Career Development & Professional Growth

2016: I’ll check your CV 2024: I’ll check your LinkedIn profile 93% of the recruiters use LinkedIn to hire candidates. As a recruiter myself, I also check LinkedIn profiles to get more info and find more candidates. LinkedIn isn’t the same job-hunting platform it used to be a few years ago, it has become the prime hotspot for recruiters and hiring managers. It’s 2024, and merely having a LinkedIn profile won’t set you apart. Here’s what you should do to be an extraordinary candidate ↴ → Showcase your expertise by sharing and engaging with insightful content regularly. → Show career advancement in your experienced section. (having the same job title for years could indicate career stagnation). → Use appropriate keywords and highlight relevant skills that match the job description. → Focus on networking and add the right people to your community to get more opportunities. While having skills is still the #1 requirement, having a presence on LinkedIn makes you stand out. Don’t just treat it as just another social media platform, build your profile, and it’ll help you build your career. ----------------------------------- P.S. I'm Shreya - a professional growth coach and a recruiter. Follow along in my journey for invaluable career guidance.

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 LinkedIn? Let me share a 3-second story that might just change your mind. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩: I recently helped someone struggling with their job search revamp their LinkedIn profile based on a few strategic tips I shared. They took the advice to heart and implemented the changes. Fast forward 2 weeks and they’ve been contacted by 𝟕 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 and are currently navigating 𝟒 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬—all this after 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐎 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by LinkedIn or unsure if it’s worth the effort, here’s why you should reconsider: 🌟 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫: LinkedIn isn't just another social network; it's a critical tool in today's job market. Yes, it might seem daunting, especially when you're feeling frustrated with your job search, but a few tweaks can truly turn things around. 🛠️ 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Start with a clear, professional photo. No need for a pricey photoshoot—you can take a great photo with your phone and fix it up with Canva. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: This is prime real estate. Beyond your current role, highlight your unique skills and what you excel at. Make it compelling! 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Your chance to tell your story. What are your strengths? What drives you? Make it personal and engaging. Experience Section: Go beyond job descriptions. Focus on what you've achieved, how you've made a difference, and what sets you apart. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Keep this updated and engage by endorsing others too, which often leads to reciprocation. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: More than just your degrees, highlight how your education aligns with your career goals. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: These are incredibly powerful. A good word from a peer or manager can make a huge impact. 🌱 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: - Maintain a simple, clean layout for ease of reading. - Focus on aligning your achievements and skills with the roles you are targeting. - If you’re more reserved, engage with content through comments, collaborative articles, shares, or likes—it's networking that doesn’t feel like networking! 🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: - Taplio for smart profile insights. - Teal AI for hands-on optimization help. - HeadshotPro.io for top-notch headshots. - Canva for all your graphic needs. (You can use for headshot, LinkedIn banners, post creation, and more!) You've got this, and I’m here cheering you on! 🎉 #jobseeker #jobsearch #linkedin

Most leaders avoid feedback conversations because they fear what might break. But what if the real risk is what you'll never build? According to Gallup, 80% of employees who receive meaningful feedback on a weekly basis are fully engaged (2019). Yet 37% of leaders admit they're uncomfortable giving feedback to their teams. That silence isn't kindness. It's career sabotage. I discovered this while coaching a brilliant VP who avoided giving feedback for 6 months. His reasoning? "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings." Meanwhile, his team was stuck in a loop of repeated mistakes, missed growth, and mounting frustration. The quiet cost of silence was crushing their potential. The truth? Feedback delayed is development denied. Here's the T.R.U.S.T.™ Feedback Framework I teach my executive clients: 1/ Time it right → 60% of employees want feedback weekly → But 39% wait over three months to hear anything → Create a rhythm, not just reactions to problems 2/ Real, not rehearsed → "In yesterday's client call, I noticed..." → Specific moments create specific growth → Vague praise and vague criticism both waste time 3/ Understand the person → Different team members need different approaches → Some need direct words, others need gentle questions → Personalize delivery, not just content 4/ Safe to receive → Ask "What support do you need with this?" → Make feedback a conversation, not a verdict → This transforms defensiveness into development 5/ Two-way street → End with "What feedback do you have for me?" → Your willingness to receive transforms your right to give → This builds feedback culture, not just compliance The most powerful leaders build teams where truth flows freely in all directions. Because when feedback feels like genuine care, not criticism, performance soars. What feedback conversation have you been avoiding that could unlock someone's potential? 📌 Save this framework for your next growth conversation ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for human leadership

