EFMD Webinar Masterclass On “LinkedIn Makeover” With Dr. Amber Wigmore Alvarez

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On the 10^th of January 2021, EFMD Global Career services offered a Highered webinar masterclass on  “LinkedIn Makeover” with Dr. Amber Wigmore Alvarez, Chief Innovation Officer of Highered. Through the webinar, Dr. Alvarez answered questions from some of the participants and gave invaluable advice on making LinkedIn more appealing and professional.

As a start, Dr. Alvarez recommended users change the domain name. Some numbers and letters will appear if it hasn't been changed, and she recommends users change it with their first or last name. If they’re already taken, Dr. Alvarez recommends using the second or married name or even academic credentials like MBA or Ph.D. She also strongly advises users to include their photo as it increases the chances of being seen or found by up to 7 times. It is also recommended to make the profile visible to the public.

As for the tagline-if the current employment position name is too long; it’s advised to simplify or shorten it. If you're looking for a job, it's best to put it in summary rather than the tagline. When it comes to the summary, it doesn't have to be exactly the same as you would write in a CV; instead, you should use every character available to offer an in-depth summary of yourself.

To stand out from the rest, Dr. Alvarez states that the best way is to connect with people who studied in the same institution as you and currently work in your target organization. She also recommends users update their profiles frequently and input more information in the experience section.

According to Dr. Alvarez, LinkedIn learning certificates are a good supplement but aren't as relevant as those acquired through academic institutions. As for languages, Dr. Alvarez recommends users mention them on their profiles as long as they have a basic grasp of them. Language is especially useful when looking for a geographical career change. For skills and endorsements, she recommends reaching out to people who can vouch for those skills.

Dr. Alvarez states that the best way to expand one's network is through their alma mater as there's a higher chance to be accepted as a connection. While applying through LinkedIn, she recommends having as many connections as possible from the target organization. To increase the traffic to one's profile, Dr. Alvarez advises users to attend networking events, conferences, and summits and connecting with people that they've met the very next day. As for activities and posting, Alvarez recommends users be professional and avoid controversial content, political and religious affiliations.

As a final comment, Dr. Alvarez remarked that “if you’re not on LinkedIn, you don't exist." She encouraged the participants to have a strong and continuously updated LinkedIn profile.