Turning the Spotlight on Your Strengths : Mastering Your Linkedin Profile

Many of my clients, and frankly, myself included, often struggle with how to talk about our achievements. We're frequently taught that self-promotion is akin to bragging, especially for women, which can make writing a standout LinkedIn profile feel uncomfortable.

However, showcasing your professional strengths effectively on LinkedIn is crucial—it’s about presenting your authentic self to potential employers and collaborators. Here’s how you can do it from a recruiter’s perspective:

𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Start by narratively outlining your professional achievements as if you were someone else who knows and admires your work. This can help you objectively see the value you bring and articulate it without feeling like you're boasting.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖o𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Focus on the outcomes and impacts of your roles. What initiatives did you lead? What was the quantifiable impact? Describe these successes in a way that underscores your contributions without feeling like you're overstating your case.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻: Once you’ve laid out your achievements in third person, rephrase them into the first person for your LinkedIn summary. This ensures the narrative is both personal and polished, reflecting your professional persona authentically.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: Streamline your profile to improve clarity. Lead with the most important information and avoid overly technical language that could confuse recruiters who may not be specialists in your field.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀: If you were a recruiter, would you call someone with a profile like yours for an interview? Enhancing your LinkedIn profile can set the stage for new career opportunities.

Let’s discuss: What changes have you made to your LinkedIn profile that helped you better represent your professional journey? Share your insights below!