For entrepreneurs, B2B sales professionals, consultants, freelancers and job seekers, having a LinkedIn profile that is interesting, dynamic and highlights your talents and skills is one more way to get noticed.
Having a profile on LinkedIn is very different than on other social media sites. Designed specifically for professionals to interact with each other, more and more companies of all sizes are recruiting and hiring through the social media platform.
To create a meaningful and effective profile there are several guidelines to use. By staying within the guidelines and avoiding common mistakes that can be counterproductive to your personal branding efforts it won’t take long to develop a profile to provide the information you want people to see.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Job Offers
While a business won’t hire on a picture alone, having the right picture adds to the look of your profile page. As a guideline, choose a photo that is current and that portrays you as a professional. This may not be a business suit and a formal look, but it should be appropriate for your profession and your industry or specialization.
It is a good idea to have the photo taken by a professional. Selfies, pictures your Mom took at the last family gathering or pictures that are blurry on too large or small for the frame are also mistakes to avoid.
Remember, this is a professional social network. Don’t use your favorite personal picture or a picture of a pet or a child as your profile picture. Also, avoid funny pictures in costumes, at parties or other types of activities as they will send a message to a prospective employer or client.
Name and Headline
Use your first and last name and a middle name or initial if you choose. It is critical if you use a nickname or go by another name to avoid this or to use it in quotation marks after your actual first name. In general, only include these types of names if you are known in your career and your profession by this name. If the name is just something your close friends and family use; leave it off.
The headline is 120 characters that describes you professionally. This should include your professional title and anything you wish to highlight. Avoid using funny terms or informal titles to your position, don’t just make a list of terms separated by commas.
For example, a writer may include as his or her headline “Accomplished, freelance writer who turns ideas into bestsellers. Published in XYZ Magazine and on the Amazon bestseller list.” This is going to create interest in reading further when individuals are searching for a writer.
Background and Experience
There is a limit of 2000 characters in the summary, but you don’t have to use them all just to fill in the space. Keep your summary clear, concise and to the point, including very short highlights of past and current jobs. It is also a good idea, if possible, to add some links to backup this information. Make sure to also add contact information including your preferred business number, social media contact information and an email.
Experience is similar to a resume, listing the titles of the jobs you have had including company names, locations and years with the business. Keep it short and concise as well and add media where possible. This can include information from other websites on being recognized for achievements, YouTube videos that may highlight your professional skills and knowledge as well as articles in which you are quoted or interviewed.
The projects section allows you to bring more information to the profile about your skills, your passions and your interests. Be specific in describing projects and give measurable data where possible.
Education and skills are similar to the format used above. Make sure specifics are indicated such as educational institutions, degrees earned and any special awards or accomplishments. Skills are identifiable attributes or key talents that people can provide recommendations on based on your interactions.
Finally, you will build connections and join groups over time. Remember, joining groups and making connections allows you to actively market yourself, contributing in meaningful ways that will allow potential customers or employers to know you better. With a professional profile in place joining groups and making connections will be much easier, just remember to participate in the discussions and share your expertise and knowledge.
