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The Power of a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Tips for Job Seekers and Professionals

By Jeff BonanoPublished about a year ago 17 min read
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The Power of a Strong LinkedIn Profile
Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash

In today's digital world, LinkedIn has become a vital tool for professionals looking to advance their careers, make new connections, and stay up-to-date with industry news and trends. With over 875 million users worldwide, a strong LinkedIn profile is more important than ever. As companies regularly lay off people or people choose new career paths, the number of people using LinkedIn is increasing rapidly even faster, making it a great place to connect with others in a professional environment and compete to stand out. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, these eight tips can help you improve your LinkedIn profile and stand out to potential employers and connections without paying for an upgraded membership.

1. Start with a Strong Headline

Your LinkedIn headline is a small section that is viewable in searches and is one of the first things people see when they come across your profile. And it can make a big difference in whether they decide to learn more about you or move on. Therefore, crafting a solid and compelling headline that grabs attention and sets you apart from the competition is crucial. Start at this point to begin the standing out process.

Be Clear and Concise

Your headline should be clear and concise, briefly describing who you are and what you do. Avoid jargon or overly complicated language that may confuse or alienate potential connections. Instead, use simple, straightforward language that accurately reflects your professional brand and expertise.

Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition

Your headline should be unique and reflect what makes you stand out. Ask yourself: "What is my unique selling proposition? What sets me apart from others in my field?" Your headline should emphasize your strengths, skills, and experience. For example, "Award-Winning Digital Marketing Strategist" or "Dedicated Healthcare Executive with 20 Years of Experience."

Use Keywords

Keywords are essential to help your headline rank higher in search results. Consider the keywords relevant to your industry, profession, or target audience, and incorporate them into your headline. For example, if you're a web developer, you may want to include words like "front-end," "back-end," or "full-stack" in your headline.

Show Your Personality

Spoiler alert: We aren't living in the 50s anymore. You don't have to sound so serious and plain.

Your headline should reflect your personality and brand; it's ok to spice things up with some humor, creativity, or personality into your headline. However, your tone and style should suit your industry or profession. For example, if you work in a more traditional industry like finance or law, keep your tone more professional.

Be Specific

Being specific in your headline can help you stand out from the competition and provide a more accurate description of your skills and experience. Instead of using generic phrases like "experienced professional" or "results-driven leader," be more specific and highlight your achievements, accomplishments, or credentials. For example, "Award-Winning Graphic Designer with 10+ Years of Experience."

Include Your Target Audience

Your headline should speak directly to your target audience, so consider who you're trying to attract with your profile. For example, if you're a freelance writer targeting businesses, you may want to include words like "B2B" or "corporate" in your headline to clarify who your target audience is.

Test and Refine Your Headline

This part may take some time, and that's perfectly ok. Once you revamp everything else, you will probably still be making adjustments here. Feel free to test and refine your headline to see what works best. Experiment with different keywords, phrases, and styles to see what gets the best response from your audience. Keep track of your analytics to see how many views, clicks, and engagements your profile receives, and make adjustments accordingly.

2. Use a Professional Profile Photo

By Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Your profile photo is another crucial element of your LinkedIn profile, which is often your first impression on potential employers, recruiters, and business contacts. Therefore, creating a profile photo showcasing your personality and professionalism is vital. How do you beef up that photo and make it stand out? Let's take a look!

Dress Professionally

Your profile photo should reflect your professional image, so dress accordingly. Choose an outfit for a job interview or a professional networking event. Avoid casual or overly revealing clothing; opt for neutral colors that complement your skin tone. Save those Anime avatars and Friday night party photos for Facebook or Discord.

Choose a Clear Background

A clear and uncluttered background can make a big difference in the overall quality of your profile photo. Choose a plain, neutral background that doesn't distract from your face. Avoid busy or distracting backgrounds that can take away from your professional image. You don't have to have a solid color, just make sure it isn't distracting and unprofessional.

Have you ever seen those profile images that you have to do a double-take to confirm if it's a picture of a person? It might look cool, but it will get passed up quickly if someone views your profile on a mobile device.

Use Good Lighting

Good lighting is essential for a high-quality profile photo. Avoid harsh or direct lighting that can create unflattering shadows. Instead, choose soft, diffused lighting that highlights your face and enhances your natural features. Take your photo outside in natural light or use a professional lighting setup.

