Planning to update LinkedIn ahead of your job search – while you’re still employed?
Maybe you’d rather not appear to be job hunting, but would like to promote your skills in case a great opportunity shows up.
You’ll see a number of ways you can put yourself “out there” in 7 Must Know LinkedIn Tips for Executives, even if you’re only beginning to look around.
Here are some things to keep in mind when updating LinkedIn while you’re employed:
Your boss is probably updating their LinkedIn profile, too.
Every day, more executives join LinkedIn (at least 10 million, according to this article on LinkedIn demographics by Omnicore Agency), fostering their networks for a strong digital identity.
In short, if you’re on LinkedIn, so is your boss – and they’re updating their Profile continually or considering it.
It’s also likely that your colleagues are combing LinkedIn to see what others have said about themselves, and wondering how to properly adjust their own profiles while still employed. (There’s nothing stopping you from joining them by looking at how they’ve described their own backgrounds).
Consider these steps in updating your LinkedIn presence to start adding more content online, while keeping an eye on whether your leadership teams and colleagues are doing the same.
You’ll quickly realize that you are not alone.
Your LinkedIn update can promote your employer as well as your own career.
If you fear the boss looking over your shoulder, relax. Your LinkedIn profile can tout your expertise and the company’s reputation at the same time, to everyone’s benefit.
To do this effectively, think about how to market what your employer does and how you help deliver these results, starting with answers to these questions:
- What product or service does your employer deliver, and what type of positive reputation do they have for doing it?
- How has your work helped them stay competitive or innovative in the field?
- If you met someone at an industry conference, what would you tell them about your employer?
- How would you describe your impact or legacy in the industry?
Then, turn these answers into a synopsis that benefits both parties, such as this example:
As Chief Revenue Officer for XYZ Company, I work behind the scenes to ensure our sales teams completely understand B2B market needs for new sheet metal components.
By partnering with suppliers on new steel and fabrication requirements, we’ve created trend-setting, innovative products. Our sales and revenue metrics reflect a #1 ranking among major residential and commercial customers.
My role as CRO demands an insider’s view of product strategy, growth opportunities, lead generation, and marketing, enabling me to collaborate with senior executives and build a data-driven organization.
We strive to create a positive customer experience with the right talent, sales enablement, and integrity that has positioned XYZ as the premier source for quality building and roofing products.
This About section for a Chief Revenue Officer describes a company-focused and driven leader with the right skills to take the company forward – and to satisfy the needs of prospective employers.
Note the keywords judiciously added throughout the text – strengthening LinkedIn SEO and describing this executive’s fit in the next company.
You (likely) can’t add all your achievements when updating LinkedIn.
Your resume and LinkedIn Profile are accessed differently: you can distribute your resume confidentially, but you can’t take back company secrets after they’re published online.
So, it’s best to tune your Profile to avoid disclosing confidential details on LinkedIn (even if you’re adding the same data to your resume).
Think about it: if you’re describing extensive turnarounds or transformation projects, this could imply that your employer is struggling. Improving productivity might also indicate that your company doesn’t hire or mentor top producers.
To update your LinkedIn Profile while employed, look at the accomplishments in your current role. Are there new projects you shouldn’t mention online, or metrics that are only known to company insiders?
Would describing your accomplishments help industry competitors? Are there new growth initiatives or M&A actions that have yet to be completed?
If so, consider removing these details or referencing them in a more “general” manner.
To summarize, updating your LinkedIn Profile while you’re still employed is a great idea – and a common step for many leaders in today’s job market.
Take a moment to ensure you’ve portrayed BOTH you and your employer in the best light, even while searching for a great job opportunity.
