When I first set up my LinkedIn profile I dug out my slightly out of date CV and did a quick ‘cut and paste’ job. I didn’t really think about it being more than just an online version of my CV. However, LinkedIn now has over 756 million members in more than 200 countries so your profile is much more than a static page or document like your CV.
You can add status updates and link them to the ‘featured’ section of your profile. You can receive recommendations and interact with others – very much like other social networking sites. You can even create a memorable URL for your profile so it becomes your very own personal website – I’ll cover how to do that in a bit.
So how should your LinkedIn profile differ from your CV?
Quite simply it should be less formal. Think of your profile as being your a website just about you. You want the reader to get a feel for who you are and what you’re passionate about. Consider the tone and language you use and the types of pictures and videos you feature on it.
10 tips to get your LinkedIn profile up to scratch
1. Keywords
Recruiters can search LinkedIn by position titles, location and skills. They can even search for candidates with a certain combination of skills. So it’s important to think about your keywords. Type some keywords into the LinkedIn search bar and see what comes up. There are lots of useful articles on keywords but click here for a good one.
2. Profile picture
It was always considered a bit strange to include a picture with your CV but your LinkedIn profile definitely needs a picture. Ensure it’s a recent photo and it accurately represents you. It may mean you need a professional photo taken but you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a decent one. I’d always say smile too! Technical bit – recommended size is 400 x 400 pixels or larger. Check how it looks on your desktop, mobile and iPad as it is cropped differently depending on the device.
3. Cover photo
This is your background photo. You want this to grab attention or help your page stand out. This could be a graphic (quite easy to design in Canva)(link to Canva?) or a photo of a special location. Technical info – profile cover photos recommended size is 1584 x 396 pixels.
4. Headline
Think about this carefully. You might consider NOT using your job title. You can be creative and cover what you do or what skills you offer. Do a little research and get inspiration and ideas from others. Think of those keywords.
5. About
Make use of your about section. This is where you want to showcase YOU. Include a summary of what you do, what you are about, what skills you have. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself here. Use powerful, dynamic words and adjectives such as passionate, creative, experienced, leadership, specialise, expert, motivated.
6. Connections
Don’t be afraid to connect with people. Ensure you make meaningful connections though as you don’t want to spam people you don’t actually know. Include a message explaining why you want to connect and how it will benefit them.
7. Endorsements
The best way to get endorsements is to endorse others but like any endorsements or recommendations you want them to be genuine and add value to your profile. Only endorse others you feel genuinely deserve it.
8. Recommendations
These add a lot of value to your profile. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations but personalise your request when sending them out. It’s a great way of keeping in touch with people you have worked with in the past. And you never know, touching base may lead to something else.
9. Personalise your LinkedIn URL
Something I mentioned at the start of this blog but it’s really useful if you want to include a link to your profile on your email signature, website or social media. Click on ‘edit public profile & URL’ on your profile page and go to ‘edit your custom URL’. It’s easy to do and looks more professional. Your custom URL must contain 3-100 letters or numbers. Don’t use spaces, symbols or special characters.
10. Keep it up to date
Ensure your profile is fully updated, accurate and don’t forget about it. Go back to it every few months and see if it needs any changes. Did you complete any online courses or learning during lockdown? Then add them in. You can also add accomplishments and volunteer experience if you have any.
Lime 