The Thrive Careers Podcast
My career wasn’t a straight line—it was a series of pivots, survival jobs, and soul-searching moments. It really began when I decided I couldn’t keep feeling stuck and unfulfilled. I set out to find clarity, reignite my confidence, and create a career that actually made sense for me. That journey led me here—and now I help others do the same.
I’m Olajumoke Fatoki—a career coach, HR strategist, and advocate for newcomers, women, and mid-career professionals trying to build work that fits their life, not the other way around.
On the Thrive Careers Podcast, I share everything I’ve learned from walking that path—plus honest conversations with experts and real people navigating their own career crossroads. Whether you’re job hunting on a Post-Graduate Work Permit, re-entering the workforce after burnout, or trying to grow into leadership, this space is for you.
💼 You’ll get:
- Practical job search and LinkedIn strategies (with an AI edge)
- Support through career pivots and big transitions
- Real talk about imposter syndrome, burnout, and confidence
- Insights on how to grow a career that’s aligned and sustainable
Some guests are seasoned pros. Others are still figuring it out. But every story brings you closer to your own version of thriving.
🔔 New episodes every week.
Subscribe if you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a career that finally feels like home.
The Thrive Careers Podcast
Elevate Your LinkedIn Presence and Build Meaningful Career Visibility
Feel invisible on LinkedIn—or unsure how to make AI actually work for your job search?
You’re not alone. And the good news? You don’t have to be a tech expert or influencer to build a standout profile.
In this episode, career coach and HR strategist Olajumoke Fatoki chats with Al Kushner, author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, about how to make LinkedIn work for you—with the help of AI tools that save time and boost visibility.
💡 You’ll learn:
- How to use AI to write stronger LinkedIn summaries and headlines
- The biggest LinkedIn mistakes that cost professionals job opportunities
- How to reconnect with your network (even if you’ve been MIA for a while)
- Why SEO matters more than ever in today’s job market
Whether you’re job searching, pivoting careers, or simply ready to show up with more confidence—this episode is your toolkit.
📘 Download the Career Clarity Playbook (Free!):
https://bit.ly/CareerClarityPlaybook
📱 Connect with Al:
alkushnerspeaks.com
🎧 Hit play and start rewriting your LinkedIn story—on your terms.
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:
- Subscribe to the Thrive Careers Podcast for more actionable career tips and inspiring stories.
- Share this episode with friends and colleagues who are ready to set their own goals for success in 2025.
- Follow us on social media for daily career insights and updates:
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki
- Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast
Let’s keep thriving together!
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Olajumoke Fatoki (00:18)
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Thrive Careers Podcast—your space for career clarity, confidence, and bold career moves. I'm your host, Olajumoke Fatoki, and I’m so excited about this edition because—we’ve just been named The Best Careers Podcaster by the Women Podcasters Network! I’m truly honored. Whether you’ve been with me since day one or you’re tuning in for the first time, thank you for being here. Your support means the world.
Now, if LinkedIn has ever felt confusing—or if you’ve ever wondered how AI can help you stand out without sounding robotic—this episode is for you.
Today, I’m sitting down with Al Kushner, author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage, to talk about how to show up smarter and more efficiently on LinkedIn, enhance your job search, and build a personal brand that reflects who you really are.
Olajumoke:
Al, thank you so much for joining us on today’s episode. Welcome to the show!
Al Kushner:
Thank you, Olajumoke. I appreciate the opportunity.
🎯 What Inspired the Book
Olajumoke:
I’m genuinely excited to have you here. I’ve been listening to your book and taking pages of notes—it’s packed with so many practical insights. Before we dive into the “how,” I’d love to start with the “why.” What inspired you to write The AI LinkedIn Advantage? And what’s the one key takeaway you hope readers walk away with?
Al Kushner:
Great question. I was looking for resources that combined AI and LinkedIn and couldn’t find any. So I thought—why not create one? I work with clients who need help optimizing their profiles in a way that’s professional, clear, and compelling. This book is my way of offering a practical, approachable guide that people can use as a long-term resource.
