Launched
in 2003 and officially made public in 2011, LinkedIn boasts well over 332
million members in 200 countries. With those numbers it may seem daunting to
make your profile stand out, especially if you’re just entering the workforce
or introducing yourself to the social media scene later into your career. Just
remember, first impressions count. With a few tips that shouldn't be secrets to
LinkedIn success, you can make sure that your profile sheds the best light on
you and your accomplishments.
First
things first: the photo. Don’t let that default grey silhouette represent you.
You are a person and it’s important for future connections to recognize you as
such; not a computer or a scam. It may seem like a no-brainer but LinkedIn
profiles with a picture get 11 times more views than those without. With that being said, make sure the picture
is actually of you -- save pictures of your dog for Facebook. You don’t
necessarily have to run out and get a professional portrait taken, although you
are more than welcome to, but make sure that your face is shown. If your best
friend is in the picture with you, perhaps you should choose a different photo.
Rethink the pictures of you in a bar, even if your hair looks great, and avoid
chaotic backgrounds. Bring the focus to you and make sure you’re at least
smiling!
Secondly,
recognize that the summary space is not optional. LinkedIn is your resume and
you wouldn't want to skimp on the details of who you are and the type of work
that you do. You have 2,000 characters to fill up that space so make the most
of it. It may be easy to fall into a list format and just checking off your
experiences and skills. Gather your content. Tell a story. Focus on your most
important accomplishments and emphasize your values and passions. This is no
place for filler so make every one of those 2,000 characters count. Don’t
forget about your education or professional training that make you qualified
for the work that you are aiming for or currently do. If possible keep your
summary limited to about four paragraphs. It may seem long but if you organize
your content you can make those four paragraphs the most effective part of your
LinkedIn page.
You
hear about calls to action all the time. Leave your contact information. Phone
number, email, website link, what have you. Are you currently working? Looking
for networking opportunities? Say so here and make it easy for people to reach
you. Again, don’t be an anonymous social media user. Reinforce your profile
with a few references and make sure that your skills are being endorsed by
other connections. And for Pete’s sake, check your spelling and grammar!
Remember,
there are no secrets to using LinkedIn. Click that Share button and keep your
information up to date. There are a lot of websites that share great examples
of stellar LinkedIn profiles and personal branding tips. Use search tools to
your advantage, join some groups on LinkedIn and make connections with those
who will help bring you and your career to the next level.
Bullas, Jeff. "25
LinkedIn Facts and Statistics You Need to Share." Jeffbullass Blog
RSS. Jeffbullas's Blog, 02 Dec. 2014. Web. 11 Feb.2015.
Fletcher, Louise.
"Two Awesome LinkedIn Summary Examples (with Templates)." Two
Awesome LinkedIn Summary Examples (with Templates). Blue Sky Blog, 2014.
Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Arruda, William.
"Three Steps To Writing The Perfect LinkedIn Summary."Forbes.com.
Forbes, 9 July 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Bernstein, Brenda.
"5 Essential Tips for a KILLER LinkedIn Summary."CareerCast.com.
Career Cast, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
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