Friday, September 20, 2013

LinkedIn and Branding: Market yourself

Well, we all know about LinkedIn. Don’t we? That is the reason we sit and update it so carefully, when we start looking for jobs. Is that the only time we should be updating it? Why not do it on regular basis like we update our status on Facebook or Twitter? It is obvious that you do not need to update it so frequently. But yes, you always need to refurbish your profile regularly, as your profile is the one that speaks for you. Will updating my profile really help? Yes, it sure will, but the results are more profound when you advertise yourself in a creative and innovative manner.

Diving deeper, how does LinkedIn help in marketing yourself? It is not just an online resume. It is the place where all the corporate recruiters can see your accomplishments. It is basically a marketing campaign in which you are the product. Your profile is your portfolio.

What if I don’t have a portfolio? It is never too late to create it. A power point presentation including all your accomplishments is a starter. Get ideas! What is internet for? Ask experienced people. You need to create a respectable brand for yourself.

How to create your own brand? Well, it is simple, showcase everything you have got. Include the type of challenges you faced, the way you approached and solved it. Add the link to your articles or research papers if you have written any or the presentations you have given. LinkedIn creates an impression on a person looking at your profile – Make sure it is the best!

What boosts your brand? Recommendation letters from the right people is a big YES. Recommenders are the people who have actually worked with you closely and have gauged your potential. If they write a few good words about you and your strengths, that can add a lot of value. There is also a section in which people can endorse you for specific skills. Make sure your strengths have good endorsement.

Resume is not the only way to show your achievements. You can do a lot more using LinkedIn. It has become a great source for employers seeking talented candidates. Make sure you have a profile that stands out!

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2 comments:

  1. Hi Santrupti,
    I must say that your blog is very interesting, I like the way you presented the topic and the picture of profile page highlighting some key features of LinkedIn. I like the idea of power point presentation to showcase your skills, but as you said one can be more creative and come up with innovative ideas to present themselves.
    Especially for people who are new to LinkedIn your blog gives a sense of motivation to create a profile and showcase their skills.
    Good job!

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  2. First of all, your discussion about recommendation letter in LinkedIn impressed me very much because some people might ignore the importance of it. I agree with you that strong recommend from people who knows you well often bring you exciting result when you try to find job.

    In addition, you proposed four short questions at the beginning of four paragraphs of your article. In this way, you not only connected your ideas logically but also invoke the interest of readers.

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