Top 10 Mistakes Senior Executives Make on LinkedIn While Looking for a Job

One of the deadly sins of senior executives is underusing #Linkedin as a strategic job searching tool. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with over 900 million members and well over 30 million companies. It allows senior executive career changers to showcase their skills, achievements, and personal brand to potential employers, recruiters, and peers.

However, many senior executives are not using LinkedIn to its full potential, and are making some common mistakes that can hurt their chances of landing their dream job. In this blog post, we will reveal the top 10 mistakes senior executives make on #LinkedIn while looking for a job, and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Having an incomplete or outdated profile

Your LinkedIn profile is your online #CV, and it should reflect your current professional status, goals, and aspirations. A complete and updated profile will help you rank higher in LinkedIn’s search algorithm, attract more views and connections, and demonstrate your credibility and relevance to your target audience.

To avoid this mistake, make sure you fill out all the sections of your profile, including your headline, summary, experience, education, skills, endorsements, recommendations, and accomplishments. Use keywords that are relevant to your industry and desired role, and highlight your unique value proposition and achievements. Furthermore, update your profile regularly to reflect any changes in your career, such as promotions, awards, publications, or projects.

Mistake #2: Having a poor or inappropriate photo

Your photo is the first thing that people see when they visit your profile, and it can make or break their first impression of you. A poor or inappropriate photo can convey a lack of professionalism, confidence, or personality, and can deter potential employers or recruiters from contacting you.

To avoid this mistake, use a high-quality, recent, and professional-looking photo that shows your face clearly and matches your industry and role. Avoid selfies, group photos, casual or distracting backgrounds, or anything that can be considered offensive or controversial. A good photo should communicate that you are approachable, trustworthy, and competent.

Mistake #3: Having a generic or boring headline

Your headline is the second thing that people see when they visit your profile, and it should capture their attention and interest. A generic or boring headline can make you blend in with the crowd, and can miss the opportunity to showcase your value and expertise.

To avoid this mistake, use a customized and catchy headline that summarizes your current role, company, and unique selling point. Include your most relevant keywords, credentials, awards, or achievements. You can also use a tagline, a question, or a call to action to make your headline more engaging and memorable. Here are some examples of how to customize your headline:

• Chief Marketing Officer at ABC Inc. | Driving Growth and Innovation in the Digital Age
• Award-Winning CFO with 20+ Years of Experience in the Financial Services Industry
• Helping Senior Leaders Achieve Their Full Potential as an Executive Coach and Consultant
• Are You Looking for a Dynamic and Visionary CEO? Let’s Connect!

Mistake #4: Having a long or vague summary

Your summary is the third thing that people see when they visit your profile, and it should tell your story and persuade them to learn more about you. A long or vague summary can bore or confuse your readers, and can fail to convey your personality, passion, and purpose.

To avoid this mistake, use a concise and compelling summary that highlights your career journey, your current role and goals, your core skills and values, and your unique differentiators and achievements. Use bullet points, numbers, or symbols to break up the text and make it easier to read. You can also add a personal touch, such as your hobbies, interests, or causes you care about, to show your human side and connect with your readers. End your summary with a call to action, such as inviting them to contact you, view your portfolio, or visit your website.

Mistake #5: No Linkedin presence

Your presence on LinkedIn is not only about your profile, but also about your activity and engagement. A passive or inactive presence can make you appear uninterested, outdated, or irrelevant, and can limit your exposure and network.

To avoid this mistake, be active and visible on LinkedIn by posting, sharing, commenting, and liking relevant and valuable content regularly. This will help you showcase your thought leadership, build your personal brand, and stay on top of the latest trends and insights in your industry and profession. You can also join and participate in groups, follow influencers and companies, and attend events that are related to your interests and goals. By being active and engaged, you will increase your chances of being noticed and contacted by potential employers, recruiters, or peers.

Mistake #6: Having a weak or limited network

Your network on LinkedIn is your most valuable asset, as it can provide you with access, information, and opportunities that can advance your career. A weak or limited network can restrict your reach and influence, and can reduce your chances of getting referrals, recommendations, or introductions.

