LinkedIn Profile Editing Tips

What really is the purpose of having a LinkedIn profile?  What are the benefits of having one?

LinkedIn is a social networking site tailored toward professional interactions.  A LinkedIn profile is customized by the owner by listing work experience, education, and other accomplishments on the profile page.  The profile is used as a visual resume presentation.  Because it is online, it is an easy access to recruiters and companies that are hiring.   The key is, the more connections you have the greater chance you have to be seen.

Basic membership is free and members can establish connections with someone he/she has worked with, someone he/she has gone to school with, and professional connections.  Basic membership also allows for connections to groups, companies, jobs, and articles.  In today’s tech savvy and online social networking mindset, it is professional smart to set up a LinkedIn profile.

The following are just a few keys to improve you LinkedIn profile and to use it as a marketing tool for career and professional purposes.

LinkedIn Key #1 – Good image, Title, & Summary

First impressions are everything.  LinkedIn is used my many recruiters and hiring companies and your image, title, and summary will be the first thing they see.  Make sure you image is not blurry, too small or big, or unprofessional, etc.  Make sure you have a photo.  No photo is a “do not.”

Your title (current position / expertise) could be searched.  It is a best practice that you optimize your title so that it is easily searched.  If you have multiple titles / expertise add those key words, but do not make the mistake and add words just to add words.  For example: “Recruiter at XXXX | Resume & Career Consultant | Blogger.”

For the summary have something catchy or something that provides a good introduction of who you are, what your standards are, and what your expertise is.  You want to set a skilled background for readers that can gain a hint of what opportunities you bring to the world.  To find some ideas of what you can write, visit some of your connections and read their summaries.

LinkedIn Key #2 – Update Regularly

Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume.  So, update it regularly.  Your LinkedIn profile will probably be seen more than your paper resume by people you don’t know.  You will want to have your profile up-to-date as to not have a potential opportunity pass you up.  Updating should involve updating:  work history, new connections, projects, and sections such as Skills & Expertise, interests, groups and organizations, and who you follow.  Make sure you contact information is update often too.  It is helpful if you post website addresses (personal / company), blog, or twitter information.

LinkedIn Key #3 – Connect with many

Connecting is networking.  Increase your number of connections all the time.  Once you hit 50 connections LinkedIn starts suggesting connections.  LinkedIn offers the “People you may know” tool.  Use this tool to find people and establish business connections that may bring opportunity in the future.  The key is, the more connections you have the greater chance you have to be seen.  The profile is used as a visual resume presentation.  Because it is online, it is an easy way for recruiters and companies that are hiring to find you through links of friends and colleagues.