Many people see LinkedIn as an app to open only when they want to job hunt or sound professional, or at least, that’s what I have heard from people around me.
But it is so much more than that, and I have been doing my part to persuade them to get on the train.
Like I always tell them, LinkedIn is a great platform for furthering your career or properly positioning yourself as an authority in your field.
In this age where personal branding and even influencing are a thing, LinkedIn is a great way to position yourself as a voice to listen to in your industry, which could attract a lot of opportunities.
As a freelance writer and blogger, I have gotten so many jobs on LinkedIn as well as because of LinkedIn.
So, I want to share with you the tips to further your career on LinkedIn. If you are ready, let’s get to it.
8 Tips to Further Your Career on LinkedIn
1. Optimise Your Profile (AKA, Make It Shine!)
Remember how they say, “First impressions last longer?” Well, your profile is your first impression on LinkedIn.
It is the first thing people see when they come across your name on LinkedIn. So, see it as an opportunity to sell yourself.
Hooting your own horn is one of the ways to advance your career on LinkedIn. If you don’t, who will? Right?
So, make sure your profile is completed and that you fill in all the different sections that you can. Ensure that what you have on your profile is crisp, clear, and shows off what you bring to the table.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Keywords
The keyword(s) should be based on the roles you occupy or want to pursue. After you’ve decided on that, use them in your headline, about section, and skills section. Recruiters search with these words, so you want a higher chance of appearing in the search results when they do.
Remember to use similar keywords as well. For instance, for a freelance writer like myself, I also included “content writer” and “SEO blog post writer” in my profile.
- Professional Headline
Your professional headline should be well-detailed. For instance, don’t just say “Account Manager.” Say something like “Customer-Centric Account Manager | B2B Sales | Growth Strategist.” Check out how I wrote mine in the image below. Plus, this is an opportunity to use the other keywords I mentioned above.
- About Section
Write in first person and share your career story, wins, and what excites you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through this; it doesn’t have to be stuffy or too formal if that’s not your style. For example, if you are witty and goofy, don’t be afraid to let that reflect in your bio.
- Profile Photo
Ditch the party pictures, please. Only use a clear, friendly, and professional picture for your profile photo. And if you need to get a photographer for this, it is worth it.
- Featured Section
Don’t leave this blank; add links to your work, press mentions, portfolio, or projects.
- Education and Experiences
Although they are in different sections, they often go together, so it goes without saying that you should add your educational background and experiences.
While your educational background should reflect your degrees or professional certifications, limit your experiences to those that matter.
You may have worked as a waitress in college; while that is laudable, it doesn’t need to be included except, of course, if it is relevant to your present career pursuit.
- Skills & Endorsements
This is also another section most people don’t bother about, but you need to list the skills that reflect your expertise here.
And don’t be shy to ask colleagues or supervisors to endorse you.
Also Read: Reasons You Are Not Making Progress in Your Career
2. Connect with Other Professionals
A wrong strategy is to wait until you need a job to start connecting with people. Build your network now when you don’t “need” it.
Add former coworkers, classmates, people you meet at events, including folks in roles you admire.
For most people, all you have to do is click the connect icon, and they will accept it. But if it is a big exec who might require a little extra prodding, add a short message.
Something like: “Hey [Name], I admire your work in [industry]. I’d love to connect with you” should suffice.
3. Join Relevant Groups
LinkedIn groups are a great place to meet like-minded professionals, share ideas, and even spot job leads. Search for some that align with your career path or industry and join a few.
But joining is not enough, you need to actually show up, comment, post, ask questions, and make friends. You never know who’s watching or who could call your name where it matters.
4. Create Relevant Content
You don’t need to be an influencer to post on LinkedIn. Just share your knowledge, thoughts, or journey. However, I realise it can be difficult thinking of what to talk about; here are some ideas:
- A challenge you overcame at work
- Tips in your industry
- Career lessons
- Projects you’re working on (or have completed)
- Repurposed blog posts if you have a website
This builds your authority and helps people understand what you bring to the table. Plus, it makes you more visible.
Also Read: 12 Productivity Tips for Young Professionals to Stay Relevant
5. Engage Actively
Like all social media platforms, you have to engage to be seen. So, comment on other people’s posts, celebrate others, ask questions and repost valuable content with your own insights.
All social platforms, including LinkedIn, favour people who don’t just lurk but actually participate. I understand it can be quite scary when you are just starting, but don’t overthink it; just be you, professionally.
6. Position Yourself for New Opportunities
If you’re open to a new role, let recruiters know. Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature so recruiters can know you are looking. Plus, you can keep it visible only to recruiters if you don’t want to make your status public.
Additionally, use the job search feature to search for jobs or set up job alerts for roles you’re interested in so you can get an email anytime something you might be interested in pops up.
Make sure your profile and resume is tailored to the role you are applying for so you can increase your chances.
7. Leverage LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is packed with thousands of courses to upskill, which is necessary in this age where things move at a fast pace.
The great thing about it is that once you complete a course, it shows up on your profile. And that helps you stay relevant and informs recruiters that you are serious about self-development.
8. Put Yourself Out There
This is the one that makes people nervous, but hear me out. Sometimes, you need to go the extra mile so people can notice you.
Sometime ago, I reached out to a recruiter on LinkedIn who put up a vacancy for full-time writers. I am a freelance writer, but since I also wanted to work with his company, I reached out to ask if he would consider freelancers as well.
And guess what? He got back to me for an interview. So, you never know.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; share your story, reach out to someone you admire, or even just a “Hey, I’m looking for new opportunities” update.
You never know who might see it. And often, it’s that one bold move that opens doors.
To conclude, if you’ve been sleeping on LinkedIn, it’s time to wake up and show up. Your next big opportunity might be a scroll away.
Now tell me, what’s the first thing you’re going to update on your profile today?
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