LinkedIn is NOT Facebook. LinkedIn is the most powerful network tool if used correctly.
● Profile picture: One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don't have a profile picture. This is a social network; why are you trying to hide? 😂 You have a smartphone; get in front of good lighting and take a professional picture.
Context: My friend had an old picture with a mask on his chin; it was a picture of him looking shlumpy. I advised him to change his picture to a more clean and more professional photo of himself. People started messaging him about opportunities the next day - he was now more approachable.
● Do NOT use an outdated picture from 10 years ago or cut someone out of an image or a blurry vision!! Take the time to take a current photo.
● Edit your LinkedIn URL - in the upper right-hand corner, click on Edit public profile & URL - this gives you the option to Personalize the URL for your profile. If available, change it to your NameLastname; if your name isn't available, try different variations - but no numbers!
Examples:
gila.bublick
gbublick
● Cover photo: Yes, do it. Find a relevant picture showcasing more about you professionally and your talents. This is your stage - use it.
● Use the bio section!! Recruiters 100% will read it! You can be creative here. Do not talk about your workplace - this is about YOU. Talk about experience, past jobs, fun facts, etc.
● If you're looking for work or hiring - use the LinkedIn banners - zero shame!
Network, Network, Network!!
Connections: There's a reason LinkedIn doesn't call them friends or followers - because they are not any of those. They're your CONNECTIONS.
It is 100% professionally acceptable to connect with talent acquisition/recruiters/people in your industry. Don't connect with too many people in a day, or LinkedIn will think you're a robot and block you!
Connect with your friends; whether you spoke to them in the last year is irrelevant. You're not connecting to rekindle your kindergarten friendship (but if that happens, it's OK, too 😂).
You're on LinkedIn to expand your professional network - so be SOCIAL!
Adding a personal message before or after sending a connection request will help build your relationship with the person. Some people will only connect with people they know in real life, which is understandable.
When you see an open position you'd like, go to the company's LinkedIn page; under 'people,' you'll see who works there and whose connections are connected to them or past connections who worked there.
You don't want to be social on LinkedIn? Tough noogies,
it's time to step out of your comfort zone 🔥!
Here's a story to prove my point:
I'm connected on LinkedIn to my brother's friend from high school, who is now the CEO of a fantastic start-up. Often when he likes/comments on things, it comes up on my newsfeed - which I love because he always comments on cool things!
One day, he commented on a post about how a guy met his wife at a stoplight (this is the short version, it was an adorable story!!). I loved the post and commented. The poster sent me a connection request and a direct message. He then shared a job opportunity with me. He had no obligation to take the time to look at my profile or try to help me, but he did!
We continue to DM and have a back-and-forth in the comments. Then, my good friend jumped in to our convo with a funny and relevant comment. They both happen to work at Amazon! My friend is making Aliyah, so I intro'd them in the comment, and now they're going to meet up!
See how that worked? 😃
© 2023 Gila Bublick | Linkedin | gbublick@gmail.com
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