Should I put “Incoming Investment Banking Summer Analyst @ JPMorgan Sachs” on my LinkedIn? We see these posts on here get blasted pretty often. We all know IB is a competitive industry to break into – and people offer conflicting advice. You want to conform the old fashioned nature of the industry, but at the same time, you want to stand out.
The career experts from this article offer some advice. They say you should always stand out, and one of the ways to do so is to change your headline to something unique such as Speed Reader, Visionary Talent Leader, etc.
I admit, when I see a linkedin profile and the picture looks like a student and I see their headline is something like “Empowering Leader” or “Passionate Leader” I'm more likely to click it to see just how special this person is. After all, they just declared themselves to be leaders.
What do you guys think on this subject – if you’re networking and you see someone is a “Leader” or “Aspiring X” or whatever they are, do you think wow this guy must be ambitious, or wow this guy is a tool? Or does it all depend on what they’ve actually achieved? Should students and professionals play it safe or should they try for that eye-catching wow factor?
TBH when I see: "Thought Leader | Innovator | Influencer" on someone's profile, it makes me want to steer clear of the person.
agree 100%
Totally agree, and especially if they are fresh out of college
Don't forget entrepreneur! Apparently, today you can be an entrepreneur without starting a company.
YES to this. Literally means nothing and everything at the same time.
I always think of people who do this as tools. Let your accomplishments and achievements speak for themselves. There's no need to resort to corny advertising tactics to promote yourself lol. The link isn't working, btw.
Yeah that's typically my train of thought too. Unless I view their profile and they really are something special, then I can't say anything. Thanks for the heads up - link fixed!
This. Actions speak louder than words.
unless you're in digital marketing and trying to showcase your prowess, keep it simple. definitely fill out the sections (volunteer work, experience, education, organizations), but having a complete linkedin profile is like clean sheets in a hotel, it's expected.
you don't get jobs because you have an impressive linkedin profile, you just simply don't get dinged. you have asymmetrical risk here: if you have one of these "empassioned finance student excited about the next adventure into investment banking" type profiles, you either get labeled a douche, or get a non-reaction. keep it simple, keep it professional, and focus on wowing people face to face, not over the internet.
This doesn't apply to every author, but I've noticed a pattern with articles (like the aforementioned) that I would like to share.
I want to point out that the individuals who are spending time writing articles on how to "brand yourself," "Workplace productivity," or "Professional Advice"... are often freelance writers, bloggers, or "associate" publishers who simply lack the professional experience to offer advice to those in notable black and white fields (like finance and beyond).
To reference your article, I looked up the authors Linkedin page. He is a past Blogger, Blog Editor, Digital production coordinator, and Digital Production Associate who studied English Lit at "possibly" a top 100 University. Not to overly bury the man, but what professional branding knowledge is he going to possess for Finance or beyond (even general corporate)? Furthermore, why couldn't he land a job at a notable publication (WSJ, NY Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune)?
Everyone treats online articles like the gospel, when they were written by some schmuck (like myself) squirting their unwanted advice all over the internet.
Granted, if I wanted to publish an opinion piece for the Huffington Post I might grab coffee with the man...
Pretty much 100% of the time if you're in/looking to get into finance, your headline should be your current job position or "Student at XYZ University." If you do otherwise and are "Aspiring Business Leader", assumption is 1) you don't have a job, 2) you don't go to school, 3) you don't have any mentors in the industry to tell you not to do that.
Stand out with your experiences. Investment Banking Analyst at JPM or Student at Princeton University stand out a heck of a lot better than those other flowery titles. I'll click on "Empowering Leader" profiles, not because I think I'll see a special person worth hiring, but because I'll see the profile a special person...and feel better about myself comparatively. Even better when there's a super desperate-sounding mission statement. In my opinion, Linkedin should be an online resume without the need for carefully crafted bullet points/formatting one page.
Incoming Summer Analyst / Intern is a bit funny and used to think it to be obnoxious, but it's becoming very commonplace now. Find it helpful to keep track of where younger peers from school are headed. Also hear that some banks are encouraging/telling incoming interns to do that for more brand awareness (GS).
I've got a family member who actually has some pretty great accomplishments, student athlete in both high school and college, a great internships, lots of leadership experience and a job offer working in finance at a F500 starting next month. And they opt to use one of those "Speed Reader, Visionary Talent Leader" type titles on Linkedin. I don't understand it.
When a resume speaks for itself a person may take more liberties with a tag line. People may click on them to get a laugh because they appear "special", only to be surprised to find out they are special. This may work to this person's favor...or not. In a very competitive field you can end up looking a bit douchey and have to overcome this bump after getting an interview.
I am of the mentality that LinkedIn is professional only. Why give a flavor to your resume that may not be liked by a future employer? Allow them to dislike you in an interview because they simply don't like you, because you're not a good fit, not because they don't like the idea of you.
It's the most cringe worthy thing I've seen, I laugh so much when I see it and it's very prevalent atm. I mean congrats you've got a summer internship is one that insecure that they fell the need to tell everyone 5 months in advance? I can't see any benefits to it only making yourself look like some cheese ball.
You're just jealous, because you're too insecure to tell everyone that you're an Aspiring Incoming Berkshire Hathaway Chairman (oh wait, that's me). Being an Incoming Summer Analyst, Class of 2021 at J.P. Morgan in 2017 shows your ambition and drive early on.
... With that, I end my nightly dose of sarcasm. Although, I will add a post script: I'm sad to report that WSO has "Incoming Analyst" as an option one can choose for their title.
ARRRRGHHH!!! NOOOOOOO!!!
100% agreed – no college kid is being so sought after by headhunters or recruiters at BBs that they need to inform the entire world of LinkedIn about where they will be interning/working several months down the line. Such a joke, the second I see someone's "Incoming..." I instantly ping them as a wanna-be too eager childish showoff.
It sounds cringy and kind of is, but if you're actively using Linkedin for networking purposes leading up to your internship then it might be useful to say where you're headed. 5 months in advance is a bit much.
I've seen some really corny ones like Disruptor, Catalyst, and etc.
I mean, seriously? Shameless.
I saw someone put 'Finding Myself' in their work experience section. They were on a sabbatical.
That kind of advice is why "Career Experts" don't have a real job
Along with "Leadership Experts"
Agreed with the "Keep it Simple" idea.
It reminds me of that Tai Lopez guy, "here in my garage."
I avoid these people
KNOWLEDGE
That dick is always jacking up my youtube videos. Shameful!
In my book the people that stand out are the ones that don't try to, but are badass anyway. The ones that flagrantly self promote just reek of insecurity
Newsflash: awesomeness speaks for itself
Best advice I ever got? Quantitative data speaks volumes on your resume/LinkedIn, and that fluff should be avoided at all costs. No one gives a shit that you're an influencer or visionary, they want to see hard facts.
Although I may be putting words in your mouth, in my case I may be doing the same thing... only to make fun of said person as it makes rounds around the desk. So even if that were true, I don't know that that's the kind of attention someone would want. I don't buy the "all press is good press" bullshit either.
As they say, those who can't do teach or coach in this case.
At least many coaches have some credibility. Think of "mediocre" NFL or D1 college players becomes great coaches. Many of these career experts wouldn't even get a back office job at a boutique, they are so distanced from BB recruiting that they really just offer noise.
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