LinkedIn profiles are today one of the most important sources for finding professionals around the world. The network has expanded and will continue to grow to bring together job seekers and employers. It is a good opportunity for individuals to shine, highlight their skills and strengths, and it is also a good place for companies to showcase their culture and values.
I know that many articles will teach you how to correctly create your LinkedIn profile. I'm not quoting them and instead of doing this, I'll tell you about the LI profiles I've recently reviewed and which aspects need to be improved:
Your profile is mainly intended to be found by recruiters and potential employers. Make sure you enter keywords relevant to your profession to make it easy to find.
LinkedIn allows you to hide parts of your name and release the full name after connecting. If the name is still hidden after connecting, this indicates that you are not interested in the offers out there and would rather remain anonymous.
The title will be displayed under your name for every post you make, when you are commenting, and so on. This section can stand out from the crowd. You can choose between a classic version, a funny text or an innovative version. It's up to you what kind of message you want to convey out there.
The summary is a great section to introduce yourself alongside the experience. It also depends only on you what kind of message you want to put out there. You can describe how you can help potential employers or business partners with your knowledge and skills. Try not to write in the third person - it's not necrology, you know.
I would recommend hiding your phone number from the professional profile as you will receive many calls from desperate recruiters, job scammers or salespeople. I know people don't like being bothered at work. Genuine recruiters will find a more professional way to get in touch with you.
The experience section should show your responsibilities and your career path. Indicate the company name, job titles and the most important responsibilities or tasks. Try to stick to 4-5 bullets. Small activities should be summarized under a freelance experience.
The education section shows the schools you’ve attended. I have seen some profiles with vague descriptions in this section. It raises a red flag for recruiters when someone hides facts about their educational background. We should all be proud of our education, and when we consider a career change, continuous learning is part of the process.
Include relevant and specific skills in your profile. Try not to use generic keywords that are suitable for more industries. Many recruiters review profiles based on this section, so it's good to fully optimize it for a search.
Certifications are a sign that you are interested in your industry. It's good to include your certifications because it's the effort you make to acquire and perfect your knowledge in a particular field.
Last but not least, you should try to get endorsements and assessments of your professional qualities from colleagues or business partners. It is one way to find out the impact you are having nearby.
These are just a few of the tips I remembered, but if you have any further questions about improving your LI profile, don't hesitate to write to me at office@roitfocus.com. I will answer all the questions and make profile reviews in the order they are received.