Harnessing the power of LinkedIn – best practice tips to build your personal brand on the platform to develop your career.
In the fast-paced world of Information Technology, staying relevant and advancing your career can be a challenging task. One powerful tool at your disposal is LinkedIn. With over 800 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is not just a platform for job hunting; it's a platform to build your personal brand, expand your professional network, and establish yourself as an expert in your field. In this blog post, we'll delve into how IT and technology professionals can harness the potential of LinkedIn to achieve these goals.
Optimising Your LinkedIn Profile
The journey to building your personal brand on LinkedIn starts with creating an attention-grabbing profile. Your profile is a summary of who you are, your experience, and your aspirations for your career. It is also what Recruiters and Hiring Managers will see when they are looking for candidates for their open opportunities, so it’s important that it is up to date, relevant, and has all the right boxes ticked to help you reach your career goals.
How to make the most of your LinkedIn presence:
Professional Photo: Upload a high-quality, professional-looking profile picture. Dress appropriately and maintain a friendly, approachable expression. Avoid sunglasses, revealing clothing, and group shots.
Compelling Headline: Craft a headline that clearly states your expertise and value proposition. Use keywords relevant to your IT field. E.g. Data Analyst specialising in PowerBI, SQL & Reporting
Summary: Write a short summary that highlights your career goals, achievements, and what sets you apart as an IT professional.
Work Experience: Provide detailed descriptions of your roles, emphasizing your accomplishments and the impact you made in each position. Make sure to use keywords such as programs, software, and technical specific jargon that Hiring Managers and Recruiters will be searching for.
Skills: List your technical skills and endorse others in your network to strengthen your credibility.
Engage with and build your network
Once your profile is optimised, it's time to start sharing and engaging in content that showcases your expertise and interests. Think of LinkedIn like a virtual conference - encourage others, reach out for help, share both successes and failures, contribute your opinions to discussions.
Here are some starting points on activity to try on the platform:
Thought Leadership: Share your insights on IT trends, emerging technologies, and industry news. Write and publish articles on LinkedIn's publishing platform.
Engage with Others: Comment on and share relevant content from your network. Engage in discussions and showcase your knowledge.
Visual Content: Share infographics, videos, photos, and presentations either created by you or others – but if sharing other’s content make sure to tag them!
Regular Updates: Consistency is key. Post updates regularly to stay visible in your network's feed. Aim for authentic, honest posts while keeping it professional.
Connect Strategically: Connect with professionals in your field, colleagues, mentors, and leaders. Personalise connection requests by adding a message if you know the person outside of LinkedIn to show your genuine interest.
Join Groups: Participate in LinkedIn groups related to IT, technology, and your sector. Engage in discussions and share your expertise.
Networking Events: Attend virtual and in-person networking events, webinars, and conferences. Connect with attendees afterward to nurture your relationships.
Your personal brand is your best foot forward
Engagement is key to building a strong personal brand. There is nothing worse for your personal brand than not responding to a message or ‘ghosting’ someone who asked for your advice.
Follow these best practice tips to improve your esteem in your field:
Respond to Messages: Promptly respond to messages and connection requests. Personalise your responses to foster meaningful connections.
Collaborate: Seek opportunities to collaborate on projects, webinars, or articles with other experts in your field.
Mentorship: Offer mentorship and guidance to less experienced professionals in your network.
LinkedIn offers IT and technology professionals a powerful platform to build their personal brand, expand their network, and position themselves as experts in their field. By optimizing your profile, creating and sharing valuable content, building a strong network, and consistently engaging with your connections, you can leverage LinkedIn to advance your career and achieve your professional goals in the ever-evolving world of technology. Start today, and watch your LinkedIn presence propel your IT career to new heights – and as a final note, follow Peoplebank New Zealand for all the latest IT contract and permanent job opportunities, and It recruitment sector insights!