A standout LinkedIn profile is a super important resource to have in today’s business world. In most industries, it serves as your digital resume and a gateway to expanding your professional network. And with a few simple improvements, you can enhance your profile and improve your ability to network, land jobs, or build an audience.
- Start with a captivating headline
Your headline is arguably the most critical part of your LinkedIn profile. It’s what people see in search results and when you leave comments. Instead of simply stating your job title as “Marketing Manager,” jazz it up to reflect your distinct professional identity. For example, “Dynamic Marketing Manager Specializing in Digital Brand Growth.” This not only captures what you do but also highlights your expertise and area of specialization, making your profile stand out in a long list of generic titles.
- Write a compelling summary
The summary section is your chance to tell your professional story. Here, you want to go beyond a list of skills and job titles. Share your professional journey, your achievements, and even your future aspirations.
When creating a summary, use a friendly, conversational tone and engage the reader with interesting facts about your career path. You should emphasize how your experiences have shaped your professional identity and where you aim to go next. This narrative style can make your profile memorable and relatable.
- Utilize keywords strategically
To improve your visibility on LinkedIn, incorporate relevant keywords throughout your profile. These keywords should be tailored to your industry and expertise and include specific skills, tools, job titles, and technologies. For example, if you’re in digital marketing, keywords could include “SEO,” “Google Analytics,” or “content marketing.” By weaving these keywords into your headline, summary, and experience sections, you make it easier for the right people to find you through LinkedIn’s search function.
- Use a professional photo and customize your URL
First impressions matter, and on LinkedIn, your profile photo is an integral part of that impression. Use a professional headshot that conveys friendliness and professionalism. Thanks to new technology, you can actually create free AI headshots using online tools. This is a great option if you don’t have the time or funds to hire a headshot photographer.
Alongside a great photo, customize your LinkedIn URL to include your name or a professional moniker. This customization not only looks more professional on business cards and resumes but also makes it easier for people to find and remember your profile.
- Showcase your achievements
Each job entry on your profile provides an opportunity to showcase what you’ve accomplished. Instead of just describing your duties, highlight your achievements using specific metrics and action verbs. For instance, “Led a team that increased company revenue by 25 percent through strategic business partnerships and innovations.” These bullet points should demonstrate your impact and showcase your role in achieving significant outcomes.
- Regularly update your profile
An updated profile reflects an active and engaged professional. Continuously add new skills, certifications, projects, and professional experiences. These updates keep your profile fresh and show your ongoing commitment to your career development. They also increase your chances of appearing in your connections’ news feeds, which can remind your network about your expertise and potentially open up new networking opportunities.
Speaking of updates, there’s one element that most people forget to refresh: their profile picture. While we all like to look as young as possible, you aren’t doing yourself any favors by continuing to use a profile picture that no longer looks like you. You want your profile picture to accurately reflect who you are today, which will create a greater sense of consistency and familiarity when people meet you in person (or on a video meeting) after seeing your profile online.
- Engage with your network
Engagement on LinkedIn doesn’t just boost your visibility – it also strengthens your connections and establishes your reputation as a thought leader. Share content that is relevant to your field, comment on updates from your connections, and participate in discussions within groups. This interaction shows that you are not only knowledgeable but also active in your industry.
Adding it all up
Your LinkedIn profile is the greatest asset you have for architecting a powerful professional image online. Either you use it to your advantage, or it could actually detract from your otherwise pristine offline image.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much to elevate your LinkedIn profile. By paying attention to a few key factors – including the headshot, headline, summary section, and the content you share – you can get good results.
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