With over 450 million users, LinkedIn is the top professional social media platform around. In fact, a recent study showed that 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and validate potential job candidates. The study also showed that about 50% of people use it to search for jobs. So, is your LinkedIn profile up to speed?!
With those stats revealed, your LinkedIn profile could be the ticket to your next top-paying gig! Don’t let a poorly put-together LinkedIn account keep you from getting the job you deserve. The CGS Team is sharing 5 ways to make the most of your LinkedIn profile so you can stand out in the crowd. Make sure you check out the CGS Podcast Interview with Career Coach Lexi for her thoughts on LinkedIn!
#1 Use a professional headshot as your profile picture
According to LinkedIn expert Nicole Williams, “You’re seven times more likely to have your profile viewed if you have a picture”. With that being said, LinkedIn is not Facebook or Instagram. You want your profile picture to be a professional reputation of yourself. A headshot with a blazer or nice collared shirt will do nicely.
If you don’t have the funds to take professional headshots, get creative! Ask a co-worker to take a picture of you, shoulders and up, against a nice background at the office. You can also scour Craigslist or Fiverr for discount photographers. Most new photographers will give you pictures for free because they need the practice.
#2 List 5 or more skills, at minimum
Did you know that LinkedIn members with 5 or more skills receive up to 17 times more profile views than someone with less skills listed? Your list of skills isn’t just there to catch the attention of potential employers and recruiters, it also helps boost the visibility of your profile. At minimum, list 5 key skills that you currently excel in. After your skills are listed, the goal is to be endorsed for those skills. Fortunately, LinkedIn targets endorsers for the top skills you specify.
#3 Publish Articles
LinkedIn now allows any user to create articles and publish them to their feed. This is a great way to showcase your expertise and build your personal brand. If you are knowledgeable in a particular area, or looking to grow in a new area, leverage LinkedIn’s article publishing. Make sure you cite correctly and proofread your work before it’s published. You don’t have the option to go back and edit!
#4 Avoid Venting
Again, LinkedIn is not a Twitter or Facebook. It is not appropriate to vent or share inappropriate personal information. Share your point of view as it relates to your specific area of expertise. The goal is to be perceived as engaged, professional and a thought leader in your field. Avoid venting or rants about annoyances or current events in your field.
#5 Create Content Consistently and Share Across all Platforms
LinkedIn is not a one and done social media platform. You want to constantly create content through published posts and knowledgeable status updates. At minimum, engage LinkedIn at least once a week with a relevant status update. Whenever you write something interesting or relevant to your career field, share it across all social media platforms. This will help boost your credibility and potentially gain more followers in your field.
Related: Creating a Professional Social Media Profile
LinkedIn is a wonderful professional platform that should not be taken lightly. Ensure that you are engaged and leveraging the platform consistently to get the best results! Are you engaged on LinkedIn? Do you have any tips for maximizing your LinkedIn profile? Comment below to share your tips and feedback!
1 thought on “5 Ways to Make the Most of Your LinkedIn Profile”
I actually really enjoy publishing articles on LinkedIn. It’s a great way to share what you have to say to a niche group (professionals). I also like the ability to “endorse” people for their skills. Having other people tell you what you’re good at seems much more impactful!