Keep the warmth of your lighting the same if you can. For example, the amber glow from your dining room table at night will have a different color light than your bright white selfie ring light. Mixing the color of your lights can have a subtle yet unflattering look.

It would help if you used at least a 3-point lighting setup. One light either in front or just off to the side, one much dimmer (or diffused) light opposite and down from the first light to lighten those shadows, and one just as bright as the first that is above and behind you, placed off to the side to help you stand out from the background.

Show Your Face

Your face should be the main focus of your profile photo. Avoid photos that are too far away or obscure your face with hats, sunglasses, or other accessories. Your photo should be a headshot showing your face and shoulders, with a clear view of your eyes.

Use a High-Quality Camera

A high-quality camera can make a big difference in the overall quality of your profile photo. Avoid using low-quality smartphone cameras or webcam photos. Instead, use a high-quality camera that produces sharp, clear images. If you have one of those newer phones on the market, that may also be adequate, provided you have good enough lighting.

Show Your Personality

While your profile photo should be professional, it's also an opportunity to showcase your personality. Choose an image that captures your essence and conveys your professionalism. Smile naturally and avoid forced or fake expressions.

Get Feedback

Getting feedback from others can help you choose the best profile photo. Ask friends, family, or colleagues for their opinion on which picture looks the most professional and appealing. Consider their feedback and make adjustments as needed.

3. Customize Your LinkedIn URL

By LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

One way to enhance your LinkedIn profile is by customizing your LinkedIn URL. A customized LinkedIn URL can help you build your brand, make your profile more easily discoverable, and give your profile a more polished and professional look. Yet, it's often an option that people overlook. And in a world of robot accounts, mixed with having a new profile or just not many connections, your profile might get skimmed over because it may appear fake to those you try to connect with.

Claim Your LinkedIn URL

The first step in customizing your LinkedIn URL is to claim it. LinkedIn assigns each user a default URL that includes random letters and numbers. To claim your customized URL, go to your LinkedIn profile and click on the "Edit public profile & URL" button at the top right of your screen. From there, you can customize your URL by adding your name or relevant keywords related to your profession.

Keep It Simple

When customizing your LinkedIn URL, keep it simple and easy to remember. Use your full name or a shortened version of your name that's easy to spell and remember. Avoid using nicknames, initials, or complicated words that can be difficult to remember or spell.

For example, "linkedin.com/in/bigmacddythesibarianhuskeyluver19eghty3/" is not ideal for a LinkedIn URL, and chances are even you will have to copy/paste it to get it right.

Avoid Numbers and Special Characters

While we are on the topic of keeping things simple, when customizing your LinkedIn URL, avoid using numbers and special characters. They can also make your URL look unprofessional and difficult to remember or type correctly. Stick to letters only to keep your URL clean and easy to remember.

Use Relevant Keywords

Adding relevant keywords related to your profession can help your LinkedIn profile appear in search results. Consider adding relevant keywords related to your job title, industry, or areas of expertise. Doing so will make finding your profile easier for recruiters and potential employers.

Update Your Other Profiles

Once you've customized your LinkedIn URL, update your other social media profiles with the same URL wherever you can. Similar URL elements will help establish consistency across all your online profiles and make it easier for people to find and connect with you.

Share Your URL

Finally, share your customized LinkedIn URL with others. Include it in your email signature, business card, or resume. Make it easier for people to find and connect with you on LinkedIn.

4. Optimize Your About Section

By Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Your LinkedIn profile's about section is one of the essential parts of your profile. It's where you can introduce yourself, showcase your skills and experience, and demonstrate your value to potential employers and clients. Optimizing your about section on LinkedIn will make a powerful first impression and attract more opportunities.

Start with a Strong Hook

Your about section should start with a compelling hook that captures the reader's attention and entices them to keep reading. It could be a thought-provoking statement, a brief story, or a bold claim that showcases your expertise and value.

For example, "I'm a digital marketing strategist with a track record of generating 200% more leads for my clients" or "I'm a passionate educator dedicated to transforming student learning experiences."

Showcase Your Unique Selling Proposition

Your about summary should showcase your unique selling proposition, which sets you apart from others in your field. Talk about your specialized skills, unique approach to problem-solving, or industry expertise.

