Related Posts
33 M in NYC. Open to chatting!
Just a floofy boy, watching the leaves fall

Additional Posts in Veteran Bowl
Any Navy Nukes in this bowl?
McKinsey & Company Anyone at McKinsey & Company willing to refer a Marine veteran (OIF, I swear I will not eat all the crayons. "Crayons" are for art is what my wife tells me to tell myself)
5yrs Marines (Sgt, Comm maint tech w infantry Bn)
8yrs in Oil & Gas (engr coordinator, qty surveying and proj ctrl)
CM undergrad
MBA (professional program, graduated May 2022)
I'm looking for a role in McK serving O&G, industrial, capital projects clients. Open to generalist roles as well. Can review for vetting.
New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.




Can I ask what are you trying to accomplish by growing your profile? Are you in sales? Are you trying to network for a new job? Build general credibility?
I am going to assume you are more junior in terms of civilian experience. In general here are some things I would look at:
1. Do you have a good professional photo? If not, suit up and take one. Doesn’t have to be fancy.
2. If you don’t have much professional experience, don’t try to inflate what you have done. It’s becoming commonplace nowadays and people are developing very negative feelings towards it. Just state your experience in a simple and organized manner.
3. If you have professional interests, you can include those as well just don’t be cheesy about it. Look at other peoples profiles you find to be well done and copy their style.
4. Make your profile neat, make sure dates line up, capital letters in the right place. Sloppy linkedin profiles reflect poorly on your image.
As far as building the actual network, it will take time. I would connect with people if they have career interests similar to yours, maybe common experience? Usually vets are pretty open to networking with other vets. Don’t be the person who randomly tries to connect with the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.
OP, just in case you don’t have a professional photo on your LinkedIn page if you go to any job fairs, sometimes there will be photographers there who will take professional photos for free for members who are transitioning out of the military. It’s a great thing to get done and usually at these job fairs it’s free, this will definitely help with your profile. If you have anymore questions, please feel free to DM me.
Agree with M1.
Establish your goal and purpose.
Personally, I find BD and personal growth opps via LinkedIn.
Also, if you're trying to grow, don't just message randos. Engage in posts so they know you're a real person. Once you have established a common ground, a connection request is more organic. With vets its a little easier, because you have your common ground, "hi, I'm looking to grow my professional veteran network and would like to be a part of your network" is often all it takes.
I've recently started connecting with alumnis of universities I attended. In the monthly newsletter, I connect with whoever is highlighted: "hi, congrats on (reason they're in the newsletter). I'd like to grow my (name if school) network and would love to be a part of your network."
PS just sent you my LI in a DM. Happy to connect.
OP, same. I run a chapter of USA Cares and have gotten integrated with others through this volunteer work via LinkedIn.
DM me. I am good at this and you will see when I send you my LinkedIn.
appreciate the response
LinkedIn for networking is like Facebook for friends. It serves a purpose in your network but you shouldn’t lean on it. I like LinkedIn to research people and companies but rarely take someone’s word online unless I get to meet them in person. I’ve seen so many BS recommendations on LinkedIn but when you dig into it they don’t really know the person. If you’re new to it, be strategic in who you connect with and try to meet some of them in person to create a real network on top of those connections online. Offer to meet over a cup of coffee. If someone doesn’t have time for a free cup of coffee, they won’t be great in your network anyway
I connected with a friend’s connection who sent me an invite from the CEO of GM, they are what my company would call a whale. they support diversity supplier contracts, b2b with my clients.
introductions to the right people will get you some awesome connections to cultivate into helping others and helping yourself
A young HR manager taught me a trick on this, connect with anyone that is recommended and with recruiters that work for companies you are interested in pursuing.
Obviously you’ll have connections you’ve worked directly with but it is not necessary to be overly selective with who you connect with.
What kind of consulting do you do?
i volunteer for a few veteran nonprofits first and foremost, then have a few clients that i know who also donate to those charities.
i recently got into SDVOB certification