{"id":11192,"date":"2023-05-14T09:45:12","date_gmt":"2023-05-14T09:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessharbour.ch\/?p=11192"},"modified":"2023-07-27T14:05:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T14:05:16","slug":"using-a-payrolling-company-to-secure-a-job-in-switzerland-as-an-expat-spouse-a-comprehensive-guide-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebusinessharbour.ch\/en\/using-a-payrolling-company-to-secure-a-job-in-switzerland-as-an-expat-spouse-a-comprehensive-guide-2","title":{"rendered":"LinkedIn for consultants: can you afford not to be there?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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LinkedIn is still relatively underused in Switzerland.  Independent consultants need to take another look at the world\u2019s No. 1 business network.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

LinkedIn has become an essential tool for professionals all around the world. With over 760 million users globally, it is the go-to platform for job seekers, recruiters, and businesses looking to expand their network. In Switzerland, LinkedIn had more than 3.5 million users as of 2022 and, according to Statista*, the market will grow by 19% to reach 4.2 million users by 2028.  It\u2019s time to get in on the act.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tFreelancers and consultants who don\u2019t have a strong presence on LinkedIn are missing out on valuable opportunities to network, learn from others, and showcase their expertise to potential clients \u2013 Werner Vogels, CTO of Amazon\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A recent article published in Bilan<\/a>\u00a0argued the case that, unlike markets such as France, the UK and the US, there is still room for professionals to be active on the platform and be heard. \u00a0Why is this? It comes down to the fact that Swiss people are not as keen to \u201cblow their trumpets\u201d and put themselves forward in public as other nations.\u00a0 This has resulted in professionals having profiles on LinkedIn but, in reality, interacting very rarely and, even then, only with their own circle of connections.\u00a0 This reduces LinkedIn to a kind of serious Facebook and no more.<\/p>

We are not suggesting that Swiss professionals should join the trend that has emerged since the pandemic, of people becoming very introspective and posting about their views on the meaning of life.\u00a0 This would miss the point of LinkedIn as it really is the world\u2019s premier recruiting site and, if you are working as an independent consultant, this is even more crucial to you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Let\u2019s remind ourselves of LinkedIn\u2019s mission:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Professional networking:\u00a0<\/strong>LinkedIn is a platform designed for professionals to connect with each other. As an independent consultant or freelancer, having a strong network of connections can help you find new clients and partnerships, and stay up to date on industry news and trends. What counts here is how you present yourself (professional profile photo, updated CV, more on that later).\u00a0 It\u2019s not Facebook.\u00a0 Don\u2019t post pictures or comments that \u201cyou would not want your boss to see \u201c should be a mantra. Do set aside time to read and respond to connections or companies in industries you want to cultivate.\u00a0 Engage back with people who engage on your posts and leave comments.<\/p>

Building and maintaining\u00a0 your personal brand:<\/strong>\u00a0as an independent consultant, this may be the most important reason to be on the platform.\u00a0 Your LinkedIn presence is your physical \u201cshop window\u201d that displays your skills, experience, and achievements. The first thing people see when they encounter you on LinkedIn is your profile so get yourself a professional headshot, a descriptive headline that highlights your specialty or service and a summary that tells your story. Use keywords (for SEO), relevant to your industry and target audience.\u00a0<\/p>

Post updates, write articles and even share slides and videos of any speaking or lecturing activities you have undertaken, that offer your authentic insights related to your industry or area of expertise, which can help establish you as a thought leader and a \u201ctrusted\u201d source.\u00a0 All this effort helps you to cross-promote your services and keep you in the mind of prospective employers looking to hire freelancers. \u00a0<\/p>

Referrals and recommendations:\u00a0<\/strong>the jury is definitely out on this, but we feel that LinkedIn endorsements is just another way to engage positively on the platform and build credibility.\u00a0\u00a0 Do request endorsements and recommendations from colleagues and clients and offer them up spontaneously to those connections you follow and admire.<\/p>

Learning opportunities:\u00a0<\/strong>As an independent consultant, you may not have access to the usual array of learning resources that are available to enterprise employees.\u00a0 You need to continue to stay relevant in your domain so take advantage of LinkedIn Learning which offers a wide range of educational resources, including courses, articles, and videos.\u00a0 Classes are taught by industry experts, and some are offered for free. By engaging with these resources and participating in relevant groups and discussions, you can continue to grow and improve as a professional.<\/p>

LinkedIn groups:<\/strong>\u00a0many see joining one or more of LinkedIn\u2019s more than 3400 groups as a bonus of being active on the platform.\u00a0 Closed or public, the aim of these groups is to foster the power of communities where industry specialists discuss the latest developments in certain industries, share valuable content, ask questions, and engage with one another.\u00a0 It\u2019s another way to increase your personal brand credibility.\u00a0 In reality, many of these groups have few members and are practically dormant so it\u2019s important to join those which are the most relevant and have constant updates, where any interaction you may have will be valuable.<\/p>

Free or Premium membership?<\/strong><\/p>

It costs nothing to join and use LinkedIn and, for most professionals, this free version is sufficient.\u00a0 However, if you are building your career as an independent consultant, you may want to consider having a paying plan as part of the tools of your trade.\u00a0 If we consider LinkedIn Premium, what extras are on offer?<\/p>