In the professional world, LinkedIn has become an integral part of job hunting and networking, for both businesses and candidates. The LinkedIn profile has thus become an extension of the modern resume, so having a polished profile can set you apart from the rest.
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression for potential employers, clients and colleagues. Giving it the upgrade it deserves will instantly increase your profile’s impact on all who click onto it. In this guide, we will be going over everything you need to know to give your LinkedIn profile a competitive edge.
Craft a stellar CV
Your CV is likely to be the first thing people take a proper look at when encountering your LinkedIn profile for the first time, so it has to stand out. Use a resume builder to format your education, work experience, professional achievements and related skills in a readable, accessible way. Highlight your main responsibilities, but keep it brief. Your resume on your LinkedIn profile should span your career in a nutshell, but you can tailor specific details in cover letters to employers or job applications.
Use a professional headshot as your profile picture
A corporate headshot should be your next priority when upgrading your profile. Choose a high-resolution photo that clearly shows your face. Make sure you select a headshot that makes you seem approachable and professional. Avoid wearing casual clothing or using filters as well, as poorly shot or edited photos can make for a bad first impression.
Contrastingly, a well-lit photo with a clean background goes a long way in establishing credibility. You can blur or remove image backgrounds using simple tools on apps like Adobe Express to create a free headshot that means business.
Craft a unique headline & leverage keywords
Your headline is your way of communicating your unique value proposition. It’s a great way to tell potential employers what you can add to their project or enterprise and give them a glimpse into the person behind the profile. Use this space to your advantage and craft a catchy, attention-grabbing message that highlights more than just your job title.
Keywords are search terms with a high search volume from your target audience. They help optimize your profile for search engines to make them easily discoverable. Use them strategically in your headline and across your profile. There are many online tools and guides that can help you find the specific keywords best suited to your profile and industry.
Write a clear and concise ‘About’ section
Your ‘About’ section is your chance to flesh out your personal story and let employers know what your work is about, where you’ve come from, and what makes you tick. Write in the first person and make it easy for whoever clicks on your profile to instantly know your key achievements and professional highlights.
Ensuring this intro is engaging and written with a refreshingly authentic voice can also help you make the strongest first impression possible. And if you want to look extra professional, consider using industry vocabulary to reinforce your skill sets and competencies further.
Flaunt your achievements in ‘Experience’ & ‘Featured’ sections
The ‘Experience’ section of your LinkedIn profile should be an engaging list of achievements that clearly demonstrates your abilities. Use bullet points and examples to keep it concise and tangible. Include what you achieved for each, and a brief description of how you were involved. After all, LinkedIn is a digital marketplace like any other, so sell yourself the same way you see products advertised – with all your assets on display. Make sure an employer reaches out to you, instead of your competition.
The ‘Featured’ section is a perfect place to display your best work. Use it to share your portfolio, a LinkedIn post with high engagement or a presentation you’re particularly proud of. This section is all about highlighting your recent achievements and activities, so keep it regularly updated.
Build A 5-Star Network
Who you connect with on LinkedIn reflects who you are. It can greatly influence how a recruiter looks at a profile. Connect with colleagues, business leaders and professionals in your industry. Make your connection requests personal and memorable, with an enticing opening line that references something specific on their profile or previous work you found particularly inspiring. Another great way to make new connections is by commenting on posts and sharing content you found valuable or interesting.
Give & Request Recommendations
Recommendations from colleagues and managers will be looked at favourably by potential employers and recruiters. Request recommendations from anyone that can vouch for your skill in a particular task or involvement in a previous project. Be specific when asking for recommendations and write them for others, to further build professional relationships and a community of mutual respect.
Share Skills & Endorsements
Like recommendations it’s important to use your network to build your profile through the skills and endorsements section. List your industry-specific abilities and career goals. You can then request others in your network to endorse your skills to further upgrade your profile. Remember to focus on skills related to the jobs you are looking for, so you don’t dilute your profile with excess information.
Customise Your LinkedIn URL
A unique feature that many LinkedIn users don’t know about is the ability to customise the URL used to access the page. Having a short URL that matches the name of the profile instantly makes it seem more professional. It also helps when sharing the link address as it is easy to remember and presents a simple and clean line to print on business cards.
Levelling Up: LinkedIn Style
A strong LinkedIn profile is the equivalent to a strong handshake in the digital world. It’s a great place to connect with people in your industry and find relevant opportunities.
In this guide we’ve covered a comprehensive list of strategies you can use to make your profile stand out amongst the rest. Optimising your profile for search engines will also make it easier for potential employers and recruiters to find your page in the sea of candidates. Taking the time to upgrade your profile so that it accurately reflects who you are and who you want to become is key to finding the perfect role.