LinkedIn is much more than just a digital version of your resume, and optimizing your LinkedIn presence can expand your reach, enhance your brand, and help you grow your career. The platform offers a variety of features to bolster your professional networking and support your job search.
Take Advantage of LinkedIn Pulse
LinkedIn Pulse allows you to self-publish articles that are broadcast out to your connections and beyond. The platform uses an algorithm to share your post in the feeds of others within your industry who might find value in the content as well. With more than 1 billion LinkedIn members around the world, you have the opportunity to significantly broaden your reach.
Choose your content wisely. Research topics that are trending in your field or frequently asked questions related to your business. You want to capture your audience’s attention and fill a need or make them think. Provide information they can use and will want to pass on to others.
Position yourself as a thought leader. Add your own unique insight or perspective to a topic. By elaborating on what is already out there and incorporating your own expertise, you are viewed as more of an authority. Give readers information that delivers value and that they can trust.
Keep it professional. There are potentially millions of people who could read what you have written. Make sure you’re using a professional tone, have checked (and double checked) your spelling and grammar, and have fact checked any data.
The content that you share not only shows up on members’ LinkedIn Pulse feed, but also on your own profile page. If a recruiter, hiring manager, or industry leader should go to your page, they’ll see that you’re actively sharing content. Even better if you’re interacting with articles their company has written. Try to stick to a consistent schedule for posting your own material so people know what to expect and can rely on your input.
However, don’t forget to interact with others’ posts as well. If you’re only posting and not liking, commenting, or sharing what others have written, LinkedIn will reduce the visibility of your posts. Therefore, you should be contributing to discussions, providing feedback, and thanking others for their insights.
Join LinkedIn Groups
This is another way to expand your reach and take a step toward better optimizing your LinkedIn presence. There are a plethora of groups available where you can connect with like-minded professionals within your industry. Take the time to participate in discussions and ask questions. You can leverage your own experience to answer others’ questions as well. This can be a great opportunity to build relationships and stand out.
Additional Tips for Optimizing Your LinkedIn Presence
In addition to sharing articles you’ve written and interacting with others’ content, don’t forget to polish up your LinkedIn profile. Afterall, if someone clicks on your name, that’s where they’ll land.
Regularly update your experience. Make sure your work history is current as far as metrics, accomplishments, projects, and leadership roles. Add any new skills you’ve acquired, too. Incorporate keywords and phrases that a hiring manager might be searching for so you have a greater chance of your profile being a match.
Tailor your about section. This is one of the first impressions someone will have of you when visiting your profile. Be your own hype person and highlight the skills and experience you bring to the table. Align this section with the type of roles you’re seeking so a hiring manager can easily connect the dots and see why you would be a great fit. Not searching for a new job? Emphasize how you excel in your current position and have benefited the company.
Build out your network. Ask to connect with people you know and follow thought leaders and professionals who align with where you want to head in your career. Stay in touch with people you’ve met at conferences, trade shows, or continuing education events. You never know when someone might be a link to help you find your next job.
Ask for recommendations. Recommendations from people who have worked with you and can speak to your knowledge, experience, and abilities can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask someone if they can write about a project you worked on together, or how you positively impacted their business. Offer to do the same for others in return. Giving endorsements can be beneficial as well and encourage others to do the same for you.
Take advantage of all of the features that LinkedIn has to offer as you build out your brand and professional network. Make it a point to be more active on the platform, engage with others, and publish your own content to help yourself stand out and be seen as a thought leader.
Do you need help polishing up your resume and optimizing your LinkedIn presence? The team at Grammar Chic is here to lend a hand. Contact us at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net.