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer

I've asked more than 1000 professionals: What is your biggest career challenge? One of the most common answers was: I don't have leadership experience. To most people it feels like a catch 22... So they stay stuck. You don't have to be a leader to demonstrate leadership skills. Here are 7 ways to get the ball rolling: (1) Educate yourself Read books, watch YouTube, consume on LinkedIn. Gain knowledge to start closing the gap. (2) Take a class/course Most companies suck at leadership training. Find a course or training that can prepare you for the next level. (3) Manage vendors/suppliers It's not the same as having direct reports, but it will teach you how to keep others accountable. (4) Mentor a junior employee Find someone who is more junior than you and help them out. Show them the ropes, share your experience. (5) Volunteer Leadership experience doesn't have to come from work. Lead your book club, support a local business. (6) Teach Teaching others builds authority and confidence. It also requires you to motivate and mobilize others. (7) Show leadership skills You don't need a title to start acting like a leader. Assume the role BEFORE you get the recognition: - Improve processes to increase team productivity - Facilitate knowledge sharing - Take initiative - Teach others This is how you cross the chasm into leadership roles. You create opportunities to develop the skills you need. *** Hey, I'm Maya. I teach ambitious professionals how to escape mediocrity and lead a career by design, not by default. Join 10,000+ professionals who get my weekly career guides https://lnkd.in/gPTwa5q5 #career #leadership

My growth as an Individual Contributor across Amazon, Uber, PayPal, and Google wasn't an individual effort. It was a journey shaped by phenomenal leaders who invested in my development every step of the way. Working at some of the most inspiring companies, I've been truly blessed to have amazing guides along the way. From my first agency internship with Susan Elmore, to Becky Zavala, MBA Zavala at Dow Chemical, Natalie Domond in Amazon Operations, Christina Sorenson who gave me my first corporate role on the Amazon Incentives team, Ricky Rios my first manager in NYC leading our team through a new Amazon product launch, Nancy Joyce Ghosh at Uber and Purva B. at Paul Murray Google. Each of these leaders took a chance on me and came from such different backgrounds. Their guidance allowed me to gain exposure to diverse strategic approaches, learn how to tailor communication for different audiences, think outside the box to solve tough problems, confidently promote my skills, and engage effectively with senior leadership. Having strong managers has played a monumental role in my career, and I am truly grateful for the lessons learned from their unique leadership styles. Here are some key tips I've learned that you can apply with your managers: - Structure Your 1:1s: Use your one-on-one meetings to highlight areas where you need clarity on prioritization or where your manager can help remove blockers for you. - Seek Exposure: Volunteer to shadow or sit in on meetings with your manager. This is invaluable for gaining additional exposure to what that next level looks like and how decisions are made. - Communicate Your Goals: Clearly articulate your career goals and the skills you want to develop. This enables your managers to actively seek out opportunities for you when they arise. - Ask for Real-Time Feedback: Always ask for open feedback in real-time. This allows you to course-correct immediately and continuously improve your performance and approach. A huge thank you to everyone who's been instrumental in my career journey! Your guidance has made all the difference. #Mentorship #CareerGrowth #Leadership #InterviewSuccess #CareerAdvice #MyJourneyToTech #ProfessionalDevelopment

