LinkedIn is a professional social media platform built to help you discover opportunities, network with industry experts, and share career milestones. Understanding how to navigate the platform is key to meeting new people and finding the next step in your career journey.
Improve Your Profile Content
A barren LinkedIn profile can make it difficult for your connections to pinpoint your experience and what you can bring to the table. Be sure to incorporate your complete job history with some bullet points related to your key tasks and accomplishments. This can help others see how you have performed in previous roles and where your expertise comes from.
In addition to job experience, highlight your educational background and any certifications you have received. Your education can help connect you to fellow alumni and faculty members in related fields. Certifications can help you stand out to employers or prospective customers seeking assistance in your industry.
Share Milestones
There is no such thing as ‘bragging’ when it comes to sharing on LinkedIn! Your network wants to see your milestones and the great things you are doing in your various roles. Be sure to share any upcoming events you are attending, new positions, educational knowledge, or anything else you think is interesting or unique about you and your experiences.
If you are happy in the role you are currently in, that is great! It is still critical today to build your profile. Not only can it be there if you are seeking a new role, but it can help attract potential clients to your business that you may not have found before. Having a plethora of posts boasting about the great work you do is a personable way to share with others what makes you and your company exceptional.
Establish New Connections
LinkedIn provides users with access to ‘people you may know’ based on shared connections, industry experience, educational background and location. Sifting through these suggestions may help you find previous coworkers, clients, or leaders in the industry you may want to stay connected to. By adding these individuals to your network, you will be able to see any of their career updates and message them if you are looking for advice or information.
As you attend professional events and network with others in your industry, don’t be afraid to send them a connection request. Even if you do not need their expertise or services now, it may be beneficial to have them in your back pocket in the future. It’s easy to misplace a business card, but connecting on LinkedIn ensures you remember the person and can communicate directly.
Interact with Posts
Once your account is established and you are making connections, it is important to continue to stay active. As you navigate your feed and see what your connections are engaging with, be sure to comment or interact as you see fit. This will show your connections you are actively seeking new insight in your field and want to continue to grow. It will also provide these individuals with a glimpse into your interests and who you are as a person. On a professional network like this, it’s important to establish your personal brand by humanizing yourself, rather than only sharing strictly professional content.
As social media continues to evolve, Baer Performance Marketing is here to help you navigate it. Whether you need help building your personal or organizational brand, our social media team would be glad to assist you. Contact us today to set up a consultation!
