Recruiting tips

The 10 Writers Every Recruiter Should Follow on LinkedIn

In July, LinkedIn welcomed its 1 millionth publisher on its platform, a number that has only continued to grow. Each week, approximately 130,000 posts are published on LinkedIn, to the delight of our 400+ million members.

That’s a lot of writers and a lot of articles. It also made us curious – who are the best writers on the platform that stand out from the pack? Specifically, who are the writers the recruiters should be paying attention to?

Well, after an exhausting analysis, we uncovered the top writers on LinkedIn in the “management and culture” sector, as in people who write about how to best inspire and engage talent.

So, without further ado, here is the list of writers you’ll benefit from following on LinkedIn, in descending order:

10: James Bareham: Founding Creative Partner of The Cruelty 

What he writes about: The many ways creative professionals are reinventing their careers to adjust to technology.

His must-read series: Bareham produces smart — and beautifully designed — profiles of musicians, photographers, and other artists finding a way to adapt in the digital world. Subjects include everyone from the co-founder of the British band Squeeze, to a sculptor now creating the Tesla of wine.

Piece he's proudest of: My Career as a Photographer is Over. What a Relief.

Why he likes it: "I found it daunting to admit publicly that my 25-year career as a professional photographer was over. Writing the piece on LinkedIn committed me to that decision in the most public way possible."

9. Gary Frisch: Founder of Swordfish Communications

What he writes about: Corporate scandals and the responses to them.

Recent controversies he analyzed: Why Volkswagen's apology fell so flat; why the recent Starbucks’ red cup outrage was more like a Christmas gift.

Favorite post: Why Olive Garden Has Earned My Loyalty

Why he likes it: "It highlighted something positive about a popular company...and so rarely do I get to use the phrase 'I feared the other tortellini was going to drop.'"

How he comes up with story ideas: "Easy, I follow the news media. There’s never a shortage of topics and companies crying out for some Monday-morning quarterbacking."

8. Louis D. Lo Praeste: Global Business Consultant at Quodfatum

What he covers: “I write political and social commentary about the times we live in, the economy, and what more enlightened leadership might look like. I'm controversial at times, funny I think, and generally very blunt."

Post he’s proudest of: An Open Letter to my Fellow Men struck a cord with a lot people because I took on sexual harassment from the male perspective.”

Morning habit: “I take a hot towel from the water I heat to make pour-over coffee and wipe the sleep from my eyes and face, read the Economist Espresso briefs, drink my coffee and write at least 1500 words. Everyday. Sometimes it's rubbish, sometimes it's decent. Try the towel method; it's very refreshing.”

7. Suzy Welch: Co-Author of the Real Life MBA

What she covers: "The good, the bad, the ugly, the uncomfortable, the complicated, the crazy, and the wonderful of getting ahead...or put another way, the here's-how-it-really-works of career management."

Most-popular post: Three (Unprofessional) Ways to Get Ahead at Work

Her favorite interview question: "What did you do to prepare for this interview?”

Why she likes it: "It offers, I think, an 'a-ha!' for both parties in the interview process — the person doing the questioning, and the candidate him or herself."

Media diet: "Diet' suggests that there are some things I don't read, which would be misleading. I read five newspapers (yes, those still exist) plus probably a dozen-plus news and commentary sites across the spectrum...But the main thing about my reading is I'm always paranoid there's some platform I'm missing. And so I never stop searching for new ones."

6. Dustin McKissen: Founder and CEO of McKissen & Company

What he covers: “I write about the intersection of our personal and professional lives."

What that includes: He described the time he had to fire his brother; what he learned while living and sleeping in his car; and how he discovered that he couldn't "work" his way through the emotions surrounding his mother's death.

Post he’s proudest of: The Amazing Skillset of a Stay-at-Home Parent

Why he likes that: “It's about my wife going back to the workforce after 12 years, and why stay-at-home parents can be an asset to any workforce."

Jamming out: “The single most impactful thing on my style of writing is the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen. I'm a better writer when the headphones are plugged in and Bruce Springsteen is on.”

5. Molly Moseley: LinkUp SVP of Marketing and Agency Relations

What she covers: “I take current events and everyday topics and relate them to the common working folk, like you and me.”

Stories she tackled: Where Ellen Pao got it wrong in attempting to close the wage gap; what employers should do when an employee lies (NBC News’s Brian Williams; former NAACP Rachel Dolezal); and why the ‘Yelp for people’ app wouldn't be of any use to HR.

Post she’s most proud of: Female Executives, Primary Parents and the Myth of Having It All

Why she likes it: "I struggle at un-plugging. I struggle at not checking my phone while at swimming lessons, soccer games, or hockey practice...With that being said, I’m the most proud of this post because it simply communicates struggles, imperfections, balance, and most importantly, supporting one another.”

4. Carson Tate: Founder of Working Simply

What she covers: Productivity strategies that can help individuals work simply and live fully, whether that means reducing sloppy emails, improving daily planning — or just making time for adult recess.

Post she's most proud of: What Burning Out Taught Me About Prioritizing My Work

Why she likes it: "I shared a very personal moment in my own journey to find simplicity and balance. I heard from numerous readers who shared their own struggles...it was humbling and inspiring."

Her favorite comment on a post: “As we mature, we realize that many things are important but not equally important. Prioritize based on your values. The strongest person at the negotiating table is the one who can stand up and walk away.”

3. Justin Bariso: Founder of INSIGHT

What he covers: “I write weekly on the topics of leadership, communication, and how you can find valuable business lessons…well, pretty much everywhere.”

Most-popular post: Starbucks’ CEO Sent a Remarkable Email to Employees Yesterday. Here Are 2 Takeaways

One takeaway: “If you see an opportunity, pounce on it. Think it through, but don’t overanalyze.”

What fellow list member Lynne Everatt said of Bariso: “It's hard to write so well that you're an easy read.”

2. Lynne Everatt: Writer at TheCheekyPost.com

What she covers: “I write about what moves me and then I let what moves me tell me how to write about it.”

A writer with range: She’s found something smart to say about everything from the $15 minimum wage; to the Greek debt crisis.

Her favorite post: Isn't it time for McDonald's to send in the clown?

Most interesting story of 2015: “The Volkswagen emissions scandal...because the characters seemed positively Shakespearean, with Martin Winterkorn cast as Macbeth and the board of directors as Lady Macbeth.”

Praise from another list member Olivia Barrow: "Lynne Everatt is awesome. She has an amazing voice."

1. Brian de Haaff: CEO of Aha!

What he writes about: “Personal and company growth and the adventure of living a meaningful life.”

Some of his greatest hits: Why This CEO Will Never Hire Another Salesperson (496K views); How Smart Managers Manipulate Employees (450K views); The Worst Habits of Clueless Leaders (626K views).

Post he’s most proud of: Cancer and the Power of Work. “It was a painful article to write, but the story of my sister-in-law, Sarah Haberfeld de Haaff, and her impact needed to be told.”

Where he comes up with ideas: "I studied philosophy at U.C. Berkeley and have always thought deeply about myself and the world I live in. I find inspiration and new ideas everywhere and all the time."

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