Posted by Stephanie on November 4, 2016
LinkedIn is a platform in which you can share about your professional accomplishments and skills. You can connect or attract clients or business partners, or potential future employers. Make sure your professional LinkedIn profile is something worth seeing, and an accurate representation of you. The following are tips to help make sure your profile is refined and professional
IMPROVE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LINKEDIN PROFILE
1. UPDATE YOUR PROFILE PICTURE
Your profile picture is generally the first thing people see when they look at your profile on LinkedIn, and it is a representation of you. Make a good first impression.
Your photo should be clean and professional. Stay away from selfies, cropping your face out of a group photo, or any pictures with your pets or family and friends. It’s recommended you take a photo from the chest up, looking at the camera. Just as you would to a professional job, dress appropriately and professionally. Relate your attire to what you might actually wear to work. For example, an artist may wear something more casual, but the CEO of a large financial firm would likely want to suit up for their photo.
2. MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND CUSTOMERS
It’s recommended to have a minimum of 25 LinkedIn connections to have a well-established profile. You can connect with friends, coworkers, and business partners you work/have worked with. The more connections you have, the greater networking power you have.
3. JOIN LINKEDIN GROUPS
One unique aspect of LinkedIn that everyone should be taking advantage of is joining groups. It’s a great idea to join different groups related to the industry you’re in, as well as groups related to your department, such as marketing or accounting groups. Joining groups is a great way to connect with people in your field of work. You can start conversations, ask questions, or promote your business in these groups.
4. BUILD & COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE
EXPERIENCE AND TITLE
Make sure to include your job title at the top of your profile. Additionally, add your work experience and keep it updated. The more experience you share, the more skills people can see that you have and the more qualified you look. If you have volunteer experience, add that to your profile as well, as it makes you even more unique. Finally, add your skills and endorsements—and have others endorse you. These will inform others what you’re capable of that they may not have known just by looking at your experience.
SUMMARY
This part of LinkedIn is your chance to personalize your profile. You have the freedom to make your summary brief and simple, or more descriptive and creative. Keep in mind that when others read this it should give them an idea of who you are and what you’ve accomplished in your career thus far.
LEVELS OF EXPERTISE
LinkedIn has created different levels of expertise to your profile to rank its completion, starting with (1) Beginner, (2) Intermediate, (3) Advanced, (4) Expert, and (5) All-Star. To completely complete your profile and reach the highest level, All-star, you have to:
- Add a profile photo
- List 2 or more positions you’ve held, with job descriptions for each
- Have 5 or more skills on your profile
- Write a summary about yourself
- Fill out your industry and postal/zip code
- Add your education experience
- Have 50 or more connections
5. INTERACT WITH OTHERS
Share posts about yourself (career related) and your interests. For instance, you could share about a work project that you have done, or how your department participated in a charity event for a cause you’re passionate about this past weekend. However, remember that LinkedIn shouldn’t be treated like Facebook—keep your posts professional. Avoid taking any political stances or promoting your religion. This is a professional platform and you wouldn’t want to scare away any potential business partners or employers with strongly opinionated religious or political opinions.