For example, "I specialize in helping startups scale their businesses through strategic marketing initiatives" or "As a seasoned HR professional, I have extensive experience in building high-performing teams that drive organizational success."

Highlight Your Achievements and Results

You should highlight your achievements and results to showcase your value to potential employers and clients. Add some of your work experience, awards, certifications, or other relevant accomplishments.

For example, "As a sales executive, I consistently exceeded my sales targets by 30% year-over-year" or "I led the development of a new product line that generated $5 million in revenue in its first year."

Keep it Concise and Engaging

This section should also be concise and engaging, using bullet points and short paragraphs to break up the text and make it easy to read. Avoid using jargon or complex terminology that may confuse readers. Use a conversational tone and focus on the benefits you can offer potential employers and clients.

Include a Call-to-Action

Your about section should include a call to action encouraging readers to connect with you, visit your website, or learn more about your services. Doing so can help you generate more leads and opportunities from your LinkedIn profile.

For example, "Let's connect and discuss how I can help you achieve your business goals" or "Visit my website to learn more about my services and how I can support your organization."

5. Showcase Your Skills and Achievements

By Raul De Los Santos on Unsplash

Skills and endorsements are a great way to demonstrate your expertise and credibility. You will want to effectively highlight your skills and endorsements on LinkedIn much like you would in a Resume.

Choose Relevant Skills

When choosing skills to highlight on LinkedIn, focus on those relevant to your profession and industry. Consider the essential skills for your job and those that set you apart from others in your field. LinkedIn allows you to add up to 50 skills to your profile, but focusing on fewer highly relevant skills is better. Each position you list under the experience section will allow you to include up to 5 of the skills you have added to your list of skills.

Get Endorsements

Endorsements are a way for others to vouch for your skills and expertise. Encourage colleagues, clients, and business contacts to endorse your skills on LinkedIn. Endorsements will increase your credibility and make your profile more appealing to potential employers and business partners.

If you need help getting endorsements, offer one to a colleague in exchange for one from them.

Prioritize Top Skills

LinkedIn lets you prioritize your top skills, which are displayed first in the skills section. Prioritizing your top skills will help draw attention to your most relevant and valuable skills. Consider highlighting skills in high demand in your field or those most important for your current job.

Show Evidence of Skills

To further highlight your skills and expertise, provide evidence of your accomplishments and experience. Share examples of projects you've worked on or achievements you've made that demonstrate your skills in action. Adding links to a portfolio or demo in the featured section will give others a better understanding of your skills and the impact you can make in your field.

Update Regularly

Regularly updating your skills and endorsements on LinkedIn is crucial to staying relevant and up-to-date. As your skills and experience evolve, update your profile, showing you're committed to continuous learning and growth in your field.

Mix it up a Bit

Be sure to include hard and soft skills relevant to your profession, and ask colleagues, clients, and former employers for endorsements to add credibility to your profile. Additionally, consider taking LinkedIn skill assessments to demonstrate your proficiency in specific areas.

6. Engage with Your Connections

LinkedIn Emojis as of March 2023

Engaging with your connections and posts on LinkedIn is an excellent way to build your professional network, establish your expertise, and increase your visibility on the platform. Regularly engaging with your connections and their content improves your chances of being noticed by potential employers, business partners, and clients. And there are a few tricks for engaging with your connections and posts on LinkedIn effectively. You may also be able to quickly grow your contacts to the coveted "500+" mark.

Like and Comment on Posts

One of the easiest ways to engage with your connections on LinkedIn is by liking and commenting on their posts. When you like or comment on someone's post, it shows that you're interested in their content and helps to establish a connection. It's also an opportunity to share your thoughts and expertise.

Share Posts

Sharing other people's posts is another great way to engage with your connections and expand your network. Sharing a post shows that you value the content and want to share it with your network. It's also an opportunity to add your commentary and start a conversation. Do this also with responses from others who leave a comment on your posts. Turning posts into a discussion will impact you and them more.

Send Personal Messages

Sending personal messages to your connections is a great way to build more personal relationships and establish deeper connections. You can use messages to introduce yourself, share your thoughts on a topic, or ask for advice or feedback.