[Help Offering: LinkedIN Tips] Been silent on here a while - Takes a second when a hoard of your friends and network makes this month’s latest layoff rounds. As someone who has been helped countless times by her professional network (A lot becoming legit friends - no joke - Tech conferences become like family reunions), I’d like to offer what I’ve learned for those getting started to those even in mid-late careers. STARTING WITH → The WHYs for updating your LinkedIn, Common mistakes, followed by tips for optimization. 1️⃣ Why should we have our LinkedIN updated even if we aren’t looking for a job? ⭐Strong Network⭐ Even if you’re not looking today, building a pipeline, so in 2 years when you may be looking, or your company undergoes layoffs, you already have that network in place. ⭐Speaking Engagements⭐ When you post what you’re passionate about, and what you’ve accomplished, people/companies may reach out to your to speak on podcasts/events. 2️⃣ Common Mistakes ⭐ Don't just copy your resume and paste it on LinkedIn⭐ You want to integrate elements, but LinkedIn is opportunity to share your career as a story. Write in first person! Instead of “my responsibilities are” say, “I had to learn how to A-B-C, resulting in...” Storify it. ⭐ Not consistently posting⭐ Post your own posts and like/share other peoples to get organic reach, exposing you to other companies/industry leaders. Study what kind of posts people you admire are posting and post in a similar way. Doesn’t have to be that complicated. ⭐Not having a professional brand⭐ What are you good at? What do you love? What part of your work brings you in that state of flow? What might other people say that you’re good at? ⭐ Leaving your "About Me" Section Blank Reflect on your dream job, areas of expertise, and implement into your profile. Just like, you want to dress for the job you want, you have to set your profile up for the job you want. Mention your background, but EMPHASIZE what you want your future job to be through your passions and on-brand experience. Leave the fuller picture to "Experience" section. 3️⃣ General Tips ⭐Who are the bosses of the jobs you want? Start to follow those people and engage with their content (ie comment, share, likes) - They’re going to notice and then in a few months you can ask to connect ... say, “I’ve followed you for a while now and love your content, I’d love to connect with you," and they’re more likely to accept that. Someone eventually is going to say yes. ⭐ Blend in personal projects and relevant hobbies on LinkedIn⭐ Recruiters LOVE to see what you’re working on. Even if it’s outside of work, they like knowing what you’re interested in outside of your day job. ⭐ Headline optimization⭐ Search engine shows only your picture and your headline. Title, company and something else about you to give more information and entice them to click on your profile. ⭐ Apply these steps BEFORE paying for premium membership resources and perks.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive job market, especially in fields like IT and cybersecurity, your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression. As I navigate through various profiles for people who want to work for me, I’m surprised to see many that lack essential elements – like a profile picture! Yet they display the open for work status on it too. So, here are some straightforward tips to make your profile stand out, especially if you’re job hunting: 1. Profile Picture: This is non-negotiable. A professional photo makes your profile many times more likely to be viewed. It doesn’t have to be shot by a professional; just make sure it’s clear and professional. Is a cartoon or AI generated one good enough? I am seeing this more and more and most of the mentees that do this are struggling to find work. Perhaps if you are not applying to jobs that make cartoons or is an AI profile picture company, maybe just maybe, be open to just having a nice real picture of yourself. Change it back when you are not looking for work. Just being real... 2. Complete Profile: An incomplete profile can suggest a lack of seriousness. Take the time to fill out each section with relevant information about your education, experience, skills, and certifications. Emojis 🤓🚨 are so popular, but if you want to have a valid account and that checkmark next to your name, it has to match a government ID or passport. So unless emojis are in your legal name, ditch it. You do you of course. But for those who need work, I just say remove them. 3. Headline & Summary: Your headline should capture your professional identity, while the summary is your elevator pitch. Use this space to showcase your ambitions, skills, and what makes you unique. Just being funny here can work if you are working to be a stand up comic, but for the rest of us this line is read by recruiters and hiring managers who are busy people so it helps to make this shine. 4. Recommendations & Endorsements: These add credibility. Don’t hesitate to ask colleagues or classmates to vouch for your skills. Don't play that game of having people endorsing skills. 5. Regular Updates: Share articles, post about your learnings or achievements, and engage with others’ content. It shows you’re active and invested in your professional growth. Its ok to be yourself here. Ok, you must be wondering about my profile: Yes, I get countless job offers all the time for just being me and I am not looking for work! Proud of it too! What you see is what you get. I worked very hard on improving myself by listening to my mentors over the years to get here. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is essentially your online resume and a window into your professional persona. A well-crafted profile can open doors and create opportunities. If you’re serious about your career in IT or cybersecurity, let your LinkedIn profile reflect that commitment. #LinkedInTips #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalBranding

As a technical recruiter, I come across hundreds of LinkedIn profiles, and I wanted to provide some tips on how to make yours stand out. Having an active LinkedIn presence is crucial for any job seeker or career professional. But it's not enough to just create a profile - you need to keep it updated, showcase your skills, expand your network, and participate actively. This increases your visibility and shows your dedication. In addition to being active, your profile itself needs to make a strong first impression. Treat your LinkedIn profile like your professional resume - it offers a snapshot of your best attributes. Here are some key areas to optimize: 📌 Headline - Summarize your current role and specialty using relevant keywords 📌 About section - Share an overview of your background, skills, and passions 📌 Experience - Detail your responsibilities and achievements for each position 📌 Skills - Include keywords recruiters search for 📌 Recommendations - Get colleagues to endorse your work 📌 Media - Spotlight projects, publications, certifications 📌 Network - Connect with professionals in your industry The more complete and compelling your profile, the more likely you are to be discovered and contacted by recruiters like me. The visual presentation also influences others' perception tremendously. I'm happy to provide more specific tips - feel free to connect with me here on LinkedIn as you update your own profile. Leveraging your personal brand effectively here can truly make a difference in advancing your career. #prosourceit #personalbrand #jobseekers #linkedinprofile

After spending 100's of hours on perf reviews, I've learned something simple that made a big difference in my career: Your work can't be recognized unless people know about it. This doesn't mean you should oversell yourself and suck up to others. It just means you do two things: 1. Share your results in a place where people can see it 2. Communicate results in a way that matters to your organization Doing this is one of the most time-efficient activities to help you get promoted faster. Doing good work is 95% of the effort. Don't forget to spend that last 5% to make sure you are rewarded for your work. Here's a template for how I've shared results in the past: https://lnkd.in/gH6uuN49