How to Use LinkedIn: A Guide for Tech Professionals to Stand Out and Attract Opportunities

In our online world, networking has transcended conventional boundaries. Platforms like LinkedIn offer more than just a space to connect; they are ecosystems for career growth. Beyond the traditional notion of networking, LinkedIn serves as a versatile tool that can significantly impact your career trajectory.

Leveraging Thought Leadership and Productive Engagement

For tech professionals, thought leadership on LinkedIn extends beyond sharing routine updates like promotions or recent certifications. Rather, engaging content takes center stage. Crafting compelling narratives that showcase insights, problem-solving methodologies, and industry-specific knowledge is crucial. This approach goes beyond typical updates and involves creating in-depth articles on industry trends and emerging technologies, detailed case studies, or personal experiences resonating within the tech landscape. (What’s it like to be a product manager at a Big Five company? How has AI changed your day-to-day?)

Additionally, exploring multimedia formats can elevate content. Incorporating videos for demonstrations or tutorials, along with audio formats like podcasts or interviews, caters to diverse learning preferences within the tech community. Publishing on LinkedIn — via an article, a video discussion, or anything else — also allows you to add this content to your profile long-term, further reinforcing your credibility and point of view.

Elevating Others and Building Networks

LinkedIn is also a stage to showcase your ability to connect, engage, and uplift others in your industry. Hosting live discussions with industry experts about trending tech topics not only showcases networking prowess but also positions you as a valuable connector. Engaging in niche-specific groups and discussions fosters meaningful connections and keeps tech professionals updated on industry trends.

Perhaps the lightest, yet most effective lift is respectfully and inquisitively commenting on other peoples’ content. This participation positions you as an active contributor in the tech discourse, aligning with insights from multiple sources.

LinkedIn Groups — a feature where you can create private discussion boards — foster a sense of community among professionals with shared interests or industries. These groups offer a treasure trove of opportunities for tech professionals, offering a space to showcase expertise, seek advice, and collaborate on innovative ideas. Most importantly, discussions within groups can create opportunity for more targeted 1:1 interaction. Through active participation in these groups — or even the creation of these groups based on common employers, certifications, or other past experiences — tech pros not only expand their network but also gain access to a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives, ultimately enhancing their skill set and enabling a more complete perspective on the industry.

Leveraging LinkedIn Features for Maximum Impact

Your LinkedIn profile serves as your digital business card. Make sure your profile stands out by optimizing each section of your profile:

1. Professional Headline: Craft a compelling headline using industry-specific keywords.
2. Engaging Visuals: Choose a high-quality profile picture and background photo that reflect professionalism and personality.
3. Compelling Summary: Write a concise, first-person summary sharing your journey, passion, and aspirations while incorporating field-related keywords. Here is some guidance about how to write a great one!
4. Showcase Experience: Focus on concrete achievements rather than job descriptions, quantifying results whenever possible.
5. Skill Endorsements and Recommendations: Request official endorsements and recommendations from colleagues to add credibility. These appear below your work history.
6. Keyword Integration: Incorporate relevant industry terms throughout your profile for better search optimization. For example, in tech these might be: “application development,” “cross-functional,” “CRM,” and more.
7. Portfolio and Media: Include links to website, videos, or other projects in which you’ve been involved, further illustrating the breadth and/or depth of your expertise.

Metrics for Success: Gauging Impact

Tracking engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and shares provides insights into content impact. Even more so, however, you’ll want to be monitoring profile views, connection requests, and inquiries about your work. These serve as tangible indicators of growing interest and visibility within your professional network.

Take a look at this more detailed approach to tracking your impact by LinkedIn pro and talent acquisition leader Jason Seiden.

LinkedIn Power Users to Inspire Your Journey

The extended Merit network is full of tech pros who have built a personal brand via LinkedIn, therefore maximizing their presence in the industry. Get inspired and take note!

• Leslie Luo is a senior product designer at Uber, and hosts regular conversations about identity and the creative process via her substack westandease. She shares these conversations on LinkedIn alongside regular reflections on her role and the industry, which you can learn about by booking a mentorship session with Leslie on Merit!
• Catt Small is a designer at Dropbox, and consistently shares LinkedIn articles about inspiring, effective, and meaningful design. She also has insightful comments and reposts! Catt is a Merit mentor who also uses LinkedIn to share about her mentorship availability.
• Sam DeBrule co-founded AI-powered memory assistant Heyday. He uses LinkedIn to share about broad career topics, such as coaching and productivity, as well as ultra-specific industry trends, including artificial intelligence — where he can provide an expert opinion.
• Dani Grant is the CEO of of jam.dev, a tool which reports bugs with speed and ease. Dani makes engaging, short-form posts with instructive, paired video content — adding huge value to her followers by providing digestible expertise around engineering, product management, and more.

Embrace LinkedIn's Potential

By adopting strategies and exploring LinkedIn’s diverse features while incorporating insights from various sources, you can elevate your careers, establish yourself as a thought leader, and forge meaningful connections. Remember, ask what you can do for others, and be as specific as you can — LinkedIn can help you transform your career!