Insights from an SE-Leader-Turned-Recruiter: Personal Branding for SEs with Raphael Joseph

In this episode, Jack Cochran and Matthew James are joined by Raphael Joseph to discuss the critical importance of building a strong LinkedIn profile for PreSales professionals. They explore how the platform has evolved as a powerful career tool, especially in today's competitive job market. Raphael shares practical tips on crafting a professional presence that highlights your unique value proposition, explains the impact of consistent engagement, and offers advice on creating authentic content that resonates with hiring managers.

To join the show live, follow the Presales Collective's LinkedIn page or join the PSC Slack community for updates. The show is bi-weekly on Tuesdays, 8AM PT/11AM ET/4PM GMT.

Follow the Hosts

• Connect with Jack Cochran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackcochran/

• Connect with Matthew James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewyoungjames/

• Connect with Raphael Joseph: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-joseph-23044150/

Links and Resources Mentioned

• Join Presales Collective Slack: https://www.presalescollective.com/slack

• Sponsor: Opine - https://tryopine.com

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and introduction to LinkedIn's evolution

01:50 Sponsor: Opine

03:06 Raphael's background and career journey

10:46 Why you should build your LinkedIn profile before you need it

21:11 Focusing on your ideal customer profile (ICP)

25:21 Engagement strategies: connecting, commenting, and posting

33:49 Overcoming nervousness about posting

Key Topics Covered

1. LinkedIn Profile Optimization

   • Using your banner as prime real estate to showcase your unique value

   • Crafting a clear headline that highlights your specialization

   • Writing descriptions that focus on the value you provide

   • The importance of professional photos and consistent branding

2. Strategic Profile Positioning

   • Reverse-engineering your profile based on your target roles

   • Focusing on 3-4 key specializations rather than listing everything

   • Using industry-standard job titles even if your company uses different terminology

   • Making it easy for recruiters to find you through targeted keywords

3. Building Meaningful Connections

   • Connecting with 100-200 potential hiring managers weekly

   • Engaging with their content through thoughtful comments and questions

   • Creating a network before you need it for job searching

   • Leveraging connections for opportunities when transitions occur

4. Content Creation Strategy

   • Starting with comments before moving to creating original posts

   • Sharing authentic experiences from customer interactions

   • Finding your niche audience within the PreSales community

   • Focusing on consistency rather than viral metrics

5. The Changing Job Market

   • How market conditions have shifted from candidate-focused to employer-focused

   • Why specificity now trumps broadness in skills presentation

   • Standing out in a competitive environment through specialization

   • Using LinkedIn as your primary job search tool rather than traditional resumes