Personal messages also allow you to stay in touch with your connections and build your network over time. If you are trying to connect with them, including a non-cookie-cutter message will increase your odds of getting them to approve your connection request.

To be clear, starting with any sales pitch or getting too personal is a horrible way to make a first impression.

Participate in Groups

LinkedIn groups are a marvelous way to connect with like-minded professionals in your industry or field. Participating in groups allows you to engage with others and share your expertise on specific topics. You can also use groups to learn from others and gain new insights into your field.

The benefits of engaging with your connections and posts on LinkedIn are many. By regularly engaging with others on the platform, you can:

  • Increase your visibility and exposure to potential employers, clients, and business partners.
  • Establish your expertise and credibility in your field.
  • Build deeper connections and expand your professional network.
  • Learn from others and gain new insights into your industry or field.
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in your industry.

7. Regularly Update Your Profile

By Markus Winkler on Unsplash

As briefly mentioned earlier, it's essential to regularly update your LinkedIn profile to ensure it reflects your current skills, experience, and achievements. Set a reminder to review your profile every six months and make updates as needed. Updating the content of your profile will help you stay top-of-mind with your connections and keep your profile up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

It's essential to keep it up-to-date to make the best impression on potential employers, business partners, and clients. Regularly updating your LinkedIn profile has numerous benefits, while neglecting to do so can harm your professional reputation. Let's look at some benefits of regularly updating your LinkedIn profile.

Improved Visibility

LinkedIn algorithms prioritize profiles that are active and updated regularly. Regularly updating your profile increases the likelihood of appearing in search results and being noticed by potential employers, clients, and business partners.

Professional Credibility

An updated profile that showcases your latest achievements and skills demonstrates that you're active and engaged in your profession. And it helps to establish your professional credibility and expertise.

Expanded Network

Regularly updating your profile can help you expand your network by attracting more connections and building deeper relationships with existing ones. It also lets you stay in touch with former colleagues and expand your reach to potential employers and business partners.

Better Job Opportunities

An updated profile with detailed information about your skills, experience, and accomplishments can attract job opportunities and recruiters. By keeping your profile up-to-date, you can increase your chances of finding your dream job or landing exciting new opportunities.

You should be aware of some negative impacts too if you want to utilize your LinkedIn profile but choose not to update it regularly.

Outdated Information

Neglecting to update your profile can lead to outdated information that misrepresents your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Old information can lead to missed opportunities and potential misunderstandings with potential employers and business partners.

Reduced Visibility

Like most social platforms, LinkedIn likes to change up its algorithms. One constant thing is that only active or updated profiles will likely appear in search results or be recommended by those algorithms. Not addressing this reduces your visibility on the platform and decreases your chances of being noticed by potential employers, clients, and business partners.

Professional Stagnation

Neglecting to update your profile sends a message that you're not actively engaged in your profession or interested in growing your career. It's one thing to show you've been in the same role for a long time, but if you can't highlight that you've been doing more than just sitting behind the same desk for the last ten years, you can hurt your professional reputation and hinder your opportunities for growth and advancement.

8. Complete All Sections of Your LinkedIn Profile

By Bas van den Eijkhof on Unsplash

To wrap things up, completing all sections of your LinkedIn profile is essential to maximize the platform's benefits. Each section offers an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements. The more complete your profile is, the more attractive you will be to potential employers, clients, and business partners. Some critical sections you should fully complete include the following:

  • Headline and About: These sections are the first things potential employers and business partners see when they visit your profile. They should clearly and concisely communicate your professional brand and value proposition.
  • Experience: This section should showcase your relevant work experience, accomplishments, and responsibilities. It's essential to provide specific details about your work history and achievements.
  • Education: This section highlights your educational background, including degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework.
  • Skills and Endorsements: This section showcases your skills and expertise and allows others to endorse your abilities.

In conclusion, your LinkedIn profile is valuable for professional growth and development. These eight tips can improve your profile and stand out to potential employers and connections. Remember to be authentic, professional, and engaging in your interactions, and you'll be on your way to building a solid and successful online presence.

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About the Creator

Jeff Bonano

An audiobook narrator now writer! I have all these ideas in my head, now it's time to share them. As a way to say thank you to those who subscribe and pledge, If you give me permission, I'll find a way to add your name to any of my stories!

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