Fire Up Your Linkedin ProfileHow to Use Your Profile as a Marketing Tool

Your Profile as a Marketing ToolYour Profile is an effective

marketing tool for your business or job search. Using social media to build relationships takes time and planning, but there is no financial cost and there are many rewards.

We Want to Be Social

“..fish swim in water, humans swim in a social context.” Dick Bolles, What Color is Your Parachute 2012.

Who Needs Linkedin?Job seekersEntrepreneursFreelancersRecruitersEmployersCareer professionals

Career Professionals Use Social Media

To stay up-to-date on current economic and employment trends.

Connect with other career professionals.

Share career information.Assist clients on how to use

Linkedin for career development.

Define Who You Are

Besides showing your expertise and building your networking skills you will be forced to define who you are as an entrepreneur or job seeker.

Introduce Yourself Group ActivityIntroduce yourself to the group with these

prompts:First nameA strengthA skillSomething interesting about yourselfIn small groups or as a group activity, ask

each person what they remember about someone in the group. If there is time, ask why they remembered.

Who is Your Primary Audience?EmployerCustomerClientColleagueFriends

You may be looking for a job while freelancing and going to school. Know your primary objective.

Know What You Want to Show Your Audience

Product or serviceSkills and experienceEducationCharacterValuesPersonality ResponsibilityExpertise in your career field

Your Profile is Your StoryDeveloping a profile is a process.You learn to say what you are

passionate about.You can add or change anytime.Use key words that are also

useful for a resume.Tell your story in different ways in

each section.

Linkedin Profile ElementsHead shotHeadlineSummaryExperienceEducationSamples of your workAssociations/Business

Connections Recommendations

Call to ActionWhether your audience is a current or

potential customer or a prospective employer, let them know what you want them to do next. Do you want them to: 

read your blog connect with you on social mediasend you an email message

Be sure to give your contact information where it is readily visible.

Write Your ProfileClearly describe your product or service.Show what you can offer a customer or

employer that no one else has.Share important values you bring to your

job or business.List skills you have that are needed in

your business or career field. Write something interesting about

yourself that might connect you with your audience

Think About Your PurposeBuild your networkLook for a jobMarket your product or serviceFind a business opportunityConnect with associations and

businesses

What Can You Do With Your Profile?

Increase your visibility to employers, customers, and clients.

Learn from other professionals.Research companies of interest.Demonstrate your skills and

accomplishments.See interest and responses to

your profile.

What can your profile do for you?Helps you define who your are

and what you want for:ResumeCover letterBusiness planAbout me page on websiteBio for

articles/speeches/presentations

Things to do on LinkedinJoin groups of interestInteract with discussionsShare your knowledgeConnect with people you know or have

worked with◦Advice for Contacting Dick Bolles:

Dick says: "Don't just say ‘I'd like to add you to my professional network.’ Please take the time to tell me WHY you want to connect.”

Social MediaSocial media tools when used well can

expand your opportunities.Places your resume, experiences,

skills, and accomplishments in the forefront and shows you have current usable technology skills. 

Level of engagement will depend on the career field and size of company of interest.

Social ReputationMaintain a professional reputation on

social media. You never know who is connected to whom

in your network.Everything you put on the internet leaves

a footprint.Be aware of security and privacy policies,

changes, scams, and issues.Enjoy networking, but remember the social

sites are a business that will continue to find ways to market you and your network.

Personal ContactPersonal contact and face-to-face

conversations are still the best way to network and build relationships for work and business, but Linkedin is a professional social media tool for introductions and follow-up to enhance and expand your social network. Nancy J. Miller, M.S., Fire Up Your Profile For LifeWork Success

The best way to look for a jobGo to meetingsAttend social eventsVolunteerGet training if neededMeet peopleBe ready for unexpected

opportunities

“Do you ever wish that one day your telephone would ring and someone would be calling to offer you the perfect job?” from “Luck Is No Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career” Krumboltz & Levin

Know the job you want and be prepared for work that needs to be done. Don’t just sit in front of your computer and wait for the phone to ring. Connect and network!

Prepare for the Unexpected

ResourcesFire Up Your Profile For LifeWork Successwww.tealpublishing.comWhat Color is Your Parachute? (2012) Richard

N. BollesLuck Is No Accident: Making the Most of

Happenstance in Your Life and Career (2004) J. Krumboltz, Ph.D. and A. Levin, Ed.D.

Career Thought Leadershttp://www.careerthoughtleaders.com

Quintessential Careerswww.quintcareers.com

Career Association Information California Career Development Association website –

www.ccdaweb.org California Career Development Linkedin group California Career Development Facebook page National Career Development Association – www.ncda.org

◦ Career Convergence web magazine available to nonmembers◦ Career Developments magazine for members◦ Career Development Quarterly research based articles online for

members National Career Development Association Linkedin group –

must be a member Li Slideshare – Social Media for Power Point Presentations Li Cardmunch – Business card app that links to Linkedin

profiles

Fired Up ProfileFor more information and tools for

creating a powerful profile go to:

Creative LifeWork Designwww.njmiller.weebly.com

Fire Up Your Profile For LifeWork SuccessAmazon, Barnes & Noble

Email Nancy: clwd@tealpublishing.com