

Reach out to [email protected] for a confidential discussion on how to curate your online profile to land your next role.