Building Professional Endorsements and Alliances

Lately, I’ve made it a daily habit to spend at least 5 minutes endorsing the skills of my clients and connections. It’s a small but meaningful way to show support, highlight their expertise, and strengthen our professional bonds. LinkedIn isn’t just a place to showcase your career. It’s a platform to uplift others. When we actively support one another, we all thrive. Endorsements are especially important for LinkedIn recruiters who rely on verified skills to find the right candidates for roles. When you endorse someone’s expertise, you’re not just helping them—you’re increasing their visibility to recruiters. 1 - Endorsing someone’s skills on LinkedIn takes 5 seconds. Think about that: 5 seconds to make someone’s profile shine brighter. 2 - If you’ve worked with someone, you know what they’re great at. Endorse those specific skills. 3 - Endorsements add credibility. It’s like saying, “Hey, I’ve seen this person in action, and they’re legit.” 4 - Recruiters actively search for candidates with specific skills. Your endorsement helps those skills stand out in their searches. 5 - To me, LinkedIn isn’t just a platform to highlight your career; it’s a space to uplift others. We all thrive when we actively support one another. 6 - Think about the skills you want endorsed. Your network can’t read your mind. Start endorsing others, and they might return the favor. 7 - Don’t sleep on “soft skills.” Teamwork, communication, leadership—these are just as impactful (sometimes more) as technical skills. 8 - Pay attention to people who endorse you back. It’s not a transaction, but those endorsements could be a signal for deeper collaboration opportunities. 9 - Endorsements are like compound interest. The more people validate your skills, the more likely recruiters and hiring managers will take you seriously. 10 - LinkedIn is a two-way street. Don’t just be a taker—be a giver. Building others up builds your professional community. Challenge: Spend 5 minutes today endorsing 5 people in your network. You’re not just helping them—you’re potentially connecting them to their next big opportunity. 🙌 #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalGrowth

Stop chasing the most senior person in the room 📢 Advocating for yourself is essential, but so is having people who champion you. A common mistake I see is professionals fixating on securing a senior executive as their mentor or sponsor, assuming that higher rank equals better support. But the reality is, that person might not be the right fit for you. Building a strong network of advocates requires intention and qualification. Instead of clinging to status, ask yourself: "What characteristics am I looking for in my network of advocates in this season of my career?" In chapter 8 of my book, Thrive in Color, I introduce three key types of advocates you should have in your corner: 👉🏽 Mentors – They share knowledge and lessons from their own experiences. You learn from them, but they’re not necessarily responsible for championing you. 👉🏽 Sponsors – They are your cheerleaders and champions. Sure, you will also learn from them, but their responsibility is to make sure your name is in conversations about promotions, high-visibility projects and growth opportunities. 👉🏽 Career Allies – Often overlooked, these are your peers (and even those junior to you) who can highlight your contributions, amplify your impact, and advocate for you in rooms you’re not in. When you have the right people advocating for you, career progression becomes much more seamless because you’re no longer carrying the load alone. What have you looked for in your network of advocates? 👇🏽 #CareerGrowth #Mentorship #Sponsorship #Networking #Leadership #ThriveInColor

The best promotions don't go to the most talented people. I’ve worked with thousands of professionals in my career. If there’s anything I’ve noticed after a decade in tech, it’s the fact that the promotions and high-visibility projects go to those with advocates. Here are the key reasons why advocates are essential for career growth (and some practical tips to gain and nurture them) 🔵 Advocates amplify your visibility. ↳ They talk about your achievements to others. This spreads your name and work beyond your immediate circle. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: If you’re a heads down person like me, it’s time to lift your head up to build relationships with colleagues and mentors who can vouch for your skills and contributions. 🔵 Advocates provide opportunities. ↳ They recommend you for projects and roles. This opens doors that you might not even know exist. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Show your value consistently so that advocates feel confident in recommending you. 🔵 Advocates build your credibility. ↳ They lend their reputation to yours. This enhances your professional standing and trustworthiness. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Maintain integrity and professionalism to ensure advocates are proud to support you. 🔵 Advocates ensure your efforts are recognized. ↳ They make sure your hard work is seen by decision-makers.This leads to promotions and career advancement. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Document your achievements and share them with your advocates regularly. Bonus: 🔵 Advocates help you build a network. ↳ They introduce you to influential people. This expands your professional connections and opportunities. 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Your network is one of the most valuable things you’ll take with you in your career. Don’t let these opportunities go to waste! Seize the opportunity to build strong advocates and supercharge your career in the final months of 2024. If you’re not sure where to find your first advocate, try building a good relationship with your manager. Here’s my FREE LinkedIn Learning Course that can help you turn your managers into your #1 advocates: https://lnkd.in/gPXXNckd 💬 What are your obstacles when it comes to finding advocates at work?

The Harsh Truth: Resumes Aren’t Enough Right Now With so many talented professionals getting laid off, breaking into clinical research, or even staying in, is no easy feat. Here’s what I’m seeing actually work: 1. Credible Endorsements Matter Reach out to people you’ve worked with and ask if they’d be willing to endorse your skills or leave a recommendation. In a sea of job seekers, credibility wins. A good word from someone respected in the industry? That travels. 2. Get Visible, Stay Relevant People landing jobs right now aren’t just applying and waiting. They’re posting insights, sharing tips, and showing their value in real-time. They're not waiting to be noticed, they're already in front of the people who might need them before roles are posted. 3. Leverage Word of Mouth Every contract I ever landed? It wasn’t from cold applying. It was from people I’d worked with before, who knew the industry pulse, and let me know about opportunities before they went public. You don’t always need more experience. You might just need more visibility, more credibility, and a tighter network. What’s worked for you lately?