Be Gritty & Scrappy: Make LinkedIn Yours

Hello friends, I hope you’re having a great week.

Today, I thought it would be important to pay homage to the very platform that this article being distributed on. If you’ve spent any time on LinkedIn in the past five years, you likely know that the LinkedIn of 2022 isn’t the LinkedIn that your parents were first introduced to as a job search engine. In fact, many share the sentiment that LinkedIn has become the new Facebook (for better or worse). Even more, it’s become a contemporary lovechild of social media apps with features like Stories, Polls, Live Streams, and Creator Mode that mimics everything from Instagram to Clubhouse.

Whether you love it or hate it, LinkedIn has become a nearly indispensable part of the job search and networking process today. As a young adult freshly out of undergrad, I admit that I spend a lot (too much) time on this platform and have learned some serious lessons myself or from thought leaders on how to make the most of your limited time in this community that can feel like a whirlwind. Let’s face it, job markets are becoming more demanding - not less - especially when it comes to the desirable internships or positions that many others are fighting for.

It comes down to this: I think you’ve likely heard of the saying that in a job, you should either “learn” or “earn”. This edition of Videntia gives you some food for thought on how leveraging LinkedIn can help you either land in or build up a position that does both.

Essentially, to develop a LinkedIn presence that can generate meaningful gains for your professional life, you need to be "gritty and scrappy". You should combine a relentlessness and perseverant "thick-skinned" positive attitude with a keen resourcefulness for people and organizations that align with your passions.

Here are ten mindsets to show you what I mean, each accompanied by actionable steps for how you can implement them in your own way.

Mindset 1: Don’t worry, nobody really has it figured out

The more people you speak to, the more you will realize that no career path is perfectly linear nor absolutely rational. Many seasoned corporate or political leaders have told me that much of their growth has been the product of incredible mentors and remarkable circumstances, rarely tracking the pathway that they drew themselves. However, almost everyone who I’ve spoken to who are satisfied and fulfilled in their current roles have undergone journeys that required serious commitment, discipline, and resilience. In essence, don’t worry about not having defined a single occupation or industry, or getting into the grad school program that you thought you were destined for. Instead, realize your disproportionate strengths and unfair advantages (everyone has them) and play to a combination of what problems you’re naturally attracted to solving + what are you good at doing + who you would like to work with to solve these challenges.

What to do: the next time you come across someone on LinkedIn who is currently doing what you hope to be doing in 5, 10, or 20 years, take a closer look at their career history (if it’s not immediately obvious, reach out for a 15-minute coffee). Instead of attempting to emulate them, track their trajectories on HOW they have grown and the patterns/types of jobs, schools and programs they went to. Sift through these insights and explore what feels right for you and only you.

Mindset 2: Make your LinkedIn headline distinctly yours

I know it may feel tempting and "right" to make your LinkedIn headline just your post-secondary institution + graduating year, or your position & company. However, not leveraging your headline to make a pronounced impression of your specialization and personal brand is a missed opportunity. Think about how many times people see your headline, and sometimes nothing else, when they are scrolling through their feed.

What to do: Follow this three part formula to build a headline that is yours and yours only. [Your Current Role / Position] / [Your Area/ Industry of Expertise/ Area of Interest] / [Your Alma Mater / Passion / Volunteering / Special Thing About You]

Mindset 3: See the “react” and “comment” section of every post as an opportunity

Are you fatigued by the posts where people congratulate themselves on a new position? Do you come across thought leaders who make insightful posts but can't get a hold of them when you try to connect or ask for an informational interview? Instead of attempting to connect with people directly, instead explore the "react" and "comment" section of each post to see who is interacting. You will likely find people who share synergies, specializations, or work experiences that may guide you down new paths that you didn't know existed.

What to do: on the next interesting post that you read on LinkedIn, see who is reacting and commenting, and read 1-3 profiles of these affiliated professionals

Mindset 4: Your personal story and values always matter, especially on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile should never repeat your resume or cover letter. This community is a way for you to share what you're about - and build a gravity for likeminded people to develop interests, projects, and new opportunities. Try to show this in professional, authentic, and creative ways. People flock to stories and narratives, not facts and figures.

What to do: consider customizing your biography, recording a fun name introduction, or posting something this week about your passion or career that you normally won't post.

Mindset 5: (Almost) everyone was once a student or an entry-level associate

The more coffee chats that I have done with top dogs at companies or just fascinating people, the more I feel that people intuitively will know what you are asking for. Before I even open my mouth, a lot of people knew what I would ask for and probably had answers prepared ahead of time. Now that I have become less rusty with coffee chats, I try to build rapport with the person on the other end right away. Whether it is a common university, program, or city of origin, everyone was once a student and everyone remembers what it feels like to enter the workforce knowing nothing. Don't feel too nervous about spelling out what you would like to learn about and use your status to your advantage.

What to do: the next time to meet or connect with someone you wish to learn from or want to network with, think about how you can make them see themselves in you. They are much more likely to invest in you this way.

Mindset 6: Be aware of survivorship bias and what you don't see on LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a discouraging place for those still on the job hunt or fine tuning their career path. When you are coming across people who seem to be doing more than you, or become overwhelmed with the feeling that you're behind, be assured that LinkedIn is deeply curated and rarely a realistic cross-section of what everyone is doing.

What to do: don't become obsessed with comparing yourself to the successes of others, but recognize their achievements, and know that for every win, there are failures, trade-offs, and sacrifices. You are the only one who understands the caliber of your wins and can tell your story, so do it authentically.

Mindset 7: Leveraging the organic reach of polls or newsletters

What to do: there's no description for this one. Polls and newsletters get great organic reach and views. If you're unsure of what to post, make a poll. If you have something you want to share, launch a newsletter. LinkedIn automatically notifies everyone, it's easy.

Mindset 8: Ask yourself: “who am I posting this for?”

Before you hit post, think about who would derive genuine value from your contribution. The funny thing is, the more you think about the interests of others and less you gatekeep strategies for success, the more comes your way. Don't believe in a "you-win-I-lose" world, there will be those in positions of privilege and relative power who recognize your value and contribution if you share altruistically. Naturally, people will develop a gravity around you too.

What to do: before you post, think about who would find your post valuable and how you can maximize this in what you create

Mindset 9: Believing that LinkedIn is only for student or young professionals interested in business, the corporate world, or the social sciences

What to do: don't believe this. You're missing out if you think LinkedIn is only useful for preppy business-school students. It's true that the utility you gain can vary, but I've never heard of anyone who has used LinkedIn tactfully say that it's not been worth their time.

Mindset 10: Authenticity triumphs prestige or credentialism

I have to take a page out of Gary Vee's book: be your own best documentarian. Thinking LinkedIn is solely a world of humble-bragging and prestige-building will bring you nothing in return. Being real to yourself and sincere to those who you are connected with matters more than putting on a front of pretending you know it all. Share what you know and only what you know. Be curious and exploratory for what you don't. Everyone is here for a reason, and sharing your journey realistically makes things more enjoyable.

What to do: share your journey, reflect on your mistakes, post resources, pay it forward.

See you all next week.