Leader Series Program workshop with Paula Rogers

In May, we hosted a workshop led by the WA State Director of CEDA, Paula Rogers.  She has vast experience in networking and communication.  These ‘soft’ skills are incredibly important in today’s world of work. Check out some of the highlights…

As part of the Leader Series Program, the UWA Fogarty Scholars got some valuable insights about ‘Personal Branding’ from Paula Rogers at a recent workshop.  Paula is the CEDA WA State Director and has considerable experience in marketing, communication and creating effective networks.

As identified by the scholars, here are Paula’s top 5 tips on creating a LinkedIn profile that aids the development of your personal brand and other networking advice.

1) Profile – It’s better to have no profile than one which is unprofessional or one that doesn’t do you justice.

2) Photo – It is important to remember that LinkedIn is a professional networking website and many people will base their first impression of you on that photo. With this being said, Paula suggests that when you choose your photo you should ask friends or family what picture they prefer and why, so you can better understand what your picture is saying about you!

3) Summary – The summary section in your LinkedIn profile is where you can summarize who you are, what you do, what you’re passionate about, what drives you and so on. Although many people on LinkedIn write their summaries in third person, Paula suggests that it is better to have your summary in first person.

4) Stay Active – Remember to keep your profile active and hence if you read an interesting article, feel free to share it on your LinkedIn profile. Note: Articles you share will be seen by others viewing your profile and hence you should consider if sharing said article will impact your image.

5) Networking – Don’t be afraid to message people you haven’t met before to ask them to talk or grab a coffee. As NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky wisely said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” and hence you having nothing to lose by sending a message to someone you might be inspired to work with or learn from.