7 Steps to a Killer LinkedIn Profile

7 Steps to a Killer LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn has been around for over 15 years, and it's grown to become the leading professional networking platform.

Used correctly, it's a fantastic tool for career development and to find an Internship in Asia.

Some people assume that LinkedIn is simply an online version of a personal resume or curriculum vitae, but it has much more to offer.

The foundation of success on LinkedIn is your personal profile. It's the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will see when you search for you, and it can open doors and make you visible to senior managers and influencers.

Setting up a LinkedIn profile can take less than thirty minutes, but you should spend time reviewing and updating it regularly to make it as effective as possible.

how optimize LinkedIn Profile

The following tips will help you build a killer LinkedIn profile.

Choose a professional photo

It's important to distinguish your LinkedIn account from Facebook and other social media profiles you may have.

Just as in a face to face meeting with a potential employer, first impressions count. It's worth paying a professional photographer to take a formal portrait for your LinkedIn profile. If you work in a formal industry sector such as finance or law, the style of your profile picture should reflect this.

A picture of you relaxing on holiday or socializing with friends may not send out the right message to someone viewing your LinkedIn profile.

Work on your headline

The headline is the second thing most people will notice on LinkedIn after your profile picture. It should be concise and professional in tone but must stand out in some way.

If you make bold claims about your achievements or abilities, make sure you can back them up.

For example, saying you are 'The top social media marketing professional in New York' would need to be supported by evidence such as examples of achievements.

Your LinkedIn headline should entice someone finding you in a search to click on your profile to read more.

Use relevant keywords

Using the right keywords in your LinkedIn profile can have a dramatic effect on visitor traffic.

The social media platform is essentially a vast database, and recruiters and people wanting to connect with other professionals in their industry will only find you if you appear in searches.

As well as relevant job titles, think about ways you can describe your skills and experience. Your headline will have a greater impact if it contains keywords that may be used in searches, so don't just leave it as your current job title.


Sell yourself

Considering how competitive the employment market can be, your LinkedIn profile must showcase your experience and skills in the best possible way.

Your employment experience should start with your current or most recent role. Think about what you've achieved in any positions you've held and include these.

Don't just make a list of job titles and companies you've worked for, as this will have little appeal to recruiters.

Research suggests that the more skills you list on your LinkedIn profile, the more profile views you'll receive. Prioritize your skills and list the key five for your industry sector and role above others.

Take a look at other people's LinkedIn profiles to find ideas for skills you can list to attract attention.

Check and check again

Spelling mistakes, unexplained gaps in employment or badly worded content on your LinkedIn profile means you'll be an instant rejection for some recruiters.

Once you've checked it yourself, ask a friend or colleague to review your profile with independent eyes. Does it flow and give a true reflection of your employment history to date?

You may only have seconds to appeal to a busy recruiter, and they won't always have time to contact you to ask questions.


7 Steps To A Killer Linkedin Profile


Build a network

Reaching out to other professionals on LinkedIn to build a network is an area where many people struggle.

There are tools within LinkedIn to help you, but it takes time and effort to cultivate a strong network.

Importing your existing email contacts is a good place to start. Current and previous work colleagues are great as a foundation, and you can often leverage these contacts to find other professionals in your industry.

When sending connection requests to people, you don't know it's best to personalize the approach with a bespoke message.

Join relevant LinkedIn Groups

There are thousands of Groups on LinkedIn where like-minded professionals and people with similar interests communicate.

Some aren't managed well and are full of spam content, so do some research before joining.

Being a member of a Group allows you to read and comment on articles and find new connections to add to your network. It can also add to the credibility of your LinkedIn profile if you are a member of the right Groups.

The stronger your LinkedIn presence, the more your career will benefit. Posting regular updates and commenting on those made by others will get you recognized and keep your profile high.

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