Olajumoke:
I love that. You saw a gap and created something meaningful to fill it. That’s exactly why this conversation is so needed.
🔍 Demystifying LinkedIn
Olajumoke:
Personally, I’ve always found LinkedIn a bit overwhelming—and I know I’m not alone. It’s not as relaxed as Instagram or other platforms where people feel freer to show up as themselves. What do you say to people who feel that pressure to be “perfect” on LinkedIn?
Al Kushner:
Perfection isn’t the goal. The first step is optimizing your profile because first impressions matter. Your profile shouldn’t just be a résumé—it should highlight your value. Once that’s in place, everything else becomes more approachable.
🤖 Using AI for Personal Branding
Olajumoke:
You’ve mentioned AI as a major game changer. For someone who's unsure where to start, how exactly is AI transforming how professionals approach LinkedIn?
Al Kushner:
AI tools like ChatGPT can help you enhance your profile with the right keywords and tone. They’re great for improving your headline or summary—saving time while helping you create something more compelling and personalized. It's not about replacing your voice; it's about helping you refine it.
🔑 Understanding SEO on LinkedIn
Olajumoke:
You also touched on SEO earlier. How can professionals use SEO intentionally to boost their presence on LinkedIn?
Al Kushner:
Create content that teaches and adds value—like LinkedIn newsletters. If you’re consistently showing up with insights, people begin to see you as a thought leader. And the right keywords in your profile and posts help the algorithm—and the right people—find you.
💬 Real Results with AI
Olajumoke:
Can you share a success story of someone who used the strategies in your book to elevate their presence or land a job?
Al Kushner:
Absolutely. One client initially didn’t realize how critical their profile was. We started with a professional headshot and a background image, and I guided them through creating a newsletter. As a result, their followers increased by 110%, and they built relationships that turned into opportunities. AI helped them create posts that gained traction—even engagement from influencers.
📍 First Steps to a Standout Profile
Olajumoke:
Let’s talk basics. What are the first steps someone should take to build a standout LinkedIn profile using AI?
Al Kushner:
Start with keywords—your skills, roles, industry terms. Use ChatGPT to help craft a compelling headline. Add volunteer work, awards, and your top 100 skills. And most importantly, collect recommendations. They serve as third-party endorsements that build trust fast.
🚫 Mistakes to Avoid on LinkedIn
Olajumoke:
What are some of the biggest mistakes you see on LinkedIn?
Al Kushner:
The biggest one? Pitch slapping—immediately selling in your first message. It’s off-putting. Relationships take trust. Instead, start simple. Say thanks, engage with their content, and be helpful. That’s how quality connections are built.
🔁 Reentering After a Break
Olajumoke:
If someone’s been inactive on LinkedIn for months—or even years—how do they come back without feeling awkward?
Al Kushner:
Start by updating your profile. Add any new roles, skills, or achievements. Then ease in—comment on posts, engage with others, and avoid overly self-serving content. Just focus on value. That’s what people notice.
⚡ Rapid Fire Round
Olajumoke:
All right, let’s switch it up with some rapid fire!
Q: What’s one overlooked LinkedIn feature?
Al: LinkedIn Premium and Sales Navigator. They let you see who’s viewing your profile and help you make smarter connections.
Q: Your favorite AI or productivity tool?
Al: Grammarly. It saves time and makes your writing cleaner and more professional.
Q: One career lesson you wish more people knew?
Al: Always keep your profile updated. Your presence should show you're professional, relevant, and resourceful.
🎤 Final Words & CTA
Olajumoke:
This has been such a rich and practical conversation, Al. Thank you so much.
If this episode got your wheels turning and you're ready to take control of your LinkedIn story, grab my Career Clarity Playbook—your step-by-step guide to building a standout career.
👉 https://bit.ly/CareerClarityPlaybook
Al:
Thanks so much for having me. And if you're looking to go deeper, check out linkedvantage.com for free eBooks and optimization resources.
Olajumoke:
Thank you again, Al—and thank you to everyone listening. Until next time… keep thriving.