How to make the most out of LinkedIn as a physiotherapist.

LinkedIn is one of the most popular platforms for business networking. Let’s explore how to use it effectively as a physiotherapist.

Many professionals from various fields including engineering, management, finance, sales, marketing use it widely to advance their career. When I was in India, I saw only handful of physiotherapists using Linkedin. To be honest, I didn’t have a LinkedIn account when I was working back in India. When I moved to the USA, I set up my LinkedIn account. I soon realized I can network with physiotherapists across the globe. I could find out what they are doing in their careers, different ways to advance my career, various courses and workshops out there. I could also look up for jobs, research the company and prepare myself better for the interview.

Let’s explore how you can make the most out of LinkedIn as a physiotherapist. It is important to set up your LinkedIn account first.

I am hearing all the reasons why not to join LinkedIn “But I have my own practice.” “But I  am a student.” “I am not sure what I want to do next.” “I already have a job that I love.” “I will be joining my sister’s/father’s/ mother’s practice.” Okay then, let’s start with why

Why to uses LinkedIn as a physiotherapist?

Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume. People can look you up and sometimes an employer may approach you if they think your skills match the role they have to offer. You can search for jobs on LinkedIn, sometimes apply on LinkedIn, and even get in touch with a job poster. If you own a business you can skim through candidates and reach out to the ones whose skill set appeals to you. If you are a student and unsure what you want to do next, you can network with other students and professionals to find out what they are doing. It may just inspire you. If you already love your job, you can showcase your work on LinkedIn, and you may inspire somebody!

Now that we know our why, let’s see how to use LinkedIn as a physiotherapist to make the most out of it.

Make sure your profile is up to date

Complete your job history and add your education information. Make sure to add any certifications and licenses. Yes, that 2 day certificate course you did in your fourth year, add that too! Add each and every certificate course you ever did. It shows your skillets and areas of interests to your employers. Make sure to highlight your skills. Also add a decent profile picture. People are likely to trust you more if they can see your face. So add a picture even if you think you are smiling awkwardly in it!

Network, Network,Network!

Make connections with other physiotherapists. Connect with physios who inspire you. Reach out to the ones who are working in a company or a field you wish to be in someday. Ask them for tips and advice. Not everyone replies but it can be helpful to you if somebody does. You can message a physiotherapist or someone from HR from the company you are going to be interviewing for. Ask them about the interview process and guidance to put your best foot forward!

Do your research

If you have an interview coming, research the company on LinkedIn. Read their recent posts. See any of your connections work there, if not make a new connection with physiotherapists who are already working there. If you know the names of the interviewers, check them out on LinkedIn and get to know their background. It is always a good idea to do your research before your interview, that shows the interviewer that you are well prepared and interested in the role.

You can join professional groups

You can get in touch with other like-minded physiotherapists through the LinkedIn group. Once you are a group member you can join conversations, ask and answer questions, seek guidance, provide insights, and even post and view a job. Click here to find out more about LinkedIn groups. You can get more information about what is trending, what are the workshops and courses on different topics, and other ideas to grow your business.

Referrals and endorsement

On LinkedIn as a physiotherapist, you can request your colleagues, friends, seniors to endorse the skill you are really good at. They can also write a referral for you. Most employers ask for a referral before they hire you. You can link your LinkedIn profile in your resume and the employer can find the referrals on your profile page. They will also have a brief idea of your skillset based on your endorsements.

Learning on LinkedIn as a physiotherapist

There are thousands of online learning courses available on the LinkedIn learning platform. Although not all courses are for physiotherapists, you can learn and develop soft skills from time management to listening. You can also improve your technical skills by taking courses on Microsoft Office applications. You may need to use your free LinkedIn premium trial or take a premium membership to access these courses.

So here you have it, all the information you need to start using LinkedIn effectively. When are you setting up your LinkedIn account?

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