Dear Reader,
Can writing on LinkedIn actually help your job search?
It’s a question that’s on the minds of many of the PhDs I work with.
Recently, I attended a workshop led by Julia Gray, PhD, who teaches academics how to write like humans.
And I was struck by her approach.
Not because I don’t know how to write online.
(I started blogging literally twenty years ago, and haven’t stopped writing on the internet since then, for better or worse!)
But because this is exactly where many of my clients get stuck.
They’re thoughtful writers. Nuanced. Careful.
And then they go to write something on LinkedIn…
…and it doesn’t land.
No engagement. No connection. No response.
Cue: “That didn’t work at all, Jen.”
And they aren’t wrong.
Here’s the key idea Julia and I discussed:
Writing online isn’t just about getting your ideas out.
It’s about being in conversation with other people.
And that’s where things start to break down.
Because if you’re not clear on:
- what you actually want to say
- who you’re trying to reach
- what kind of work you’re moving toward
…it’s very hard to write something that connects.
This is why I don’t start with LinkedIn posts or resumes when I work with clients.
We start with clarity.
(You’ve heard me say this before.)
If you want to watch the full conversation with Julia, you can do that here:
“Public Writing for Academics: How to Sound Like a Human Online | A conversation with Julia Gray, PhD“
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And if you’re reading this thinking:
“Yeah… I’ve tried writing, networking, applying, but nothing is really clicking,” then it might be time to get help. Enter the PhD Career Clarity Program.
Let’s chat about it: Book a private tour with me.
No pressure, but a chance to talk about where you’re at and what will help you move forward.
So you can reach your goals (get a great job, as defined by you) faster and easier than you will on your own.
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And if nothing else, I’d love to hear from you:
Has writing (on LinkedIn or elsewhere) helped your job search? If so, how? If not, what did you hope for?
Jen
P.S. Want to explore working with me in other ways? Visit my Services page to learn about options, or reply to this email and let me know what you want my help with!
Jennifer Polk, PhD
Free Webinar Job search advice for professors, postdocs, and other PhDs ready to leave academia
