LinkedIn is a powerful networking site that can help you connect with potential employers and clients. To maximize your LinkedIn profile’s usefulness, make sure to follow these tips.
Use a professional photo
LinkedIn members with a photo receive 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. Including a photo on your profile is obviously important, but it’s just as important to upload the right photo. When someone is looking to hire you, the first thing they will do is look you up online. Because your headshot is one of the most important pieces of marketing material you have, make sure it counts. Dress for the job you want. Make sure the lighting is good, and you’re the only one in the photo. (It’s not called a headshot because you cropped out all the extra heads.) Enlist a friend to help you get a great photo that portrays the image you desire, or if you have the resources, hire a professional photographer who knows how to take great headshots.
Write a great headline
The headline is the first introduction someone has to you on LinkedIn (after your photo), so make the effort to maximize the impact. Make your headline specific and concise, highlighting what you’re known for or have achieved. You can use your title, but don’t stop there, especially if your job title doesn’t reflect what you do or what you want to do. For example, you might be a “project engineer,” but what you really do is “oversee a portfolio of international contracts in the construction and defense space.”
Add keywords to your profile
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professionals, but it’s only as powerful as the information you put into it. Keywords are essential to LinkedIn profiles because they help LinkedIn match you with potential employers or clients. You can use keywords in your profile headline, summary, and experience sections. When choosing keywords, think about what you want to be found for. For example, if you’re an accountant, you might want to use words like “accounting,” “bookkeeping,” “finance,” and “taxes.” If you’re a web developer, you might want to use words like “web development,” “programming,” “coding,” and “tech.”
Add a link to your portfolio
Adding a link to your website or portfolio in your LinkedIn profile is a great way to let potential employers or clients see what you’re capable of. If you don’t have a portfolio, it might be time to create one. Start by compiling all of your best work into one cohesive portfolio. Then, create a website or online portfolio to host your work. Once you have your portfolio set up, add the link to your LinkedIn profile. This will help you stand out from the crowd and will show potential employers that you’re serious about your career.
Use LinkedIn groups
One of the most powerful features of LinkedIn is the ability to join groups with like-minded individuals. These groups can be a great resource for networking, learning, and finding job opportunities. Join groups related to your industry, and then look for groups that align with your specific needs. In the Groups tab of your LinkedIn account, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Groups.” You can browse these groups by category or search for a group by name.
