Lisa Fenton CSCMP is a speaker, writer, and supply chain management professional. Listen to her podcasts on "3, 2, 1, iRelaunch" - Episode 101: “What Does ‘Supply Chain’ really mean? And if I’m good at logistics, can I relaunch in that field?” and Episode 72: "Creating an Effective Return to Work Plan".
Having a social media strategy in place will help you to successfully return to the workforce, build deeper and more meaningful relationships, make more memorable impressions, develop mutual trust, advance in your career and discover new opportunities. Recruiters are utilizing technology for skills assessments and video interviews. They will review your social media activity or online presence, so you'll want to ensure they'll get an accurate picture of who you are.
While you may think having a social presence is not an important part of your return to work strategy, you will be surprised by the power of LinkedIn. In 2020 there are 660+ million users in more than 200 countries around the world. In addition to giving you a digital presence, a LinkedIn profile facilitates tapping into its powerful job board, building your brand, helping you rank your name on Google, managing a rolodex of contacts, researching companies, employees, and interviewers, staying up-to-date on industry news, and networking and engagement opportunities.
For relaunchers, having a social media strategy will facilitate building and maintaining your network, assist in your job search, and help build your professional reputation.
Banner - Customize with one of the following: picture of your workspace, benefit your client desires, city landscape, physical architecture, your service, cause or mission, tools of your trade, your product or service, you doing your work, solid color or abstract that reinforces what makes you unique.
Profile picture - Add a professional updated picture with the focus on your face, head and shoulders. Use a high-resolution image where your face takes up at least 60% of the frame and you are the only one in the picture. Choose an appropriate expression, use filters wisely and wear what you would wear to work while avoiding distracting backgrounds in natural light.
Intro section -
About section - This area allows you to brag about
your accomplishments. Use a catchy opening statement and share your
personality while including search terms. Add a call to action for
example - "Let’s schedule a call" and then include your Calendly
address. (Note: Calendly
has a free calendar app that lets you block out time you are not
available so those wanting to make a call can choose only times your
available.)
Also include your email address.
There is also an option for Multimedia (documents, photos, sites, videos & presentations) you can choose to upload or link your material.
Articles - Include published papers, research, white papers, books written or contributed to. Topics can include advice for someone entering your field, what your industry might look like in the future, changes and challenges in your profession, how you got your start in your profession.
Activity - This section shows your likes and comments on posts. There are also tabs for your articles, posts, documents and interests.
Experience - Include your relevant work history and description of each entry, along with work experiences written in the first person with a conversational tone in paragraph form. Make sure to include numbers, stats and achievements with keywords from your industry. You can also include media by uploading or linking the material.
If you have a side hustle you can list your company and experience in this section. For example, your company details and sections such as I did - "Blogger, Speaker, Writer, Podcast Guest" - and include media for each section as well.
Education
Include university/community degree relevant coursework as well by listing the name.
Licenses & Certifications - Include professional designations, certifications and licenses. LinkedIn learning courses and MOOCs can be included here as well.
Volunteering - Highlight and showcase your unpaid and charitable work, especially those with transferable skills.
Skills & Endorsements - Anyone can visit your profile and endorse you for the skills you have. Combined with recommendations, they can elevate your profile. Set up this section by itemizing your critical skills and knowledge assets. There are two types: general and specialized skills. You can seek endorsements from others through private email requests and offering to provide reciprocity to them.
Recommendations - Praise from an important client or former boss or colleague can help highlight the great things others recognize about you. A variety of sources is helpful and can even include volunteer positions. You can help by offering to write a draft as well as provide one for them in return.
Accomplishments - In this section you can include projects, languages and other credentials. Highlight if you beat a target or deadline, re-organized something, improved something, worked on a special project, received an award, received a compliment by a supervisor or co-worker.
Contact - This section lets you include three sites. I have my customized URL for LinkedIn, my company website and personal email.
Interests - This section can include news sources, influencers, companies, schools, groups and associations.
Additional tips -
Ask yourself a few questions when creating a post -
Story telling forges connections among people & behavior and people & ideas. In 2020 digital assets will include your content and your social currency. I look forward to seeing you on LinkedIn!
Join our growing relauncher communities on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more great guidance on your relaunch and updates on when return to work programs are accepting applications, events for relaunchers and more, be sure to sign up for our Return to Work Report and follow us on social media to stay informed!
