One of the ways LinkedIn adds value to overall career management and job search is that, when leveraged to full advantage, it can help keep you and your executive brand top of mind with your network.
To help you land faster, your network on LinkedIn should include recruiters and hiring decision makers at your target companies, and others who can help you reach your career goals.
Steady, gentle reminders of the value you offer can position you as a potential good-fit for your target companies.
I suggested the following strategy to a client who wished he had time to blog – a time-consuming commitment that was not realistic for him. This tip can have similar impact, but takes much less time.
How to Use LinkedIn Groups to Position Yourself as a Subject Matter Expert (SME)
→ Choose Groups that are open to public search, so your activity will be visible to all search engines.
→ Regularly (say, at least once a week) start discussions by sharing relevant blog posts and articles. Pull these from the sites you subscribe to or from your Google Alerts.
→ Add a few brief thoughts of your own that reinforce your SME.
→ Also, add SME-reinforcing comments to existing discussions.
Hopefully, you’ll generate interest and Group members will jump into the conversation, prolonging your opportunity to position your SME with your follow-up comments.
How to Find the Right LinkedIn Groups
→ Go to the search field at the top of your profile and, in the drop-down menu, click on “Groups”. Enter relevant keywords.
→ Go to the LinkedIn profiles of competitors, colleagues, and people who’s radar you want to get on. Look for the Groups they belong to and join them yourself.
Of course, if you’re in a confidential job search, be very careful not to post anything to Groups (or anywhere else online) that will “out” your search.
Related posts:
How to Use the New LinkedIn for Executive Personal Branding
Personal Branding Really Matters in Executive Hiring
The Biggest Executive Job Search and Personal Branding Mistake
photo by Coletivo Mambembe
Short and sweet yet highly relevant. Well done.
LinkedIn is highly effective at helping you get in front of individuals and parties that could really help propel your personal brand to places never before realized. Becoming ‘THAT GUY or GAL’ says a lot, and LinkedIN is definitely the place to start that journey.
Thanks for your comment, David.
I couldn’t agree more. For job search and healthy career management, LinkedIn is no longer optional.