For the aspiring entrepreneur or the zealous artist, a digital profile has become more important than ever before. AMAKA spoke to Dr. Glory Edozien, a LinkedIn and personal brand coach, who shares insights on how to stand out and excel on the global platform.

 In September 2021, Ghanaian-American director and photographer, Joshua Kissi took to LinkedIn and Twitter to post a few words that would unknowingly disrupt LinkedIn and change how creatives used the platform. A space once believed to be limited to corporate executives and tech innovators, is in fact a platform for any current or potential working member of society. With Dr. Glory Edozien’s help, AMAKA plans to empower you with the tools you need to dominate on LinkedIn, a platform primarily used for professional networking and career development. With a doctorate from The University of Reading, Edozien is a coach who helps mid–to-senior level career women gain visibility on LinkedIn, so they can receive the recognition they deserve, access exceptional career opportunities and position themselves as sought-after experts and thought leaders in their respective fields.

AMAKA: How valuable is LinkedIn for someone working on the African continent?

Glory Edozien: I would say that it’s super valuable. LinkedIn connects us to the world. Visibility is important to me because I wonder where I can find books about professional African workplaces, and thought leaders because we have our own distinctive narrative. I feel it’s important for us to bring an African voice to corporate conversations. There are many Africans who have been involved with work-like infrastructural development on the continent and so many other important things that are happening professionally in Africa. LinkedIn gives a platform to add our voice in global conversations across various industries in the world. It also helps democratise thought leadership. LinkedIn gives a space to share specific content and provides opportunities for cross-continental collaboration. The platform is not a place for downward communication but rather a space for employees to communicate.

What changes have you seen on LinkedIn as a result of the pandemic?

The content became more human-focused. The pandemic hit the world differently at different times. I began seeing more posts about how to work from home and sharing jokes about taking care of children while working at home.

I remember in March 2020, around the time of my birthday I was still posting a lot of celebratory content and a connection of mine in Europe said she did not feel it was “keeping with the time.” That feedback taught me that when interacting with a global audience you can't only think about your own space. I was very thankful for that feedback. 

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How can you achieve better opportunities on LinkedIn?

1) Make sure you have a great profile by showcasing your work.

2) Use keywords and ensure that you use words that reflect your line of work.

3) Add examples of your work on your profile.

4) Build a network for potential collaboration by connecting with people that are doing what you are doing or work you are interested in.

5) Create content that caters to your audience.

Imagine for a second that LinkedIn is an onion. The more layers you peel, the closer you get to the center. Same way with LinkedIn, if you have the right first-level connection, then the second and third become even more relevant.

How can you build a profile if you do not have a portfolio?

You never create a LinkedIn profile for the job you have, you create it for the job or the opportunity you want. It’s important for LinkedIn to be used as a resource not a resume.

I had a cousin who was in accounting and is now trying to transition into supply chain management (SCM). I told her to think about the transferable skills that are useful in SCM. That requires doing research to find the similarities and the gaps. If you are trying to make a shift in your career, focus on the skills that are transferable but also look at people who are doing what you want to do. Find out how they are phrasing their skills and accomplishments, and mirror that but obviously without lying.

How can you make your LinkedIn profile more inviting?

Some profiles on LinkedIn follow a very generic format that does not stand out. 

Two things you can do to make your profile more engaging:

1) Storytelling: Talk about yourself in a way that is engaging and relatable for readers.

2) Imagine if someone asks you about your career: What would you want them to know, and more importantly, what information would be valuable to them?

What is a healthy and organic approach to build connections on LinkedIn?

It’s important to show some level of professional etiquette on LinkedIn. The first thing I tell people is to build the bridge before you need it. If you are seriously considering a transition in say, six months then start building those connections immediately and not waiting till it’s crunchtime. 

Let’s assume you take that advice and apply it to my cousin’s example, you have to start thinking about your goal and what you want to achieve and who are the people who can help you do that. 

1) When forming a new connection, send a personalised note and let them know why you want to connect. You wouldn’t walk up to someone and immediately shake their hand, you would first introduce yourself.

2) If people make posts asking for information or are scouting out a particular person for a job or opportunity, comment under the post with useful information. 

3) When reaching out to someone, never make your request too long and phrase it in a way that doesn’t require the person on the other end to think too much, making it that much easier for them to reply. 

4) You should be able to state who you are and what you do, succinctly.

ExampleHello, my name is Glory Edozien and I have been working in accounting and would like to make a transition into supply chain management. I would be interested in connecting with you.

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