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Building your personal brand on LinkedIn
Building a strong personal brand on LinkedIn can significantly enhance your career prospects and network. It can open doors you may not have otherwise been presented with and allows you to showcase your skills, experience and accomplishments.
LinkedIn is not only a professional social media platform, it is a powerful tool that is built on connections, community and personal branding. LinkedIn can help you find a job, connect you with potential employers and help you to further develop your career.
It's important to take the time to build your personal brand on LinkedIn so that you can stand out from similar professionals and remain top of mind when opportunities arise.
Your personal brand vs your reputation
When you hear the term ‘personal brand’ you may at first think that it is the same as your reputation. While your personal brand and reputation have some similarities, they are quite different.
Everyone has a reputation. The first impressions you make, the relationships you form with managers and colleagues, and how you communicate — all of these things impact how others see you. For instance, if you ask your colleagues to describe you, they might say you’re a warm person who’s easy to collaborate with. Some might say that you occasionally run late to meetings but are great at prioritising tasks. Your reputation is made up of the opinions and beliefs people form about you based on your actions and behaviours.
In comparison, your personal brand is the curated image or identity that you create for yourself. It's how you want to be perceived by others based on your values, skills, personality, and unique qualities. You have a higher degree of control over your personal brand because it's largely a result of your intentional actions and choices.
Both your reputation and personal brand are important, and ideally, they align positively. Building your personal brand on LinkedIn is an effective strategy to develop your career and attract employers when they are looking for talent to fill opportunities open in their business.
5 ways to stand out on LinkedIn
In order to stand out on LinkedIn, there are a number of ways you can optimise your profile, engage and connect with others, showcase your skills and build your personal brand.
1. Optimise your LinkedIn profile
The first step in standing out on LinkedIn is to complete all sections of your profile and showcase who you really are. Ensure you have a professional profile picture that showcases your personality, a well-crafted headline, and a summary that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals.
You should also include a detailed work history, emphasising key achievements and responsibilities, as well as any qualifications.
2. Engage with others consistently
Regularly share and create content related to your industry or expertise. This could include updates and posts, writing articles, or insights that showcase your knowledge and passion for your field.
Engage with your network by commenting on posts, congratulating others on their achievements, and participating in relevant conversations. This helps you stay visible and build relationships.
3. Build a professional network
Connect with professionals in your industry, colleagues, university alumni, and others who share common interests. It’s also recommended to personalise connection requests to increase the likelihood of them being accepted.
It is also beneficial to join and participate in LinkedIn groups related to your area of expertise, as well as areas you have an interest in. Engaging in group discussions can help you connect with like-minded professionals and expand your network.
4. Showcase skills and endorsements
Highlight your key skills on your profile and encourage colleagues and connections to endorse you for those skills. This not only adds credibility to your LinkedIn profile but also enhances your profile's visibility in searches.
5. Utilise LinkedIn features
Take advantage of features like LinkedIn articles to share long-form content and showcase your expertise. This can position you as a thought leader in your industry.
You can also use the 'Open to Work' feature if you are actively seeking new opportunities. This signals to recruiters that you are open to job opportunities and increases your visibility.
How to use LinkedIn to attract employers
By building your personal brand on LinkedIn, this can greatly improve the chances of attracting potential employers. A strong personal brand will showcase who you are, what you do well, your values, beliefs and expertise in your industry.
Remember to keep your profile updated, regularly create new content, respond promptly to messages and connection requests, and maintain a professional online presence.
Build a personal brand you’re proud of
Remember, building a personal brand on LinkedIn is an ongoing process. The goal is to cultivate a personal brand that you genuinely take pride in—one that not only accentuates your strengths and your ability to help others but is also a true reflection of who you are.
Your personal brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room. If your current personal brand doesn't align with your goals, it's within your control to take action to shape and refine it. It’s time to build a personal brand on LinkedIn that you’re truly proud of.
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