So you’re an unknown quantity… let’s fix that.

Most jobs these days are advertised, yet hiring managers don’t like betting their budget on an untested newbie.

They’d rather pick someone they already know (or have heard about in the lunchroom) if they can.

So, how do you become a “known” person for the role you want?

That’s exactly where we left off last week.

Allow me to roll my eyes dramatically as I repeat a simple but shockingly underused tip: create a target list.

Yes, an actual list.

For those playing along at home, this is the first step on what to do with the list once you create it – Target LinkedIn URL.

Now, before you start grumbling, you can absolutely rope in AI to do a good chunk of your detective work—like ChatGPT. Of course, Seek is still floating around if you fancy your job ads old-school.

But let’s say you’re feeling fancy and want to use ChatGPT.

Here’s a cheeky prompt inspired by a real-life client of mine (who’ll remain nameless to protect the guilty):

“Create a list of 10 large enterprises/companies in the private sector, mining, industrial, government, or state-owned enterprises with social value or ESG. Preferably those located in Western Australia. Ideally, organisations that have a social value framework, programmes, community sponsorships, and educational outreach efforts.”

It’s a mouthful, I know.

But give it a whirl.

You’re basically zeroing in on the type of company, the location, and the special reason they make your heart flutter.

Not every name that pops up will speak to you—some will be as exciting as watching paint dry.

The ones that do grab you? Bingo!

That’s where LinkedIn (or the all-knowing Perplexity) comes in.

You can even nudge Perplexity with the following: “What LinkedIn Groups might I join to stalk—er, I mean—connect with people who work for these companies?” or “Which off-LinkedIn professional associations should I bother with to rub elbows with them?”

Because when it comes right down to it, your mission (should you choose to accept) is to figure out who you need to meet.

LinkedIn is gold for that.

Hunt down 1st, 2nd, or (brace yourself) 3rd-degree connections in those companies and zero in on the people doing exactly what you want to do or who work where you want to work.

Next week, I’ll dish out some tips on tech tools that’ll help you do deeper intel on those poor souls you want to ambush—er, connect with.

~Lisa

Your Q&A

Boardrooms & Bowls: Can One LinkedIn Handle Both?

Hi Lisa,

I am an executive in the technology industry, and I’m updating my LinkedIn profile. My career has been solid, consistent and always moving up the ladder. However, I founded a sound healing business this year, and I want to include this as a position on my profile. It would go just below my current executive role.

Ideally, I want to be seen as an industry thought leader in UX design, BUT I also want to promote this newfound passion business. How do I do this though?

Thanks,

Robin

​

Hi Robin,

I get it—who wouldn’t want to showcase their ultra-impressive corporate ladder climb and their healing guru side gig all in one pretty LinkedIn profile?

But let’s channel our inner bluntness and call it like it is: When you’re gunning for high-level tech roles, potential employers may not be thrilled to see “Sound Healer Extraordinaire” elbowing for space right under your Executive title.

It’s basically the corporate version of trying to ride two horses with one backside—and that rarely ends well, no matter how nicely you dress it up in your headline.

So, if this LinkedIn refresh is all about landing a new, fancy-pants role, do yourself a favor: wait until that’s locked and loaded.

Otherwise, you risk watering down your professional brand.

The quick fix if you’re absolutely determined to wear both hats at once?

Pop your sound healing business into the “Projects” section—quietly, for now—until you figure out where you really want to focus your big spotlight.

And while we’re at it, LinkedIn might not exactly be the spiritual home for this new business.

Sure, it’s a great platform for sharing “industry thought leadership” and chest-thumping about your achievements, but your audience for sound healing is likely hanging out somewhere.

Thanks for Reading

~Lisa​