Using LinkedIn to grow your career

The job market is insane. A good CV and a decent cover letter aren't enough anymore to bag your dream job. 

There are lots of ways to stand out from the crowd—a great portfolio, a website, a good social media presence, etc. 

But today, I want to talk specifically about LinkedIn.

As a marketing contractor and business owner, I get all my opportunities by applying for roles I want, word of mouth, or through LinkedIn.

Decision-makers, recruiters/headhunters, and people ready to make business decisions are all on LinkedIn. 

Why not make your profile stand out?

Some people don't have the resources to hire a ghostwriter or social media manager. That's why I wanted to write a detailed guide on how you can build your personal brand, get your dream job, attract clients, etc.

Reasons why you should take LinkedIn seriously:

• Decision makers are on LinkedIn. You could be one connection away from your dream career.

• LinkedIn is a free place to network from the comfort of your home.

• Only 1% of LinkedIn users post weekly, making it one of the easiest social media platforms to grow.

• There are so many job opportunities on LinkedIn. Because of my posts, a few people have recommended me for jobs on LinkedIn!

• You can learn from others. I have learned so much just from scrolling and engaging on LinkedIn. 

Identifying your target audience and connecting with them:

Did you know you can connect with 100 people weekly on LinkedIn?

This gives you an excellent opportunity to connect with your target audience constantly.

Don't just send connections to everyone in any industry. Strategically figure out your target persona and connect with those people weekly.

How to be seen as a thought leader?

Post. 

I know it feels cringy at first, but you'll have to get over that if you want to be seen as a thought leader, grow your business, or attract your target audience on LinkedIn.

Does the feeling of being cringy ever go away? Coming from someone who has been posting consistently for over six months, no. However, I no longer care about people thinking I'm cringe.

We are living on a floating rock, and we're all going to die one day. We get one life. Are you going to not do something that could potentially change your life because a colleague might find you cringe? I'm not going to let that stop me. 

Also, most people who mention my LinkedIn posts to me tell me they love them. 

No one has ever criticised me. What people say behind my back is none of my business.

Never let other people's opinions hold you back from doing what you want.

Ask for recommendations/endorsements on LinkedIn. 

Recommendations and endorsements on LinkedIn are essential because:

• Recommendations from colleagues, managers, or clients provide third-party validation of your skills, work ethic, and professionalism. 

• When potential employers or clients see that others have endorsed or recommended you, they are more likely to trust your expertise and consider you for opportunities.

• They provide insights into your strengths and unique qualities that may not be evident from your CV.

• Recommendations and endorsements can improve your visibility.

• Positive recommendations can reinforce your personal brand and the image you want to project.

• For recruiters and hiring managers, recommendations can serve as an additional assessment tool when evaluating candidates. 

• Constructive feedback and recommendations can also provide valuable insights for your own career development. 

How to optimise your profile for visibility on LinkedIn:

1. Use a professional photo with good lighting, clothes that match your personal brand, and a friendly expression.

2. Write a headline that summarises your expertise, job title, and value proposition. Use keywords relevant to your industry to improve your visibility in searches.

3. Add a link to your portfolio (if you have one yet).

4. Write an engaging summary highlighting your professional background, skills, and achievements. 

5. Detail your work experience, including job titles, companies, dates of employment, and responsibilities. 

6. List relevant skills that demonstrate your expertise. 

7. Include information about your education.

8. Request recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, or clients to provide social proof of your skills and abilities. 

9. Upload samples of your work, presentations, publications, or projects.

10. Stay active on LinkedIn by sharing updates, commenting on posts, and participating in relevant discussions. 

11. Make it easy for people to reach out to you by customising your contact information. 

I hope this has been a useful guide and has convinced you to start taking LinkedIn seriously.

If you're looking to excel in your career, LinkedIn is an excellent tool to help you get there. Don't worry about what others think of you.

Optimise your profile and start posting!