How to Market Yourself Selectively

Finding Your Dream Job in Current LinkedIn Job Listings

Marketing yourself selectively on LinkedIn is as easy as 1-2-3. All the data needed to unlock your next great career adventure exists right there in current job listings. And, it has nothing to do with filling out online applications.

STEP 1:We dream with purpose and formulate a SMART action plan. Once clearly define goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound, marketing selectively becomes far easier.

Let’s say a SMART action plan calls for a mid-senior PR role with public-facing responsibilities in the Houston market in the energy sector.

Upon hitting the LinkedIn search bar, returns largely include the words “marketing,” “community relations,” and “campaign” in the job titles.

Dismiss those, right? Not so fast. Look beyond the titles and focus on the responsibilities, desired background, and soft skills, like leadership experience.

STEP 2: Reverse engineer the job search. Searching for mid-senior PR roles turned up this “community relations manager” role. So let’s find out why in the first bullet:

• Formulates and executes a proactive community engagement strategy and engages both internal and external stakeholders via various communication platforms in support of the Company’s goals and its stakeholder relationships.

Sure sounds like a mid-senior PR role. Recruiters and hiring managers may not have control over how roles are titled or listed, though there will be keyword similarities.

From that role listing, the common keywords were “community,” “community relations,” “community engagement,” “engages,” “stakeholders” and “stakeholder relationships.” If that sounds like the dream job, time to match the LinkedIn headline.

Focus on the experience level, job role, and sector to signal the proper inquiries:

• Mid-Senior | Stakeholder Management | Energy

From there, LinkedIn bio keywords naturally fall into place:

Matty Warren is the Manager of Stakeholder Management responsible for stakeholder engagement, special events, and strategic communications for Marks Energy. She brings over 10 years of award-winning marketing, community engagement, and public relations expertise in the energy sector.

STEP 3: Once the LinkedIn profile and dream job match, follow through on the “T” in the SMART action plan and take a time-bound step forward. Message any common connections about the role, culture, work-life balance, and benefits. If answers sound good, ask more about the position and advice for getting a resume to the right folks.

Make regular rounds to a network of recruiters, hiring managers, companies of interest, and industry colleagues. Keep your name top of mind, request meaningful LinkedIn connections, make sure they know what you want and how they can help.

My final bit of advice: do not settle. Recruiters will come calling with pretty enticing offers. Compromise on roles and responsibilities where you can, but never take a job that gives you Sunday Scaries every day. Stick with what makes you happiest. Market yourself selectively and you’ll find greater career success in the long run.