7 Tips for Your LinkedIn Profile

With LinkedIn becoming ever more popular and being used by millions around the globe for networking and job hunting, it might be naive not to take part in this growing trend. LinkedIn has become the largest social network for professionals, and many companies revert to this site to find potential employees. A proper LinkedIn profile can increase your chances of employment while building a professional self-brand in the digital world.

Just like with any other digital platform, there are some definite dos and don’ts that will make you stand out in good or bad ways. Here are 7 tips to create a professional LinkedIn profile.

 

 1.      Define YOU at First Glance

Most people, especially recruiters hunting for a specific type of person, scan through a profile, speed-reading through the top part of it as it loads. A decision is made within 30 seconds as to whether they are interested in reading the rest.

So make sure to put all your bragging points in the top half of your profile. This is not the time to be modest about your achievements - this is the time to flaunt them!

Remember, this is a site for building and maintaining professional relationships. Your profile picture should be professional and show you are taking this seriously.

2. Use Keywords

Keywords are crucial for people to find you. They put a spotlight on your niche skills and relevance to possible positions. Place keywords carefully throughout your profile, not just in one section. This will ensure that the Search Engine Optimiser on LinkedIn is more likely to find you.  That being said, do not repeat the same keywords too often, but rather consider using synonyms or descriptions. No one likes reading a profile with the exact same things being said over and over again – it’s a sure way to lose a potential employer’s interest. 

 

3. Advertise Your Relevant Experience

This is where you take those CV bullet points and add some beef to it. Expand on what you did to obtain those special skills, but don’t go overboard. Stick to 2-4 sentences.

This is the place to highlight your community involvement, showing your 'human' side and passions put to use while giving back. 'Giving back' is becoming as important to potential employers as having the relevant qualifications and experience. You can impress employers even more by adding some extra relevant keywords into the mix. Do a Google search to find examples of great key- and action words that will make your profile stand out.  

 

4. Showcase Your Work

Whether it’s through the use of a video, portfolio, or links to publications, consider giving some visual proof of the work you have accomplished in the past. Make your profile stand out among others while simultaneously authenticating your niche skills.

This is where most of your effort should go into when setting up your profile, as you need your public image to be appealing, well-presented and professional. Use unique words and don’t copy a job description from another profile or website.

 

 5. Education and Training

The main point here is to be relevant. There is no need to show your matric results if you’ve completed post-matric courses and worked in the field for over 5 years. At this point people care more about what you have recently received training and experience in. As we live in an ever-changing and ever-digital world, it is essential to show how you are keeping up with industry changes. Companies don't want to hire someone who has to be taught the basics.

Add special accomplishments, training and other courses you have taken over the past few years to assist in building your profile. LinkedIn allows certificates to be uploaded and displayed, so use that feature to its full advantage. But be sure not to include personal information that's best kept private.

 

 6. Avoiding Common Mistakes

Spamming people with unrelated messages, not spending enough time on your profile (updating it regularly), or not following-up with connections are all avoidable mistakes. Set time aside on a regular basis to update your profile, and stay professional and respectful in all interactions.

When sending a message to a new connection, make sure the conversation will be relevant to them. Once your messages are seen as spam, you might lose a lot of valuable potential connections. 

 

7. Request Recommendations

Word of mouth is one of the best methods of advertising, and recommendations are one of the best ways to advertise your work and experience. Request as many recommendations as you can from people who you've worked with and for in the past, in order to provide future employers with a guarantee of your capabilities, while also shedding some light on your work relationships.

Obtaining a basket of references will also give you the luxury of picking those that are most favourable in representing you.

 

Conclusion

Creating a LinkedIn profile is no throwaway task and putting in the proper amount of time and effort can greatly benefit your career. This is not a place for immediate results, but rather a platform for you to build, maintain and cultivate long-lasting professional relationships that will guide you through the various stages of your career.

 

 

Imperium University is an accredited online university that offers flexible and affordable degrees to fit your lifestyle and your budget. Go to imperium-uni.com to find out more and talk to one of our advisors!