Executive Digital Networking: How C-Suite Executives and Board Directors Can Build Networking Relationships on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an incredible tool for CEOs, COOs, CDOs, CFOs, CMOs, CIOs, CTOs, and other CXO executives undertaking a job transition. It has become more than just another social networking site, providing extensive reach, passive access to your most significant accomplishments and career highlights, and—most importantly—endless executive digital networking opportunities. With 830M+ users worldwide, you can’t afford to ignore this platform.

Whether you’re searching for your next executive position or your next board seat, you need to brand and market yourself. Use your LinkedIn profile and online presence to align yourself with your target roles and board functions, establish and convey your expertise, and confidently represent yourself to viable employers/boards.

Once you’ve created your online profile and uploaded your professional headshot, it’s time to think about how you will choose and build your network. Here’s where to start.

4 Ways to Use LinkedIn in Your Executive Digital Networking Strategy

Find recruiters to connect with on LinkedIn. Finding recruiters is as easy as typing “recruiters” into the search bar at the top of your LinkedIn feed. Some other relevant searches include talent acquisition, senior executive recruiter, and hiring manager. Use the filters to search by title, industry, or location to find professionals with whom you may want to connect.
Follow your ideal employers. Make a list of companies you would be interested in working with and look them up on LinkedIn. Follow them and interact with their posts and updates in your newsfeed. Look through their list of current employees for potential connections.
Join relevant LinkedIn groups. Joining a LinkedIn group gives you access to direct message any of the members, regardless of their degree level in your network. As you establish your expertise by engaging with the group’s activity, keep an eye out for other frequent contributors you may want to connect with, such as other CXO executives,digital board directors, presidents, SVPs, human resources representatives, and recruiters.
Look up fellow alums from your Alma Mater. Having something in common with your target connection can make the initial introduction easier, and where better to start than the school you both attended? Find people who graduated from the same program you took and start a conversation. Consider people who graduated the same year or a few years on either side of you.

To find out how we can help you step into the world of executive digital networking, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.

Mary Elizabeth Bradford is the Founder and Executive Director of CEOresumewriter.com and Maryelizabethbradford.com and a past executive recruiter. A thought leader in the career services industry for over 20 years, she holds 5 distinct advanced certifications for senior-level resume writing, online branding and executive-level job search coaching (CERM, CMRW, CARW, MCD, NCOPE). She has been seen and heard in major media including Forbes, Time, WSJ, Newsweek and NBC affiliate stations. She holds 2 CDI TORI awards and is a top tier judge for the elite CDI TORI awards for four consecutive years. Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s elite team of award-winning, certified, top executive resume writers, former top executive recruiters, and global HR executives help many of the world’s premier C-suite, board members and thought leaders secure the transitions and compensation packages they want. She works with clients all over the globe.