Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile

Table of Contents

1. The photos
2. The headline
3. Contact Information
4. Customized URL
5. Your Network
6. Don't sound desperate
7. Sound approachable
8. The war on buzzwords
9. Media elements
10. Endorsements
11. Follow others
12. Skill assessments
13. Recommendations
14. LinkedIn Learning

Choosing the right photos

Your profile picture is your calling card. It's your first impression. Make sure the picture is recent, looks like you, your face takes up around 60% of the frame, you're wearing what you'd wear to work, and you're smiling! Next, your background photo is the section visual element on your profile page. It grabs people's attention and adds more of your personality to the page. The right background will help your page stand out.

Make your headline more than a job title

Use the headline field to say a bit more about how you see your role, why you do what you do, and what makes you tick.

Add/Update your contact information

Make sure your professional email, phone number, website, social media platforms, etc. are listed on your profile.

Optional: If you are interested in grabbing a unique site to summarize all your social media links and pages, take a look at dev.page.

Create a customized URL

A custom URL makes it easier to send your profile to people. It also means you no longer have to worry about someone not being able to find you. For the most professional URL, try: http://linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname. If that isn’t available, add your middle initial or industry.

To do this:

• Go to your profile
• Click "edit public profile & URL" on the right hand side (it will open a new tab)
• Click the pen icon under "Edit your custom URL"

Grow your network

Get into the habit of following up meetings and conversations with LinkedIn connection requests. This also means being active! Activity on LinkedIn raises your score in algorithmic search results. You are able to join up to 100 groups on LinkedIn and when you do, you are now in connection with all the group members of these 100 groups. This enables your profile to show up in exponentially more search results.

Don't sound desperate

"Actively seeking opportunities" is not a good look for a job seeker. Read why from a LinkedIn job seeker coach. People want to hire someone who is demand. Indicate your value, not your needs. Plus, your headline on LinkedIn is prime real estate with only 120 characters. It carries the most weight with your search terms, so use them carefully!

Sound approachable

While retaining your professionalism in your industry, you need to sound like someone recruiters, hiring managers, clients, etc. want to meet and talk to. Short paragraphs with easily digestible words are always a better choice.

Declare war on buzzwords

Words like "leadership", "strategic", "passionate", "expert", "creative", "innovative", and "specialized" are over-used! Simply using these words won't convince people you have these qualities but you need to demonstrate them as well. See The Most Overused LinkedIn Profile Buzzwords

Embed media elements

Add media such as documents, video, images, and audio to keep the readers scrolling down your profile. Make sure the chosen content supports your image and brand in a positive manner.

Spread the endorsement love

Go through your network and identify connections you feel genuinely deserve an endorsement from you. That's often the trigger for people to return the favor. Don't be afraid to reach out with a polite message asking for endorsement for a few key skills as well! Check out How to Get 99+ Endorsements on LinkedIn

Follow the right people

LinkedIn allows you to keep up with people in your industry alongside successful people who inspire you. This way your feed will be filled with content that is relevant to you.

Take skills assessments

Data shows that candidates with verified skills are around 30% more likely to be hired for roles they apply for by displaying proof of your abilities.

Request recommendations

A personal testimonial written illustrates other's experience working with you. Take the time to think about who you would most value a recommendation from and personalize your request(s).

Showcase your passion for learning

When you complete a course on LinkedIn Learning, you'll have the opportunity to add a course certificate to your profile.

Helpful Links

99 LinkedIn Profile Tips: from Summary & Headline to Images
How To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile 2022
Exactly how to improve your LinkedIn profile to get more job offers
LinkedIn Profile Tips From a “LinkedIn Millionaire”

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you out.

Happy coding!