While having a polished profile is essential, LinkedIn’s algorithm heavily favors users who consistently engage with the platform. Being active on the site reinforces your brand and offers your audience proof of what you are communicating in the ‘About’ section. Without posting and engaging in content on LinkedIn, your profile sits unnoticed similar to an unlit lighthouse – unable to guide or attract attention. Just as a lighthouse needs its beacon to fulfill its purpose, your LinkedIn profile needs regular activity to shine and serve as a professional guidepost. By sharing valuable insights, engaging with others’ content, and maintaining an active presence, you transform your profile from a static structure into a powerful signal that draws opportunities and connections to your shore.
Common Mistakes That Keep Your Lighthouse Dark
Before you climb the stairs to visibility, let’s address some common pitfalls that can dim your professional beacon:
- Treating LinkedIn like other social media platforms with casual, personal content
- Engaging in “drive-by” commenting without adding value (“Great post!”)
- Posting in sporadic bursts followed by long periods of silence
- Sharing content without adding your own perspective or insights
- Only becoming active when actively job searching
Five Stairsteps to Your Lighthouse
Deciding what to share on LinkedIn among countless possibilities can paralyze even seasoned professionals. The key is to start simple and build from there. Think of your participation as steps up to the lighthouse entrance. Step by step, you can keep your beacon shining bright.
Stairstep 1: Offer your view on a thought-provoking industry article, book, or podcast episode, ending with a question or reflection. Get inspired by setting up and receiving daily Google Alerts for fresh, relevant content in your field. Sharing your perspective on industry content demonstrates intellectual engagement with your field and provides evidence of continuous learning and professional development.
Stairstep 2: Share your job search journey, lessons learned, and helpful tips. For example, Sarah Chen, a project manager in tech, gained traction by sharing weekly insights about her career transition from healthcare to tech. She documented specific challenges she overcame, shared resources she found valuable, and offered advice to others making similar transitions. Her authentic posts about upskilling, informational interviews, and industry research resonated with both job seekers and hiring managers. Within three months, her consistent sharing led to multiple informational interviews and eventually a role at her target company through a connection who had been following her journey.
Stairstep 3: Describe how your personal brand plays out in real life. Sharing content that you are passionate about, along with your perspective, helps define your professional identity. This authenticity makes your profile more compelling and memorable to employers and recruiters. Here are a couple of examples of how this might play out:
- If you stated you are a thought leader in CX across digital platforms, share your knowledge about the subject and how it is currently being applied.
- If you stated that you are a servant-leader focused on the well-being of the people and communities you belong, then post about volunteering to support your community.
Stairstep 4: Comment and share posts of network connections, target professionals in your field and industry influencers. Share content that excites you and your take on why. Every thoughtful comment and industry insight you share signals to employers that you’re not just looking for a job – you’re a professional who lives and breathes your field. Perhaps most importantly, it creates organic networking opportunities. When you spark discussions through thoughtful questions or reflections, you open doors for meaningful conversations with industry professionals. These interactions can lead to informational interviews, mentoring relationships, or even job referrals.
Stairstep 5: Commit to consistent, meaningful engagement. Make LinkedIn a natural part of your daily or weekly professional routine, focusing on quality interactions that demonstrate your expertise and interest in your field. Think “little and often” versus sporadic bursts of activity – perhaps commenting on two or three relevant posts daily/weekly with substantive insights or sharing one piece of industry content with your perspective. Build genuine conversations by following up on comments and asking probing questions, rather than leaving superficial “drive-by” comments like “Great post!” PRO TIP: Schedule your posts for maximum impact: Morning Golden Hours: 8-10 AM Lunch Rush: 12-2 PM Evening Sweet Spot: 6-8 PM
Your 30-Day Lighthouse Challenge
Don’t let your professional beacon remain unlit. Choose one stairstep from above and commit to it for the next 30 days. Start small – perhaps sharing one thoughtful industry insight per week or commenting meaningfully on three posts from industry leaders. Track your engagement and connections. Remember, consistent small actions create a brighter signal than sporadic bursts of activity. Your future opportunities await – it’s time to light your lighthouse.