How to Master Linkedin Strategy to Accelerate your Career
- The Founder
- Jul 20, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
In today’s fast-paced engineering landscape, where competition is fierce and opportunities abound, standing out as an engineer is crucial to building a successful career. One way to achieve this is by developing a strong personal brand that reflects your unique skills, values, and aspirations. Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn can be a game-changer in establishing and promoting your personal brand in the digital sphere. This article will guide you on how to master Linkedin strategy to develop your personal brand as an engineer and utilise social media platforms to your advantage.
Utilise all of Linkedins Features
In the competitive engineering landscape, having a strong professional network can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters, fellow engineers, industry influencers, and potential collaborators. Engaging with their posts, commenting on their updates, and participating in relevant groups can help you foster meaningful relationships and expand your network within the industry. You don't need to have hundreds of connections, you don't need to be a Linkedin influencer, you just need to use these features:
Linkedin people search bar on company profiles
Linkedin Jobs Board
Linkedin profile Top Skills tags
Linkedin Learning
Elaborating below:
1. Linkedin people search bar on company profiles
This feature is my all-time fabourite feature to use on Linkedin, and responsible for a lot of my early success as an Engineer. So, diving straight in:
Step 1 - Go to the Linkedin search bar and type in the name of the company you want to work for. In this example, I have searched for McLaren.
Step 2 - Click on the company page and then click on the "People tab".
Step 3 (mobile) - Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see a button called "show all associated members", If you are doing this on your mobile (I am using my laptop in these screenshots).
Step 3 (laptop) - Simply see the associated members search bar (which wil be all employees of Mclaren in this case that have identified themselves on Linkedin.
Step 4 - Once you have clieck all show all associated members on mobile, you will see a list of McLaren employees with a filter on the Linkedin search bar for Mclaren. Click on that search bar, similarly on the laptop, just click the search bar under Associated Members as shown above. Type in the job role "Talent Acquisition", as shown below. On mobile be sure not to click any of the suggested options that drop down whilst you are typing, this will mess up the search for this specific company only.
Step 5 - If using the laptop, simply scroll down to see the results. On mobile the results will just be in front of you at this point. You should have a list now of all Talent Acquisition staff at McLaren Group.
Step 6 - Click on a few of these Talent Acquisition (TA) staff members and send them personal invitation requests (don't just press connect, press the "personalise invite" option).
Step 7 - Write them an invitation request, addressing them by name, briefly mentioning that you want to connect with them to talk about career opportunities at that company. As well as briefly mentioning your degree and a job role that you want to pursue. Don't worry about picking the right TA first time round, because you're also briefly going to add that if there is someone else more suitable to connect with, you would much appreciate the re-direction.
Connecting with TAs is an excellent way of getting into the jobs you want at the companies you want. Do not leave your career up to chance. They may not even be advertising a role and still present you with an opportunity. Everybody that you have ever called lucky, has created that luck by putting themselves out there to be found, to bump into the right person, or to find that winning ticket.
2. Linkedin Jobs Board
Linkedin job boards are another great way to discover proactive recruiters who are looking to get people into jobs. My eyes light up with joy when I see a job advert with this beneath it:
In the picture above, you can see a job advert with the hiring team member pinned to it. In these situations, I don't just apply for the role. I reach out to the person and try to arrange a phone call with them to discuss the role in more detail. Not every job advert will have the hiring team member tagged like this, so when you see it, it is a great opportunity to try and increase your visibility to them.
I have had many times where I've applied for a role, reached out to the tagged hiring team member, called them, and they've told me a load of people, that are not qualified at all, applied and it was a good thing that I reached out as I would have been lost amongst them.
3. Linkedin profile Top Skills tags
You do not need to pay for Linkedin premium services to be found by recruiters. I have never paid for Linkedin and I have recruiters in my inbox reaching out to me, every other day!
Recruiters often do pay for these premium features to help them headhunt talent. You can make their jobs easier by helping them find you using keywords called "Top Skills" that you can tag to your profile. First, you need to go to your profile page and edit the "add skills" section. Here you want to add all the relevant skills that you've gained from your degree and professional experiences. It does not stop there though (most people stop there!!!). The next step is to then edit the experiences and education sections on your profile and use the add skills feature on each to tag where you picked up each of the skills that you added. This allows people to track where you have picked up certain experiences and creates credibility too.
It still does not stop there though. The next step is to also add top skills to your "About" section. Don't just type in skills to the about section... utilise the add skills button. The skills you add in this section will be the industry that you work in, the main skill you are trying to get hired for, the job title you want to get hired for, and some industry specific keywords.
Completing this will help the Linkedin algorithm put you in front of the right recruiters, looking for the same tags, searching for relevant and qualified candidates to reach out to.
4. Linkedin Learning
Linkedin is a growing platofrm with numerous ways to connect with people and find great jobs. It is also a great place to pick up new skills, review existing skills, or even teach others with your expertise. Linkedin learning has so much great content to help you pick up the odd skill that could make all the difference when applying for new jobs, especially if you are looking for a career change. For example, maybe a job role says you need some know-how in Python to be a match for the role. You could use Linkedin learning to gain knowledge and practice using Python and when you are ready, put it on your CV!
You do not need to be an expert in everything mentioned on a job description. Do not reject yourself, let them decide if you are capable for the role.
The Power of Personal Branding for Engineers
Personal branding is more than just self-promotion; it's about authentically showcasing your expertise and passion to the world. As an engineer, your personal brand should highlight your technical skills, industry knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and professional achievements. This not only helps you attract the right opportunities but also builds credibility and trust among your peers and potential employers.
Creating and sharing meaningful content on LinkedIn can significantly enhance your visibility and credibility within the engineering community. Share updates about your latest projects, write articles addressing industry challenges, or discuss your thoughts on emerging technologies. Engaging with comments and messages shows that you are approachable and eager to connect with like-minded professionals. Remember, quality content not only helps you showcase your expertise but also establishes you as a thought leader in your field.
Leveraging Emerging Platforms
Apart from LinkedIn, consider exploring new social media platforms like X.com, which has recently implemented a job search feature. These platforms offer unique opportunities to showcase your brand, connect with potential employers, and stay updated on the latest industry trends. By diversifying your online presence, you can reach a broader audience and increase your visibility in the engineering community.
Conclusion: Your Personal Brand, Your Engineering Future
In conclusion, developing a personal brand as an engineer is essential for establishing your professional identity, attracting opportunities, and building a successful career. Through platforms like LinkedIn and emerging social media channels, you can curate a compelling brand narrative, engage with industry professionals, and position yourself as a valuable asset in the engineering community. Remember, your personal brand is a reflection of your passion, expertise, and aspirations – so invest the time and effort to cultivate a brand that resonates with your audience and propels your engineering career to new heights.
** Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the author of this post, on this blog and community are solely his own and do not reflect the views of any past, present, or future employers or any other organisations with which he is associated. The content here is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice. **
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