Your LinkedIn profile is your introduction to the professional world. It is just as important as your resume/CV. However, the two are different. If your LinkedIn profile is an exact copy of your resume/CV then you are doing it wrong.
LinkedIn provides users with a platform where then can include more aspects in their profile than they can fit in a standard resume/CV. Use that to your advantage. Think of it as a marketing tool.
Remember that recruiters are now using LinkedIn to not only vet job applicants before an interview, but also to find and contact potential candidates.
Wondering how to upgrade your profile? Here are 5 ways you can do it:
1. Get a great headshot
Yes, it is necessary! No one wants to click on a profile without a picture. You want your profile to get the attention it deserves so upload a photo. Not just any photo either. That means no selfies, group photos or pictures of you turning up.
Put up a high-resolution picture of yourself without anything distracting in the background. Dress appropriately and smile. You want the picture to exude confidence and happiness.
Read more here: 3 Ways To Transform Your LinkedIn Profile From Crappy to Fabulous
2. Add a creative headline
The headline is one of the first things that people looking at your profile will see. It should grab their attention and compel them to read on. Think about your next career step.
Where do you see yourself? What kind of opportunities do you want to explore? Use this to inform how you craft your headline. Incorporate keywords and structure it in a way that it shows exactly who you want to be.
Think of your LinkedIn headline as a condensed mission statement.
3. Write a concise summary
A well-written summary will help recruiters and potential partners find you. Make it personal. Share your passion about the industry you are in or are looking to transition to.
What is your background? What have you achieved so far? What are your career goals? Use keywords and weave your responses into a career story that will give recruiters insight into who you are, and make them want to meet you.
Read more here: Three Steps To Writing The Perfect LinkedIn Summary
4. Add media
LinkedIn allows users to incorporate media to their experience section. It’s a great way for people to get a sense of what you have done.
Have a presentation, video, photo or document that you worked on? Upload it. Is your work online? Link to it. Add media that you are proud of and that showcases the range of your abilities.
Take advantage of the media add-ons on LinkedIn to SHOW people exactly what you are capable of.
5. Skills and endorsements
Be strategic about the skills that you list. Limit them to the ones you are most confident in and that you want to be known for.
Endorse your colleagues’ skills. Chances are they will do the same for you. Endorsements show that you have the skills and expertise that you say do.
Have you tried any of these tips? Were they helpful? Any others I didn’t mention? Go ahead and share them with me below.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing
One of my friends got contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn and was able to start the interview process right there. I think it was having her experience on there that really helped her. I haven’t added much there but I plan to start now.
But what do you do when you don’t have any exciting things to put there or don’t have much experience? I feel like you won’t really stand out
Then you haven’t been exploring your potential to the full. Go out there. Live a little. Volunteer lots in causes you are passionate about. If you don’t know what you are passionate about, volunteer lots anyway- you are bound to find something you are passionate about. Even if it is calling out a few friends to go visit a children’s home or kids on hospital or give clothes to the homeless. Don’t wait for someone to lead the crew. You LEAD the crew. And that is how you get the ‘exciting’ things to put there.
We absolutely agree! Young women have to be more aggressive about pursuing new opportunities and not waiting for things to come to them.
I need a good headshot ASAP! This year I can’t be having selfies represent my work LOL
Gonna spend some time thinking of a strong headline. I think that can really help me stand apart.
Thanks SLA! Going to go and update my LinkedIn page right now!
I’m in the media industry. Having examples of my work on LinkedIn has helped me attract the attention of potential employers.
I’ve been on LinkedIn for years but haven’t found any employment opportunities. I will make these changes, and hopefully 2016 will be my year!