LinkedIn is a powerful professional social network that has transformed the way people find jobs, recruit talent, and expand their professional network. Whether you are a job seeker, a working professional, or an entrepreneur, having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile is crucial to your career success. In this article, we’ll go over five simple but effective changes you can make to your LinkedIn profile that will set you up for future success.
Drive LinkedIn Traffic to Your Portfolio and Social Media Profiles
The intro section of your LinkedIn profile is your most valuable real estate. It’s the first thing people see when they visit your profile, and it’s where you can make a strong first impression. LinkedIn recently added a feature that allows you to add a website to your intro. This is super useful if you have a side business, a website, or portfolio you want to show off.
To make the most of this feature, consider signing up for a free Linktree account and linking it to your Twitter, Instagram, or other social media profiles. If you have a blog or newsletter, you can also link to it here. By driving LinkedIn traffic to your other online profiles, you can expand your reach and build your online presence.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
When it comes to your job title and description, it’s important to be clear and accurate. While you may have a long list of responsibilities at work, it’s important to keep your core job title as the main focus. This is the role you want to be most known for, and it’s what recruiters and headhunters will be looking for.
If you have been promoted or taken on additional responsibilities, be sure to update your job title accordingly. This will give recruiters a clear idea of your skillset and help you stand out from other candidates. Additionally, don’t be afraid to showcase your accomplishments in the Featured section of your profile. Whether it’s a thank-you post or a slide deck you created for work, every bit of recognition counts.
Two Birds, One Stone: LinkedIn Edition
Most companies have some sort of performance review process that occurs regularly. If you’re making the time to write down your achievements anyways, you might as well repurpose that content and showcase your impact on LinkedIn as well. This works because what makes for a good performance review document also makes for good LinkedIn experience where you did the end result and quantifiable data to back it up.
The next time you have a performance review or self-evaluation, take the time to update your LinkedIn profile with your accomplishments. This will show potential employers that you are proactive and results-driven. It’s also a great way to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date without having to create new content from scratch.
Repurpose Your Colleagues
Word of mouth heavily influences purchase decisions. The Recommendations feature is LinkedIn’s version of a five-star review. If you’re heavily recommended by others, you’re going to stand out among your peers. However, it can be awkward to ask colleagues for a recommendation out of the blue.
Instead, consider piggybacking on an established process. For example, if you received feedback from a peer reviewer as part of your annual performance review, you could ask them to write a recommendation for you on LinkedIn. This way, you’re not asking for a favor, you’re simply repurposing existing feedback.
Keep Your Profile Up to Date
Finally, it’s crucial to keep your LinkedIn profile up to date. This means regularly updating your work experience, education, and skills. It also means engaging with your network by sharing updates, commenting on posts, and connecting with new people.
By keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date, you’ll be able to take advantage of new opportunities, as profile is crucial to ensuring that you’re presenting yourself in the best possible way to potential employers, clients, and colleagues.
