No executive recruiter can not have a profile on LinkedIn. The social network has become a powerful meeting place for the business and professional world, and therefore, it provides massive opportunities for those who know how to wield its potential.
Expanding in global markets is a tall order, but not mission impossible. Businesses are managed by people and people engage with like-minded people. By creating a LinkedIn profile that demonstrates an appreciation of cross-cultural diversities, it indicates a commitment to cultural diversity goals in the workforce for global clients. If the right people are visiting your profile, there is a high probability that they would be keen to make a connection.
Here are 3 simple, easy-to-implement tips to get your LinkedIn profile breaking down those cultural barriers, and supporting your global expansion goals.
3 Tips to an Intercultural LinkedIn Profile
1. Correct name pronunciation
When I was an executive recruiter, I use to struggle with introducing myself. It was a challenge for candidates to get my name right in the first instance,
and so on every new call I had to add the line, ‘please feel free to call me Dez’. LinkedIn has solved this problem, by introducing a feature that allows
LinkedIn members to record their name pronunciation and display it on their LinkedIn profile for others to listen to.
Currently, this feature can be accessed through the LinkedIn mobile app.
Here’s the steps you can follow:
Tap your profile picture in the top left corner to view Profile.
Tap the Edit icon on the right under the banner section.
Tap Record name pronunciation. Make sure you’re in a quiet place. Say your name slow and clear.
In my recording, I also offer my short name just in case.
If you’ve already recorded your name, you can tap the Edit icon to delete or replace the existing recording.
Tap the recording button and hold to record your name.
Note: You can also cancel or preview the recording.
Tap the Use button when you’re satisfied with your recording.
Note: You can also Retake the recording.
Tap Save.
Using this feature helps culturally-diverse audiences to get your name pronunciation correctly, thus, allowing them to confidently initiate conversations or even avoid unpleasantries caused by mispronunciations.
2. About Section should be about Them
The about section tends to be about the recruiter, self-trumpeting their qualifications, years of experiences in the industry and so on. While this is notable information, it may not be the first thing a prospect wants to know about you. In fact, there is a separate section to mention your academic achievements.
They are interested to know if you can solve their problems. A great way of demonstrating your problem-solving capabilities is by highlighting the times that you have successfully brought solutions to past and current clients. Prospects want to know about your success with finding diverse candidates, and what levels have your placed in the past.
You can spotlight on cultural activities you’ve pursued. For example, celebrating Diwali on a trip to India, and pictures can be added too to share the experience.
However, be mindful about what information you disclose (specifically about revenue numbers and client details), and therefore first check with your management to avoid confidentiality conflicts.
3. Featured Section with Company Insights
The featured section right after the About section provides an opportunity to link documents, articles, links that showcases your expertise. The following are a few ideas to help you get started:
1. Self-authored blog posts: If you have contributed to your company’s blog sections, this is a great place to link those articles. Global business leaders are interested to partner with consultants who can demonstrate industry expertise as well as locale intelligence of your key markets.
2. Company Resource articles: If you haven’t written any blog posts yet, you can select market-relevant case studies, research papers etc. currently available on your company’s website, that is bound to peak interest for your global audiences.
3. Insightful LinkedIn articles and posts – If you have created long-form content articles and opinion pieces directly on LinkedIn, place those links here. The information, however, should be relevant to your audience. The articles should also include your contact information or an invitation to connect with you to exchange further insights on the topic.
If you are looking for more ways to create an intercultural linkedIn profile, we have created the 2021 Global Ready websites report that includes a detailed checklist to help executive search firms demonstrate high levels of intercultural competencies from their LinkedIn social profiles to their company websites to help them establish or expand their global footprint.
