If you’re already a LinkedIn user, you’ve probably done at least a small amount of surfing around the site and checked out other people’s profiles. One thing that always stands out, straight away, is a great-looking, All-Star profile. If you don’t know what I mean, take a look and I’m sure you will quickly see what it is that separates the ho-hum profiles from those that really draw attention. Your profile is the first impression many people will have of you, so having an impressive one is important.
If you want to kick things up a notch in terms of the look, functionality and ranking take note of these LinkedIn profile tips. If implementing these is outside of your comfort zone then you’ve come to the right place because creating outstanding LinkedIn profiles is precisely what we do.
Keep Your Profile Updated: It may have been a while since you were last on LinkedIn and even longer since you added anything new. Just like a website, your profile will attract more viewers and rank more favorably if it’s updated regularly. Taking a few minutes to add any new work experience or awards, to join a group or make some new connections will keep your presence relevant and fresh.
Add Video: There’s no doubt about it, people love anything interactive and video is a great way to add a touch of professionalism. Relevant video that shows some aspect of your work, projects you’ve worked on or a presentation you’ve given will make you work history more engaging and informative.
Optimize with Keywords: It won’t matter how often you add new content or whether you’ve included a dozen videos if you haven’t used relevant keyword terms in your profile. One of the most effective tips available is to include the keywords and phrases that people use when they search for someone in your industry with your skills or expertise. This will not only give you a boost within LinkedIn, but it will also move you up the search engine rankings, giving you greater visibility and exposure to the best jobs.
Identify Your Skills: LinkedIn has made this one of the easier LinkedIn profile tips to implement, as you can easily highlight your skills within the profile. Choose from LinkedIn’s list of popular skills and be sure to include any and all that are relevant to your profession or work experience. Just like the keyword terms you use to optimize your page, these skills are also terms that people will use to find qualified persons like yourself online.
Claim your Vanity URL: A vanity URL or public profile is just one more way to improve the likelihood of others finding you. The URL, which clearly states your name, makes it easier for potential connections to find you and is also a good way to make yourself more recognizable. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to claim your vanity URL
Pick a Great Picture: The last but not least recommendation is perhaps the easiest of all: improve your photo. If the photo you originally posted is looking a bit outdated, fuzzy or isn’t necessarily first-impression worthy, replace it with a picture that is clear and professional suit. Many people will often recognize a face before they will a name so you can improve the number of connections you make simply by updating your picture. If you have to do a selfie profile photo, here are some guidelines.