Position Your LinkedIn Profile for a Successful Career Pivot
How can you position your LinkedIn profile for a career pivot, to attract recruiters hiring for those roles?
Dividing between what you've done and what you want to do can sometimes feel like writing a résumé for Clark Kent/Superman. You're the same person, and you've got lots of strengths, sometimes in different areas.
But you've got to make it clear what you want your next step to be, if you want recruiters to find you for that role and if you want to grow your network to help you move into it.
Here are my best tips for positioning your LinkedIn profile for a career pivot.
1. Optimize Your Headline for what you want NEXT: Your headline is the first thing people see and the heaviest weighted portion of your profile in recruiter searches.
Share your unique strengths, experience, and what you want next.
Examples :
Sales Leader moving into Business Development roles | Manager/Director | Strong Experience Securing New Business and Meeting Client Needs | Growth Mindset | Completing MBA/PMP
Versatile Marketing Director with a Background in Client Account Management | Moving from Agency to In-House | Known for Building Brands, Growing Relationships, & Moving the Needle on Customer Acquisition
2. About section: Use your summary to tell your unique career story - especially the strengths that position you for the career change, and be sure to use the keywords that are used in the job descriptions you're targeting.
3. Share Achievements with Media: Visuals speak volumes and pull people in. Enhance your profile with multimedia content like project showcases, presentations, or portfolio links. This adds credibility and provides a comprehensive view of your capabilities.
4. Engage and Network: Comment, comment, comment. Build a new network in your desired field by commenting on relevant posts and following leaders at desired companies, and commenting on their posts.
5. Skill Endorsements and Recommendations: Leverage the endorsements and recommendations section to validate your skills and expertise. Request recommendations from colleagues or mentors who can speak to your capabilities in the new area. This social proof adds credibility and boosts your profile's appeal.
Ready to pivot? Implement these strategies and watch your LinkedIn profile become a magnet for new opportunities.