To avoid this mistake, grow and nurture your network on LinkedIn by connecting with people who are relevant and beneficial to your career, such as former and current colleagues, managers, clients, partners, mentors, or industry leaders. You can also use the “People You May Know” feature, the “Alumni” tool, or the “Find Nearby” option to discover and connect with new people. When sending a connection request, always personalize your message and explain why you want to connect with them. Once you are connected, keep in touch with your contacts by sending them updates, congratulating them on their achievements, endorsing their skills, or offering your help or advice.

Mistake #7: Having a negative or unprofessional tone

Your tone on LinkedIn is the way you communicate your message and express your attitude and emotions. A negative or unprofessional tone can damage your reputation and credibility, and can alienate or offend your audience.

To avoid this mistake, use a positive and professional tone on LinkedIn by being respectful, courteous, and polite in your interactions. Avoid using slang, jargon, or abbreviations that can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Avoid complaining, criticizing, or venting about your current or previous employers, managers, or colleagues. Do not post or share anything that can be considered inappropriate, controversial, or divisive, such as politics, religion, or personal issues. Instead, focus on sharing your achievements, insights, and opinions in a constructive and respectful way, and appreciate and acknowledge the contributions and feedback of others.

Mistake #8: Having irrelevant skills

Your skills on LinkedIn are the abilities and expertise that you have acquired and developed throughout your #career. They are also one of the main criteria that employers and recruiters use to find and evaluate candidates. A lack of or irrelevant skills can make you appear unqualified, outdated, or mismatched for your desired role.

To avoid this mistake, list and update your skills on LinkedIn by adding the ones that are most relevant and in-demand for your industry and profession. You can use the “Skills and Endorsements” section, the “Featured Skills and Endorsements” section, or the “Skills Assessment” feature to showcase your skills and validate your proficiency. You can also use the “LinkedIn Learning” platform, the “Open to Learning” option, or the “Career Explorer” tool to learn new skills or discover new career paths. By having a diverse and relevant set of skills, you will increase your chances of being found and hired by potential employers or recruiters.

Mistake #9: Poor or no recommendations

Your recommendations on LinkedIn are the testimonials and feedback that you receive from your connections, such as your managers, colleagues, clients, or partners. They are also one of the best ways to demonstrate your value and credibility, and to differentiate yourself from other candidates. A lack of or poor recommendations can make you appear less trustworthy, competent, or successful, and can weaken your profile and application.

To avoid this mistake, request and give recommendations on LinkedIn by asking your connections to write a brief and specific recommendation that highlights your skills, achievements, and impact. You can also offer to write a recommendation for them in return, or proactively write one for someone you have worked with or know well. When writing a recommendation, be honest, positive, and specific, and use examples and numbers to support your claims. By having a number of quality recommendations, you will enhance your profile and reputation, and increase your chances of getting hired.

Mistake #10: An inconsistent personal brand

Your personal brand on LinkedIn is the way you present yourself and your value proposition to your target audience. It is also the way you differentiate yourself from other senior executives, and position yourself as an authority and a leader in your field. A lack of or inconsistent personal brand can make you appear unclear, unfocused, or unremarkable, and can reduce your visibility and impact.

To avoid this mistake, create and maintain a consistent personal brand on LinkedIn by defining your purpose, vision, mission, values, and goals. Then, align your profile, content, and activity with your personal brand, and use a consistent tone, style, and voice across all your communications. You can also use a personal website, a blog, a podcast, a book, or a speaking engagement to amplify your personal brand and reach a wider audience. By having a strong and consistent personal brand, you will establish yourself as a trusted and respected expert, and attract more opportunities and connections.

Conclusion

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for senior executives who are looking for a job, or making a career transition, but it also requires some strategy and effort to use it effectively. If you need help in redesigning your Linkedin profile and implementing it to enhance your personal brand, get in touch. Book your complementary Linkedin profile assessment here: https://calendly.com/beatastaszkow/30min

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