Liz Ryan on LinkedIn: Are You Underestimating Your Professional Value?

In a recent LinkedIn post, veteran HR professional Liz Ryan discusses a common pitfall she observes on the platform: individuals consistently underestimating their own professional value in their profiles. Ryan, who has been in HR since 1984, asserts that this isn’t typically a matter of lacking confidence, but rather a failure to be taught how to effectively showcase one’s true worth on LinkedIn.

Ryan highlights the prevalent issue of professionals resorting to safe, uninspired language on their profiles. She states:

Most people’s profiles underestimate them. Not because they lack confidence, but because no one ever taught them how to show their actual value on LinkedIn.

This tendency, according to Ryan, leads to profiles filled with what she terms “corporate camouflage.” She argues that this approach is detrimental to career advancement.

The Problem with ‘Corporate Camouflage’

Liz Ryan contends that many professionals default to using generic phrases and dry job descriptions rather than highlighting their unique contributions and achievements. This “safe” approach, while perhaps intended to avoid missteps, ultimately obscures the individual’s genuine impact and capabilities.

As Ryan points out:

So they default to safe phrases, dry job descriptions, and corporate camouflage.

She believes this is a missed opportunity for individuals to stand out in a crowded professional landscape. The core message from Ryan is that a career is too significant to be “hidden behind jargon.”

The Call for a ‘LinkedIn Impact Audit’

To address this widespread issue, Liz Ryan is encouraging professionals to undertake what she calls a “LinkedIn Impact Audit.” This initiative, she suggests, is designed to help individuals move beyond generic descriptions and effectively communicate their value proposition.

In her view:

Your career is too important to hide it behind jargon.

Ryan’s post ultimately serves as a call to action, urging users to re-evaluate their LinkedIn presence and actively work on presenting their skills and accomplishments in a way that resonates with recruiters, potential clients, and industry peers. The underlying premise is that a well-crafted profile is a powerful tool for career growth, and many are not leveraging it to its full potential.