Okay, so you’re on the lookout for a new gig and LinkedIn feels like the place to shout it from the digital rooftops. But instead of just saying “I need a job!”, let’s talk about how to make your announcement actually work for you. Think of it as your chance to tell your story in a way that makes people go, “Hey, I need to talk to this person!”
Let me tell you about Lisa. She is super talented, has a history of making things run smoother than a freshly paved highway, and is great with clients. But her first LinkedIn announcement? It was pretty much the standard “Seeking new opportunities.”
Yawn. It didn’t really tell anyone why they should pay attention.
“Lisa,” I said, “we need to make this sound more like you and highlight what makes you awesome. What cool stuff have you actually done that would make a new employer excited?”
That’s what we’re going to break down: how to write a LinkedIn announcement that’s clear, professional, and actually sounds like a human being talking about their skills.
What Makes You, Well, You (Professionally Speaking)
Think about what you bring to the table that’s a bit special. Let’s dig into it:
Show Off Your Wins: What are you most proud of accomplishing at work? Did you save the company money by fixing a broken process? Did your team crush their goals because of your leadership? These are your “look what I did!” moments.
Your Go-To Skills: What are you really good at? Maybe you’re a whiz with numbers, a fantastic communicator, or you have a knack for understanding customers. What are the skills people rely on you for?
The Impact You Make: How have you made things better in your previous jobs? Did you make customers happier? Did you help your team work more effectively? Think about the positive changes you’ve been a part of.
A Little Bit of Your Personality: You don’t need to tell everyone your favorite pizza topping, but letting a bit of your work-related personality shine through can make you more memorable. Are you known for being a problem-solver? A great team player? Someone who always gets things done?
Writing Your Announcement (The Easy Part!)
Now, let’s turn those awesome qualities into a LinkedIn post:
Hook ‘Em Early: Your first sentence should grab attention. Instead of the usual, try something like:
“Ready for my next adventure! I’m bringing [Number] years of experience in [Industry] and a track record of [Cool Achievement] to a new challenge.”
“Passionate about [What You Do] and looking to connect with companies that need a [Your Key Skill] to help them [Positive Outcome].”
“After an amazing [Number] years at [Previous Company], I’m excited to explore opportunities where I can use my skills in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3] to make a real difference.”
Highlight Your Superpowers (Your Value!): Talk about those special skills and accomplishments you brainstormed. Explain why they matter to a potential employer.
What Kind of Role Are You After? Be clear about the types of jobs or industries you’re interested in. This helps the right people find you.
Invite Connections (Nicely!): Encourage people to reach out if they know of relevant opportunities. Try something like:
“I’d love to connect with folks in the [Industry] who might know of exciting opportunities.”
“If you know of any openings in [Your Area of Interest], I’d be grateful to hear about them!”
“Open to chatting about [Types of Roles] and how my experience in [Your Key Area] could be a good fit.”
Proofread (Seriously, Do It!): Little mistakes can make a big difference. Read your announcement twice!
Update on Lisa
When Lisa and I rewrote her announcement, we focused on her knack for making complicated processes simple and how she consistently built strong relationships with clients, leading to better results. It sounded more like her – enthusiastic and confident.
The result? More messages from people with actual opportunities. She ended up landing a fantastic role where her ability to streamline things and connect with clients was exactly what they were looking for. Her LinkedIn announcement wasn’t just an update; it was her way of saying, “Hey world, this is what I’m great at, and I’m ready for my next challenge!”
So, ditch the robotic language and tell your professional story in a way that’s clear, confident, and genuinely you. You’ve got this! Go make that LinkedIn announcement shine!