LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for millions of business people around the world. It’s easier than ever to connect to people you otherwise wouldn’t be able to connect with.
However, when someone is deciding whether or not to connect with you, they only have one thing to go on – your profile. Unless they know you personally, it’s your profile that will bring in connections or drive them away.
So, how to make your LinkedIn profile work for you?
- Use a professional photo
What image do you want to project? Your profile photo is the first point others will see, and will form the basis of their opinion of you. It isn’t the same as your Facebook photo. It’s a great idea to get a professional corporate photo, but at least it must be high quality and fit with your image. If you’re using LinkedIn to set up real life meetings, make sure that you will be recognised from your photo.
- Write an attention grabbing headline
Your name, photo and headline make up your profile summary. Until someone else clicks on your profile, this is all they will see, so it needs to catch their attention. Titles like Owner, Director, Manager, Coordinator etc. are too vague. Your headline needs to say what you actually do. How will others find you?
- Make your summary work for you
There is a huge variation in what people actually include in their summary, or if they even include one at all (LinkedIn doesn’t consider your profile complete without a summary though). Think of your profile like a news story: once you have captured their attention with a headline, what else should they know? There are no rules, include your personality!
- Include relevant experience
The rule for resumes is to include about the last 10 years’ experience. Older than that is no longer relevant. Conversely, if you only include the last couple of years, it can look like you have something to hide. Also think about what you are using LinkedIn for. Unless you are using it literally as a resume to get a job, you don’t need to include your tasks and duties. Instead, mention what you learned in the role, or major accomplishments. Keep it short and sweet.
- Update your education
If you are over the age of 21, don’t include your high school. Firstly, this tells people how old you are. Secondly, it shows a severe lack of commitment to your own professional development. Again, the rule is that education remains current for no longer than 10 years (at the most). If you did a certificate in business in 1994, you need to upgrade it. Consider recognition of prior learning (RPL) for your qualifications. If you have been doing the job, get recognised for it, and tell others that you’re qualified for what you do. If you’re a business owner or manager, you’re probably eligible for a Diploma of Business and/or Diploma of Management right now, without study. To have “Diploma of Business 2012” looks much better on your profile than just “Brisbane State High School 1983”.
- Include all your skills
Don’t be shy, list all the skills you have. Tell people what you can do – how else will they know? The best thing about listing skills is that others can now endorse you just by clicking on it. But you need to include your skills first, or you can’t be endorsed. This gives you increased credibility and visibility. When you endorse others, your profile image will appear on their page, showing that you have endorsed them for that skill.
- Ask for recommendations
Recommendations are even better skills endorsements. This is public testimonial of your work. You may find generous people who take it upon themselves to write a recommendation, or you may need to ask for it. Just click on the profile tab at the top of the page, then recommendations. Make sure you recommend others too!
- Include all your contact details
How do you want people to contact you? Make sure you include your phone number, email, website, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Presumably, you are on LinkedIn to connect with people, so make it easy.
