What’s wrong with your LinkedIn profile? If you’re not receiving the intended response from potential clients or job interviewers, then there could be something wrong with your LinkedIn. There are over 400 million profiles competing on the LinkedIn network with an average of two users added each second.
So where do you stand? You need a perfect LinkedIn profile to be classified as “top talent”.
Here’s how to get it:
Profesh Photo and Headline
Revamp your personal brand with a professional photo and headline. According to Business Insider, profiles displaying photos are 14 times more likely to be viewed than those without. So basically, LinkedIn users prefer to place a face with your name.One of the most important aspects of accomplishing this step is to take a professional photo that clearly shows your face. You don’t necessarily have to be wearing a suit, but it must be professionally done and fit the formality of your job.
At the top of your profile, a snappy headline should be crafted from SEO keywords that can help you be found in networks within your profession via search. This includes making modifications to your LinkedIn profile’s URL, which can be personalized to match your exact name. If you really want to visually impress your viewers, add a banner that’s under 4MB and fits the dimensions 1400x425 for the best results. Include your industry on your profile for up to 15 times more views.
Summary with Personality
Your summary is the first thing LinkedIn members see. Since it’s located at the very top of the page, use this space to list your accomplishments, years of experience, expertise, specialization, and passions at work. Write in the first person (I) to appear more human and connect easier with other LinkedIn members. Don’t forget to also add a dash of your own personality (think of this as your personal brand identity), but do keep your adjectives to a minimum. Remember that a summary of +40 words makes you much more likely to show up in a search.Cut down the fluff. LinkedIn reports the most overused “buzzwords” found on profiles are things like, “motivated, passionate, creative, driven, extensive experience, responsible, strategic, track record, organizational, expert.” Members outside your network don’t have access to your contact information, so if you hope to get a response, add your contact details like email, phone, and website to the bottom of your summary.
Achievements and Samples
Just as you would when building a resume, write your job descriptions in a way that is most relevant to your viewers. Focus on achievements. Any accomplishments, successful projects, or samples can be added throughout your job history to strengthen your reputation. The great thing about LinkedIn is that this network allows you to upload a wide range of files as samples from images and videos to word docs and powerpoint presentations. It’s always a good idea to link your professional website and provide a range of samples or links to back your job performance.Make Connections
LinkedIn was made for networking, which means the more you “network”, the more successful your LinkedIn profile. One of the best ways to perfect your LinkedIn profile is to start by adding all past clients, colleagues, supervisors, and workplace connections who will vouch for you on the job. You can also add companies or join groups to increase your profile’s visibility with a search.Endorsements and Recommendations
So you’ve done everything so far, but still haven’t reached “expert” status? Then you need endorsements and recommendations. You can request endorsements from past colleagues and recommendations from clients and employers.It’s suggested that you have at least three endorsed skills and your endorsements stay focused on your specialization rather than generalizing your expertise to a wide range of skills. A good way to assure you receive endorsements is to first endorse your connections, then request they do the same. The ideal number of recommendations are between five and ten, but only the last two are visible when viewing your profile.
Publish and Share Articles
Publishing on LinkedIn is a great way to gain exposure. If you have your own website and blog, you might want to consider sharing articles on LinkedIn or attempting to get your material featured on LinkedIn Pulse. Publishing on LinkedIn Pulse will instantly extend your reach and allow you to connect with more people on LinkedIn.Alex Pirouz wrote in an article that blogging on LinkedIn is an effective way to gain exposure on the network. Pirouz reported having 4 articles featured on the LinkedIn homepage, over 128,000 blog views, 1000 comments, 18,193 shares, 430 leads, and 2,300 new followers as a result of publishing on LinkedIn.
Keep Things Up-To-Date
Always keep your profile relevant with your latest jobs and goals, if someone notices that your profile is out of date, they may just assume you no longer use LinkedIn and turn back without viewing anything.It's a good idea to remember that a majority of HR professionals, potential employers, and company executives in search of business services use LinkedIn to find top talent and leads. Since you’re competing against millions of members, regularly updating your profile will help you stand out among the crowd and show up in relevant searches. Take the time to continuously refine your personal brand identity so that your message is in line with your goals.
Follow these steps, and you could just perfect your Linkedin profile.
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The Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn Profile Perfection - infographic by LeisureJobs.
