How to Successfully Network and Sell Yourself

With more than one billion members, LinkedIn is a melting pot of professionals across all industries and career stages. It can offer a wealth of information, resources, and opportunities to connect with others. LinkedIn can become an integral part of your job search by empowering you to effectively position yourself as a thought leader and strong asset to potential employers as well as fostering job leads.

Are you ready to elevate your career? Here are a few tips for successfully networking on LinkedIn.

Build Connections

It’s all about who you know (and who they know, and so on). Start by growing your network through connecting with friends and colleagues. Then expand your outreach to business associates and other industry professionals. You never know when one of your connections will see an opportunity they think you’re a great fit for and introduce you to someone they know. Or, they might recommend you as a connection to someone else, and suddenly your reach increases and you have more contacts across diverse areas.

Share Valuable Information

There is always more to learn, so make it a point to share useful information. This could be reposting from someone else or generating your own content. Experiment by writing short- and long-form posts giving your own insight around a certain topic you are passionate about or well-versed in to position yourself as a thought leader. You can also share professional articles, white papers, or research you have done.

In addition to posting your own content, interact with what others share as well. Leave reactions and comments to extend your reach and show you’re interested in what they have to say. Ask questions, offer your congratulations, and stay engaged.

Join Groups

Along with connecting with individuals on LinkedIn, you can also join a wide range of groups. It could be something related to your company, industry, profession, education, or a topic of interest. Not only can you keep up with current trends and developments, but you can ask questions, participate in discussions, and offer your own perspective or expertise. It can be a great way to grow your presence and build more connections.

Create a Positive Impression

As you put yourself out there, get more involved, and ask to connect with others, they will certainly be checking out your profile to learn more about you. You want to put your best foot forward by ensuring that your work history, education, certifications, and skills are up to date. Create a captivating About section that quickly conveys your knowledge, experience, and what you bring to the table. Make sure that each job you include highlights your accomplishments, achievements, and abilities. Show the impact you have made and what you can bring to your next role.

While you can use your profile to apply for some jobs on LinkedIn, you should ensure that you have a polished and professional resume on hand for whatever opportunity comes your way. Be confident that you are creating a positive first impression and setting yourself up for greater success. If a contact asks for your resume, you want to have it ready to go.

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