If You Aren’t Using LinkedIn Name Pronunciation, You’re Missing Out

Do you know about LinkedIn’s Name Pronunciation feature? I love it because it has obvious and stealth benefits.

Create a Global Database of Name Pronunciations

First, if we all take a moment to use this feature, we’ll create a global database of name pronunciations.

Learn to Pronounce Other People’s Names Correctly

Then, we’ll have a quick, easy way to learn how to pronounce the names of people we’re about to meet.

Nothing is more core to our identities than our names.

Thus, people who pronounce them correctly get some halo effect.

That’s a learning error identified by psychologist Edward Thorndike 100 years ago. He found we apply an excellent first impression of a person to all their abilities and traits.

So, when a recruiter or a hiring manager glows after you pronounce their name correctly, you’ll get a halo effect.

Seriously, would you hire someone who didn’t bother to learn how to pronounce your name?

Help Other People Pronounce Your Name

You will start relationships with people in a friendlier way if you share how to pronounce your name.

A 2022 Greenhouse survey found 43% of people had their names mispronounced in interviews.

Then they got miffed. But hey, their bad when they could have prevented the problem via LinkedIn.

Mitigate Job Search Name Discrimination

Also, is your name outside the dominant culture? If it is, this feature will help you avoid discrimination.

A 2021 UC Berkeley study found that people with “racial” names get fewer interviews.

Studies conducted in Canada and France had similar findings.

Some of that is racism.

And some interviewers won’t talk with people when they fear getting their names wrong.

So, if you have a challenging name, make an audio recording with the right pronunciation.

Also, given our diverse world, assume your name is challenging for someone.

Personal Positioning (Challenging Name or Not)

Next, this feature provides opportunities for you to position yourself in the market.

LinkedIn gives you a 10-second audio clip.

I don’t know how long it takes you to pronounce your name, but I would guess it’s less than a second.

That leaves 9 seconds to record a:

1. Friendly statement (example)
2. Positioning statement (example)
3. Call to action (example)
4. Jobseeker elevator pitch (no example)
5. What else?

As you can see, I’m still looking for an elevator pitch example. If you’ve heard a good one, I’d appreciate an email or a link in the comments below.

Employee Onboarding

Beyond the job search, using LinkedIn name pronunciation can help with employee onboarding.

A 2021 survey from Wisetail found 26% of new hires have anxiety about saying co-workers’ names.

So, to welcome a new team member, ask people to use LinkedIn name pronunciation.

Then, point the new person to LinkedIn with a list of their colleagues’ profile URLs. The new person will learn about their backgrounds and how to pronounce their names.

I’d love to see this become a common courtesy.

(BTW, that 26% number? It’s a proxy for how many recruiters and hiring managers fear messing up candidates’ names.)

Build Rapport

LinkedIn name pronunciation is such a powerful positioning and rapport-building opportunity. If you aren’t using it, you’re missing out.

I don’t know about you, but I love listening to the recordings. They’re a fun way to learn a little bit more about someone.

Give people who think they’re just going to view your profile an extra treat, some authentic you!

Step-by-Step Instructions to Add a Recording

Now, if you’re ready to record, I watched several “how-to” videos, so you don’t have to.

Akshay Ahluwalia, a Director at the American Marketing Association, crushes it:

 

If you prefer written instructions:

1. Open your LinkedIn mobile app.
2. Click your mini-me photo in the top-left corner.
3. Click “View profile.”
4. Find the edit pencil to the right of your photo and click it.
5. Look below your name entries for “Audio recording” and an edit pencil.
6. Click the pencil.
7. Click “Record new pronunciation.”
8. Hold the mike and record your 10-second spot.
9. Then, click “Tap to preview.”
10. If you like it, click “Retake” (confusing, I know) and then click “Replace.”
11. If you don’t like it, click “Apply” and start over at step 6.
12. Finally, when you have a recording you like, complete step 10 and click Save in the top-right corner.
13. Then, make your recording visible to 1st-degree connections or all members. I suggest all members.

It’s much easier than the 13 steps make it look. Except for the part where you do 10 or 20 takes to get a recording you like. Or was that just me?

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Updated January 2023

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