In a recent LinkedIn post, Ehsan Ali discusses the critical difference between a professional profile that merely states a job title and one that effectively communicates influence and impact, particularly for senior IT professionals targeting director-level roles.
Ali recounts an experience at a “Hidden Gold” roundtable where a Senior Program Manager at ANZ Bank, despite having 21 years of experience and managing multi-million dollar programs, was not converting on opportunities. The individual’s LinkedIn headline simply read “Senior Program Manager | ANZ Bank.” Ali points out that this approach is akin to a business card, failing to convey the true scope of their capabilities and achievements.
“That’s not positioning. That’s a business card.”
The core issue, as highlighted by Ali, was not a lack of experience but the invisibility of crucial signals that resonate with the market for senior roles. These signals include reputation, influence, and impact, which were present but buried within the profile.
The Missing Signals of Seniority
Ali elaborates on the common pitfall for many senior IT professionals in Australia, where profiles often default to listing a job title and employer. This fails to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers looking for strategic leaders.
According to Ehsan Ali, the individual’s profile was missing three key signals:
- Reputation
- Influence
- Impact
These elements, while present in the individual’s career, were not effectively communicated. Ali’s intervention led to a revised headline that immediately added significant market weight:
“Senior Program Manager | $80M Core Banking, Product & Cloud Programs | CIO & EGM Engagement | Ex-ANZ, Accenture”
This transformed headline, Ali explains, offers a completely different market perception while representing the same person and career, showcasing the power of strategic positioning.
Beyond Networking: The Power of Pre-Posted Visibility
The conversation then shifted to a more profound question posed by the program manager: “How do I use this to get mentioned in rooms I’m not in?” Ali frames this as the “real game at Director level,” emphasizing that true career advancement at this stage involves being top-of-mind for opportunities before they are even publicly posted.
Ali argues that this level of visibility is achieved through a profile that clearly articulates one’s value proposition, demonstrating not just who you know, but who knows and considers you for key roles.
“Not just who you know. But who thinks of you when the role opens before it ever gets posted.”
He further suggests that professionals whose profiles still read like a “title dump” while they are performing director-level work are underselling themselves daily. Ali advocates for live profile reviews and strategic adjustments to ensure senior IT professionals are accurately represented and effectively positioned for the roles they aspire to.
For those seeking to elevate their professional brand and achieve greater visibility in the senior IT market, Ali’s insights underscore the importance of moving beyond simple job titles to showcase demonstrable impact and influence.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ehsan Ali on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 17, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →