LinkedIn Top Voices 2019: Job Search & Careers

Today we’re unveiling our 5th annual Top Voices list, highlighting professionals in a variety of industries and regions who are building communities and starting thoughtful conversations on LinkedIn through their articles, posts, videos and comments. These are the people you should be following to get inspired and stay informed. 

To find standout voices, we used a combination of quantitative and qualitative signals, starting with a custom algorithm from our LinkedIn Data Science team and then curated by our LinkedIn Editors. You can learn more about how we compiled the list at the bottom of this article and can check out Top Voices around the world and across industries — from finance to education — here.

I dug into the data to find standout voices in job search & careers. These LinkedIn members are working on the front lines with job seekers and people looking to level-up their careers. They’re sharing top-notch tips on everything from resume formatting to using silence during salary negotiations.

Here are this year’s 10 #LinkedInTopVoices in job search & careers.

What she talks about: Watkins wants to help job seekers find their right fit in the workforce by aligning their unique skills with target companies or industries. She offers tips throughout the week, including how to handle the first steps of your career and how to cut your resume down to size.

Best career advice she ever received: “It's easier to stay ready than to get ready,” Watkins tells LinkedIn. “Always prepare for your next opportunity as if you've already thrown your name in the hat for consideration.”

Follow Ashley

What he talks about: Quinn focuses on helping service members transition into the civilian workforce. He aims to be “genuine, very straightforward” and helpful with his posts, such as telling service members how employers view military experience. Quinn also offers advice (such as this overview of online resume etiquette) for anyone looking to land their next gig

What news story affected him most in 2019: The National Defense Authorization Act is changing how service members transition from the military, Quinn tells LinkedIn. “By forcing service members to start planning much earlier and removing the one-size-fits-all career transition model, this change will significantly decrease unemployment for veterans immediately after separation from service.”

Follow Michael

What she talks about: Morgan shares posts throughout the week on a range of topics that she hopes will help people get hired, such as common job interview questions and where to look to find job opportunities. Morgan also summarizes the best advice she finds each week for job seekers.

One of her professional hacks: “I spend 30 minutes each morning reviewing my LinkedIn feed (and Twitter),” Morgan says. “I comment and share content that helps me grow professionally and meet really interesting people. It's only 30 minutes and I get it done before I've finished my coffee.”

Follow Hannah

What she talks about: Johnston focuses on sharing savvy and strategic job search advice that she hopes will help job seekers get the gig they want. She talks with other job search and career experts for her newsletter and also creates how-to videos, such as one explaining how to create rich and computer-friendly resumes.

Best career advice she ever received: Johnston tells LinkedIn that she follows Adrienne Tom's "slow burn" mantra. “When starting a business, it's important to keep perspective that life is a journey and not a sprint.”

Follow Sarah

What she talks about: As a psychologist, Orbé-Austin posts about a broad range of job search topics, including mental health and dealing with imposter syndrome at work. She aims to provide people with “concrete, practical, immediately useful tips and tools.”

One of her professional hacks: Orbé-Austin tells LinkedIn that she’s a big fan of the Pomodoro method, which suggests tackling tasks in chunks. “It changed my life in terms of productivity and I share it with all my clients who have time management issues.”

Follow Lisa

What he talks about: Marty aims to help people unleash their true potential. He does that by posting about “non-traditional career advice, living with a sense of perspective and purpose, and questioning societal norms.” Marty’s posts focus on everything from the dos and don’ts of job referrals to finding happiness at work.

What’s not on his LinkedIn profile: Marty — along with his six-year-old son — is learning to skateboard a half-pipe. “What I love most about skateboarding is that the only way to make progress is to believe in yourself, commit, and recognize that falling (hard) is part of the process.”

Follow John

What he talks about: Elliott discusses “work, life and lattes” in hopes of debunking the myths of professionalism with posts about everything from interviewing to thinking outside the box about getting in front of employers. He also works to address stigma by being out and proud, discussing his sexual orientation and mental health.

What he’s watching for in 2020: Elliott said he looks forward to seeing how the idea of “professionalism” morphs in 2020. “People are realizing that they can bring more and more of their whole selves to work — and to life,” he says.

Follow Kyle

What he talks about: Clark uses his experience as a professional recruiter to offer detailed, practical advice and resources for job seekers. By talking about when to apply for a job and being open to opportunities, he hopes to show job seekers they have power and control in their search. “There are things they can do to rapidly advance their career and land better jobs.”

What inspired him this year: Clark tells LinkedIn that he follows Tim Ferriss — especially his podcast. “One of my favorite episodes is his conversation with U.S. Navy Seal Jocko Willink discussing leadership, discipline and more.”

Follow Biron

What she talks about: Pong makes sure to share career advice in the form of posts, resources, articles for women of color. She also shares a weekly video that tackles topics such as negotiation and time management. Pong hopes to show that “women of color deserve more money, power, and respect in the working world.”

What news story affected her most in 2019: Pong tells LinkedIn that only one CEO among Fortune 500 companies was a woman of color. “Mary Winston became interim CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond, thus bumping the number to two, but she has since been replaced by Mark Tritton.”

Follow Cynthia

What he talks about: McIntosh hopes to help job seekers find rewarding careers by sharing advice on how to conduct their search. He educates job seekers about everything from finding allies in their job search to decluttering their resumes. “I'm particularly concerned about the long-term unemployed who have a much more difficult time landing a job.”

Best career advice he ever received: “No job is completely secure,” McIntosh tells LinkedIn. “Don't stop learning. Don't become complacent. Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date with your most recent accomplishments."

Follow Bob

You’ve read about the Top Voices in education this year. Now, check out the #LinkedInTopVoices in technology, small business, sales and more.

How we compiled the Top Voices list

First, our editors partnered with the LinkedIn Data Science team to measure the actions a member is able to generate when they engage on the platform. Specifically, we looked at the volume of responses a person’s contributions sparked and the secondary spread of those responses. These signals are proxies for conversation and community development. That said, engagement metrics aren’t enough. Our next filter was qualitative. Editors refined the list by looking at the member’s body of work: Are the contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Do they seek to give and get help vs being self-promotional? Finally, does this list reflect the world we work in today? 

All sharing activity measured took place over a 12-month period, from September 2018 to September 2019. As with all LinkedIn Lists, we exclude LinkedIn and Microsoft employees from consideration.