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Many LinkedIn profiles are not very clear. Some profiles resemble a sweaty, misfit, goal-less, inexperienced teenager with a bad haircut. If you are not sure why you are on LinkedIn, then neither am I and neither are job agencies.
What is your profile saying about you right now? Does your profile look like an old flip flop, or a cool, metallic red Converse All Star high top?
Why are you on LinkedIn?
Sure, we can assume you are signed up to hunt for fantabulous jobs or creatively challenging projects. Some people would love to build a rockstar status and a gigantic professional worldly network. Some people are not that confident nor do they need to be internationally known.
Some questions
Try to look at your profile objectively or have a mean friend help you figure out:
● Why are you using LinkedIn?
● What do you want to achieve with your LinkedIn profile?
● What is your purpose for being on LinkedIn?
Browse other profiles
Many people do not know why they are on LinkedIn. Several years or months ago, someone slightly cooler than us said, “Man, you gotta be on LinkedIn.” So, we signed up. Made a profile. Check. Checked in even when nothing was happening. Check. And, we still have no reason for being there. Check.
Of course, we are all jealous of the Social Media Olympic team doing triple somersaults with double half twists off the LinkedIn high diving board. For now, some of you might just want to dip one toe in the water. I’ve pecked out some suggestions to get your feet wet and help you find your purpose.
Top 7 reasons for being on LinkedIn:
1. Brand you. Create a name for yourself or your business. 2. Hunt for a new job secretly under the radar. 3. Loudly, proudly and actively search for a new job. 4. Build a network of acquaintances, friends, family, colleagues, or anybody. 5. Find people who are smart like you, do what you do, live where you live. 6. Join groups full of people doing your dream job. 7. Explore political ambitions, volunteerism, philanthropy, saving the planet.
Become an All Star
For your profile to be a Converse All Star, first you need to figure out what you are doing there. Maybe you are talented, experienced, educated, but you don’t shout about your best achievements, talk loudly about your gold medals or enjoy standing on the podium.
We get it. You are just not comfortable patting your own back and shining the spotlight on yourself. Then, why you are on LinkedIn? Really? If you are there to get noticed and get a job or get involved in politics or sustainable energy talks, then you cannot HOPE to get noticed.
How can you get started?
Here comes your friendly shove to get your goals on paper. Create a similar Top 7 list as above and fill in the blank "I want to use LinkedIn to _____." Then, start changing and sculpting your profile and your LinkedIn activity to support all your new goals.
In the past, you might have been the one silently wading around in the baby pool just watching others learn to swim. You have to start being more active, work on your contact list, and build a better network. Time to get in the big, professional job pool. Swim around. Attempt a little splash.
About Big Fat Writer
In 2010, I started my own business as a freelance writer and LinkedIn changed for me. I made a business plan goal to figure out this mysterious LinkedIn networking world and use it to promote myself and my business. I am not a guru nor am I a social media wizard. I am a social media learner. If you found this helpful, then find me and connect on LinkedIn.
Links
First article in the LinkedIn Series:
What Are You Waiting for on LinkedIn?
Twitter for Virgins, Old Aunties and Twits
My Big Fat LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn Help Center Page
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