Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Tip 1: Get a Custom URL
3. Tip 2: Choose the Right Profile Picture
4. Tip 3: Add a Cover Photo that Reflects You
5. Tip 4: Write a LinkedIn Headline that Rocks
6. Tip 5: Hide Your Activity on LinkedIn
7. Tip 6: Use the Right Keywords Throughout Your LinkedIn Profile
8. Tip 7: Avoid Using Buzzwords
9. Tip 8: Customize Your Invites and Request Connections Thoughtfully
10. Tip 9: Add Links to Your Work Experience
11. Tip 10: Send Voice Messages
12. Bonus Tip: Add Your LinkedIn Profile to Your Resume
Tip 1: Get a Custom URL
To make your LinkedIn profile stand out, it's important to have a custom URL. By default, LinkedIn assigns a random URL to your profile, but you can easily set a custom URL that is easy to remember and share. For example, you can use your name or add certifications to optimize your profile. To create a customized LinkedIn URL, go to your profile, click on "Edit public profile and URL," and personalize the URL for your profile.
Tip 2: Choose the Right Profile Picture
Your profile picture plays a crucial role in making a strong impression on LinkedIn. It's recommended to upload a recent and professional-looking picture where your face takes up at least 60 percent of the frame. Dress appropriately for your work and make sure to smile with your eyes. Profiles without a photo often get overlooked, so invest in a high-quality picture. Find a good background, use natural light, and take a simple yet appealing picture.
Tip 3: Add a Cover Photo that Reflects You
The banner above your profile picture is an opportunity to showcase your personality. Choose a cover photo that reflects your interests, values, or brand. It could be a landscape view, an image related to your job, or even a meaningful quote. Canva offers a free LinkedIn Banner template that you can customize to create an eye-catching cover photo. You can also find free stock photos to use as your background and replace the default gray box.
Tip 4: Write a LinkedIn Headline that Rocks
Your LinkedIn headline appears right under your name and is the first thing people read. While the default setting fills it with your current job position, you can make it stand out by customizing it. Treat your headline as a small billboard advertisement for yourself. Provide a clear description of your job and what you bring to the table. Try to add a touch of credibility to make it more compelling. Be creative and make your headline memorable.
Tip 5: Hide Your Activity on LinkedIn
Updating your LinkedIn profile is essential, but you may not want every little change to be broadcasted to your entire network. To prevent this, you can hide your activity on LinkedIn. Go to "Settings and Privacy," then "Visibility," and scroll down to "Visibility of your LinkedIn activity." Turn off the option to share profile updates with your network. This way, your profile updates will no longer notify your connections and colleagues.
Tip 6: Use the Right Keywords Throughout Your LinkedIn Profile
To increase the chances of recruiters discovering your profile, it's crucial to include relevant keywords throughout your LinkedIn profile. Incorporate these keywords in your headline, summary, work experience, and skill sections. For example, if you specialize in digital marketing, include keywords like content marketing, Facebook ads, PPC advertising, and Google Ads. To find the right keywords, refer to job postings related to your desired role and incorporate them strategically.
Tip 7: Avoid Using Buzzwords
Buzzwords may seem impressive, but they often lack substance. Instead of using generic self-promotional sentences like "experience expert" or "specialized and certified," focus on being clear and specific about your accomplishments and skills. Show, don't just tell, your profile visitors that you possess the qualities you claim. Remove buzzwords and replace them with concrete examples and achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Tip 8: Customize Your Invites and Request Connections Thoughtfully
Building a strong network on LinkedIn involves connecting with people you know and those who can help you grow in your career. When sending connection requests, personalize your message and be specific about why you want to connect. Whether it's a colleague, friend, or someone in your industry, explain your intentions clearly. You can use LinkedIn's alumni tool to find people from your college or connect with professionals working in companies or roles of interest.
Tip 9: Add Links to Your Work Experience
Make your work experience more engaging by adding links, images, and videos. Utilize this feature to showcase your projects, articles, reports, or any work that demonstrates your skills and expertise. By providing direct access to your work, you allow hiring managers to see your capabilities firsthand. Use this opportunity to make your profile more interactive and visually appealing.
Tip 10: Send Voice Messages
Differentiate yourself from the crowd by sending voice messages to your connections. LinkedIn allows you to record or send voice messages up to 60 seconds long. Voice messages are more efficient for explaining complex ideas, and they allow your connections to listen and respond at their convenience. Speaking in your own voice enhances communication and reduces the chances of miscommunication that can occur in written messages.
Bonus Tip: Add Your LinkedIn Profile to Your Resume
After putting effort into optimizing your LinkedIn profile, make sure to direct people to it by adding your profile URL to your resume. Place it next to your name, email address, or use a hyperlink for easy access. This way, anyone reviewing your resume can click on the link and visit your LinkedIn profile. Additionally, LinkedIn allows you to see who has recently viewed your profile, providing valuable insights into your visibility.
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*Note: The article has been written in a conversational style to engage the reader and provide information in a clear and concise manner. The use of personal pronouns, rhetorical questions, and analogies/metaphors has been incorporated to enhance the conversational tone and make the content more relatable.*
