Whether you’re a full-time employee or independent Salesforce expert, there’s never been a better time to be working in the Salesforce ecosystem. Talent demand has skyrocketed into the triple-digits, and according to IDC’s recent projections – $1.6 trillion in new business revenues worldwide by 2026 – you can feel very good about your career for the years to come.
It’s only February and 2022 is already proving to be another wild ride for Salesforce talent. Customers are hungry and not only that, qualified talent is in short supply. It’s a recipe that will bring clients and partners to your LinkedIn every week, eager to learn more about your skills and ready to offer lucrative opportunities.
Despite it being a candidate’s market, the old adage holds true – first impressions matter.
I look at scores of Salesforce LinkedIn profiles every day to source talent for the 10K Expert Community. Despite it being a candidate’s market, the old adage holds true – first impressions matter. How an expert communicates their Salesforce experience almost always determines whether I make contact to learn more.
You may not be interested in a new role or opportunity today, and that’s okay. This is a healthy reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, and your future self will thank you for taking an hour or less to get your LinkedIn ready. Here are a few ways to tighten up your Linkedin profile:
Create a compelling headline and summary
Your LinkedIn headline is a billboard for your brand as a Salesforce expert and quickly confirms what role you play in the Salesforce ecosystem. Your headline works two ways:
- Clients can quickly assess whether you’re a viable fit and conversation is worth pursuing
- You can ward off any off-target messages seeking preliminary information
A great headline is also something that will let potential clients know what you can do for them, for example, “Salesforce Solution Architect helping automate business processes.”
Make your headline concise and illustrative. Include “Salesforce,” your specific role, and a taste of your skillset focus. Here is an example from my profile:
The same rules apply to your LinkedIn summary, but here you have more room to stand out from other Salesforce talent. Include action phrasing, metrics that prove your effectiveness, keywords relevant to your skills and role, and goals for your career. It also helps to do a bit of competitive analysis. Search for other experts with the same role and note how they position their experience and skills.
Publish your most relevant experience
When a client lands on your LinkedIn they don’t always know exactly what skills they’re looking for. Make it easy for them to confirm your expertise with an up-to-date skills section. This should include your Salesforce industry-specific knowledge, tools and technologies, interpersonal skills, and anything else that conveys your Salesforce prowess. There is no small detail when it comes to adding your experience.
Clients are scouring through dozens of profiles at a fast pace, so relevance is key. Keep your experience current and delete anything that doesn’t align with your Salesforce career goals. This will help you not only avoid any irrelevant messages but also strengthen your brand as a Salesforce expert.
Don’t be afraid to use bullet points for the sake of your reader’s time – this is a simple way to keep your thoughts succinct while guiding the reader through essential details. Here is an example from my profile:
Solicit feedback from a critical eye
Once your profile has been spruced up, you’re ready to give it a careful review.
It’s somewhat tedious work, but this is time well spent. Your LinkedIn profile is a representation of you, and no matter what your role is it’s important to convey attention to detail. When it comes down to you and someone with similar expertise, the weaker profile is always the deal-breaker.
To make the review process as efficient as possible, break it down into two focus sessions – do one sweep for grammar and spelling and the other for messaging.
To make the review process as efficient as possible, break it down into two focus sessions – do one sweep for grammar and spelling and the other for messaging. A clear focus will give you more thinking room to detect edits and ensure your summary is telling the story you intended.
It’s also worth enlisting a trusted friend or colleague to review your profile. Bonus points if they’re also a Salesforce expert or someone who understands the context of your role in the Salesforce ecosystem. Point to what kind of feedback you’re looking for, especially any areas you’re struggling with. Being vulnerable isn’t fun, but asking for feedback will only make your LinkedIn profile stronger.
Include a headshot
LinkedIn is social media, but don’t overlook the importance of keeping it professional. Having a profile picture is key to giving life to your personal brand, but it also needs to be something you’d be comfortable publishing on a corporate website.
If you’re looking for peers to lean on and learn from, apply to join the 10K Expert Community. We are always accepting applications.
