Part 1: These days there are so many parameters for your LinkedIn Profile that you might have overlooked some of them. That's why we have split up the Profile tips over the next weeks. If you not only read the tips every week, but also apply them, you will have a very attractive Profile in a few weeks! 1. Your Profile Picture: use a professional photo. a. Students tend to post holiday pictures on their LinkedIn Profile as they do on Facebook. Since LinkedIn is a professional website it is better to have an appropriate photo. b. There is not much space for your photo-your head will be enough. Although it is not necessary to upload a photo, this makes it easier for others to remember and recognize you. 2. Name. a. If you want to be found by other people who know you, use the name you use in a professional environment-no nicknames. b. If you are married and have taken the name of your partner, people who knew you before (for example in college) won't be able to find you. So add your former/maiden name. 3. Professional Headline: by default it is your current function. However, we advise you to change it. Use words that trigger a response when someone is looking for your expertise. Give more detail than on your business card! For example: "environmental consultant specialized in nuclear waste solutions" is much clearer than "consultant". Describe how what you do helps people, i.e. instead of "Owner, Vanity Press" choose "Helping writers to self-publish". Many people don't dare to make their Professional Headline specific because they think they might miss out. Someone important might not find them. Actually, it works the other way around: the people you REALLY want to connect with will find you more easily if they are drawn to your headline! Of course, most people never consider to whom they want to appeal (remember the 5 step basic strategy and the G.A.I.N. exercise©) and as a consequence don't get results either. Your headline is critical because these are the first words people see when you show up in their search results, or what is shown when you answer a question in Answers or in a Discussion. The headline will encourage or discourage people to read your Profile. So dare to stand out! Part 2: 1. Current & Past: current and past position(s). This is matched with the field "title" when people use the "Advanced Search" option. 1a. If you want to be found by other people, use words that other people use to search for people with your expertise. If the title on your business card is "Marcom Director", but people search using "Vice President Marketing" or "Communication Manager", chances are small that you will be found. 1b. It is important to use this field when you want LinkedIn to help you find (former) colleagues and to be found by them. You will find more details in "Chapter 5: How to build your network ... Fast". 1c. Under "Experience" you can put more details. Remember that your results are more interesting than your function. For example: instead of writing "I was the sales manager for this company" you can write "During my time as sales manager the company's sales increased by 23% and grew from the 5th largest supplier of widgets X to the 2nd largest one". 2. Education: the schools, colleges, universities, and post-graduate programs you attended. It is important to use this field when you want LinkedIn to help you find (former) fellow students and to be found by them. 3. Websites: you can list three websites. Take advantage of them! Instead of the standard "Company website" or "Personal website", choose "Other" and then write some compelling text. This will help to get more clicks! 4. Public Profile URL: personalize your LinkedIn Profile page by using your name in the URL. This will boost your online presence on the web: when someone searches your name in Google, Yahoo, Bing, or another search engine, your LinkedIn page will appear in the top rankings. The URLs are unique, so be the first to have a LinkedIn URL with your name. 5. Sections: Add them to your Profile. 5a. These are the sections that apply to everybody: i. Skills: you can list some skills and your level of competence. ii. Languages: you can add the languages you speak and your level of fluency. 5b. These are the sections in the LinkedIn Profile that are relevant for some people: i. Courses: if you have followed some extra courses that are relevant to your professional life, list them here instead of in "Education". ii. Projects: sometimes you have worked on projects as a student, volunteer or alongside your normal job. iii. Organizations: list here when you are/were member of a board, a professional or trade organization or another kind of relevant association. iv. Certifications: for many jobs you need to be certified in a skill. Use the "Certifications" section to show that you are indeed certified which can make you stand out from other providers of the same service, or can show people that you conform to quality guidelines. v. Publications: if you have written a book or published articles, use the "Publications" section in your Profile. vi. Patents: if you have a patent, share that as well. vii. Volunteer: list the causes you support and the charities you have been involved with. Remark: LinkedIn has been adding a lot of possibilities to the "sections", so keep checking LinkedIn to find the latest add-ons. To your success ! Jan and Bert PS: if you rather watch a video clip with these tips, go to the free "Video and Tools Library" at www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com (remark: separate registration is needed). ----------------------------------------------------------- Networking Coach Ekkersgatstraat 1 bus 2 2840 Rumst - Belgium Tel (B): + 32 (3) 216 27 47 Tel (NL): +31 30 80 80 144 Website: www.networking-coach.com |
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