18. LinkedIn – Unlocking career growth through networking and personal branding.
LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunting – it’s your gateway to networking, building a personal brand, and continuous learning. A strong LinkedIn presence keeps you connected, boosts your influence as a thought-leader, and opens new career opportunities.
The LinkedIn algorithm rewards consistent engagement: regularly interact with posts, update your profile with career-relevant keywords, and continuously grow your network.
Awareness:
- Does your LinkedIn profile reflect who you are and what you’re striving to achieve – link back to your purpose, values and career planning?
- Are you engaging regularly? Comment on posts with thoughtful insights, share articles relevant to your field, or publish original content to showcase your expertise.
- How actively are you expanding your network? Do you connect with, or follow, thought-leaders, peers, or potential collaborators.
Agency:
- Profile Audit: Review your LinkedIn profile — update your headline, summary, and experience to reflect your career goals and personal brand.
- Use headlines like “Digital Marketing Strategist | Helping Brands Scale”, rather than “Marketing Professional”, to make your expertise clear and searchable.
- Use a professional photo that aligns with your current role or aspirations.
- Select a banner image that represents your field or passions.
- Reorder your skills to highlight those that align with your next career step.
- Engage: Pick at least two days a week when you will like or comment on posts, repost, share an article, or write a short post yourself.
- Expand Your Network: Aim to connect with one new person each week—whether it’s a colleague, industry expert, or someone you admire.
- Follow and Learn: Follow, or connect, one new key influencer or thought leader each week. When you meet someone new, connect with them on LinkedIn immediately.
- Optimize for Opportunities: If you’re seeking new opportunities, turn on LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature. Engage regularly with companies and recruiters you’re interested in.
Recommended Resources:
- COURSE: Get started with LinkedIn – LinkedIn Learning
- COURSE: Accelerating your career with personal branding – LinkedIn Learning