When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? If you can’t remember, I’d say you’re well overdue.
Why?
Because executives are no longer hiring on your credentials alone. Hiring managers are looking at your online presence, especially your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn has become an excellent place to showcase your executive brand. This platform is all yours, so isn’t it time to take control so that it works for you and not against you? Here’s how:
Find Your Voice
Don’t just list your accomplishments or skills. Find your executive voice by deciding what types of work you actually enjoy. What leadership skills have truly defined your career? How do you want recruiters and stakeholders to perceive you? Once you have some good answers to these questions, you can move on to the next tip…
Optimize Your Profile
Your profile should communicate value and credibility. But you don’t want it to feel too salesy. You should optimize several key elements. Your headline should focus on value, not your job title. Use your About section to tell a clear story about who you are, what you do, and why you do it.
Focus on the Comments
Many people are super-focused on making the “best” posts. Instead of putting all of your energy on posts, focus on comments. Your comments can get tens of thousands of impressions. So, make them count. They can help you stand out (in a good way) among the crowd.
But Don’t Forget the Posts
While you want to focus on the comments, you don’t want to forget about the posts. Look for posts that highlight recent leadership experiences. Reflect on trends impacting your sector and offer brief commentary. This shows that you are staying current with trends and activity.
Publishing once or twice a week is enough to remain visible, ensure that your posts reflect your executive brand.
Be Real
As you work to make relevant posts, don’t forget to be real. People like and trust real human journeys. Share your experience, not just a “how-to” list. Tell stories and talk about your failures, lessons learned, and any transformations you’ve seen in the workplace. People like stories they can relate to. Many people forget the human aspect, which can become boring and repetitive.
Be the Authority and Own It
You can be very active on LinkedIn, but have no authority. Executives don’t need to be influencers, but they do need to look credible, current, and confident.
Three strategic ways to do this:
- Feature section: Pin thought leadership posts, recent media features, or presentations.
- LinkedIn headline: Move beyond your title. Focus on how you deliver impact (e.g., “Driving Scalable Growth for Mid-Market SaaS | Board Advisor | Revenue Strategist”)
- Recommendations: Request two to three new recommendations from peers, direct reports, or clients who can speak to your leadership.
Get Comfortable & Experiment
As you start following the tips above, you’ll get comfortable. This is when you can start experimenting to make your brand even stronger. Launch a newsletter, experiment with different formats such as video or carousels. Work with industry experts to get recognized. This is how you go from being visible to shaping conversations.
Why It Matters
If you’ve been looking for a job recently, you know that the job market is as competitive as ever. Quiet hiring, internal promotions, and referrals dominate senior searches. This is why standing out on LinkedIn is more important than ever. This can be your introduction to your new job without you even knowing it!
When your brand is polished and fresh, it allows recruiters to find you faster and you to connect directly with people who can further your career. Who doesn’t want that? Get working on your LinkedIn presence so you can make a lasting impression.
Bonus Tips
You only have a couple of seconds to grab a reader’s attention on LinkedIn. The first line of your post really needs to hook them in. Your hook can do one of three things: make someone curious to earn more, challenge a popular belief, or hit on a major pain point. If it doesn’t, then the rest of the post is a waste. You may have to experiment with different styles, but once you find something that works, stick with it!
Ready to Elevate Your Executive Presence?
Whether you’re planning a move, seeking board opportunities, or simply want to stay ready for what’s next, your professional digital brand matters. Let’s refine your message, sharpen your positioning, and craft a LinkedIn profile that opens doors.
Book a complimentary strategy session with Job Seekers’ Edge today and discover how executive branding can accelerate your next career move.
