In a recent LinkedIn post, Ehsan Ali discusses a common paradox he observes among senior IT professionals: strong individuals with surprisingly weak online profiles. Ali, who has spent four years reviewing profiles for Principal Engineers, Architects, Directors, and VPs, highlights a significant gap between the extensive value and impact these professionals possess and how it’s communicated on their LinkedIn pages.
According to Ali, the issue lies in the use of generic language that fails to differentiate individuals in a crowded field. He notes that despite possessing 15-25 years of experience, their contributions often become “invisible to the people making decisions.” This disconnect means that crucial skills and achievements are not effectively reaching hiring managers or key stakeholders.
“The pattern is almost always the same: Strong people. Weak profiles.”
The Problem of Generic Language
Ehsan Ali argues that many senior IT leaders fall into the trap of using language that, while accurate, is too common within the industry. This results in profiles that, despite representing highly skilled individuals, appear interchangeable with others. Ali points out that this lack of specificity buries the unique value proposition of these professionals.
Underselling Key Achievements
Ali’s analysis, shared on LinkedIn, emphasizes that the “hidden gold” within these profiles often relates to specific, impactful wins that are not being adequately highlighted. He suggests that the way these achievements are phrased is crucial for them to resonate with decision-makers. The challenge, as Ali sees it, is to translate years of experience and demonstrable success into compelling statements that clearly articulate why a candidate is the “obvious choice” for a role.
“15-25+ years of value and impact buried under generic language that makes you look like everyone else.”
Ali’s Approach to Profile Optimization
To address this widespread issue, Ehsan Ali recently hosted a live session focused on breaking down real LinkedIn profiles. This interactive format, designed for a small group on Zoom, aimed to pinpoint areas where profiles become generic and demonstrate specific, actionable edits. Ali’s goal is to help senior IT professionals make their profiles stand out and effectively showcase their unique strengths and accomplishments.
Identifying and Articulating Unique Value
During these sessions, Ali focuses on several key areas:
- Identifying sections of a profile that might sound generic, even if the underlying experience is not.
- Uncovering “undersold wins” and providing strategies for phrasing them to maximize impact.
- Suggesting specific edits that can shift a profile from being just another candidate to the “obvious choice” for recruiters and hiring managers.
“The skills are there. The experience is there. It’s just invisible to the people making decisions.”
Ali’s initiative underscores the importance of strategic profile optimization, particularly for seasoned professionals whose extensive experience warrants a more tailored and impactful online presence. By offering practical guidance, he aims to empower these leaders to better leverage their LinkedIn profiles as powerful career tools.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ehsan Ali on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 5, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →