Why not to copy the LinkedIn content of executives

Multiple times a month someone tells me that they believe they shouldn’t add much from their resume to LinkedIn. I always ask them why not. They think LinkedIn should just give their basic information (name, rank, and serial number) and their resume should tell everything else.

I always ask them why they think that. Inevitably, the answer is the same. They looked at an executive’s profile and there wasn’t much content. Next, they explain that this must be the right way to do it. WHY?

Don’t copy the LinkedIn content of executives

It is easy to assume executives would have a handle on the best practices of LinkedIn, but generally, this is a wrong assumption!

The reality is many executives only have a LinkedIn profile because their company suggested everyone set up a profile. Or an associate asked for a LinkedIn recommendation, so the executive set up a profile to enable them to write the recommendation.

I work with top executives regularly who never gave much thought to the strategy of their LinkedIn profiles. Often when someone becomes my client, they have the bare minimum in their profile not because it is their strategy but because their LinkedIn profile wasn’t their priority.

However, once those same executives embrace the strategies I recommend, they find themselves learning more about how LinkedIn really works. Devoid of content, LinkedIn has little value. Once we complete a profile with robust content highlighting the value that the individual brings and coach them on how to showcase their specific talents with targeted content marketing strategies, they attract the right people to them.

Why shouldn’t you copy anyone’s LinkedIn content strategy?

Think about why someone used a specific strategy. Most of the time, you will find that they didn’t have a strategy at all. They put up a profile and always thought they would research best practices. But they never got around to enhancing their LinkedIn profile. It is often the same with updating a person’s resume. It is a low priority until they have a need for a new resume.

What should you do for your LinkedIn Profile?

Tell your story. If you have a dynamic resume that showcases your best accomplishments throughout your career, use the content.

Before you transfer all of it, evaluate the content to ensure that you are not sharing anything that is confidential or proprietary. This is a question I ask every client as I build their LinkedIn content with them. We don’t want to tell trade secrets or confidential information. However, demonstrating your value can be done in many ways without giving away secrets.

I always point out that if you are doing your job search right, you should be sharing your resume with a small number of people.

Your LinkedIn profile can be viewed by an audience of up to 875 million people. This is a large platform, and you can be sure that recruiters and hiring managers are constantly searching for specific talents and terms to meet the needs of open positions. Be an original, not a copy!

As I work with my clients, I ensure they have the right strategies for their specific job search. Learn how I can help you win your next role.