If you’re trying to make a good impression on future employers or potential clients and customers, it’s important your LinkedIn profile stands out from the crowd. Knowing where to start and what information matters most is key, and here are some tips from the experts:
1. Upload a professional photo. No selfies or shots with pets, please.
2. Sell yourself. Be sure you have a catchy headline.
3. Be sure to include your industry in your profile. Adding an industry could get you 15 times more profile views.
4. Take advantage of LinkedIn’s new publishing tools. Publishing a post is a great way to get noticed.
5. Be sure to include keywords so you will be found in searches. A summary of 40 words or more makes you more likely to turn up in a future employer’s search.
6. Don’t just say it, display it. Add rich media to make your profile pop. Even just adding a profile photo could result in 14 times more views than someone without.
7. Be precise. Don’t be afraid to use detail when describing past jobs or employers.
8. Reorder your skills to make sure the most important ones are on top. Members who include skills get around 13 times more profile views.
9. Join relevant groups. These are visible in your profile. A profile is five times more likely to be viewed if you join or are active in groups.
10. Include volunteer work. Volunteering can be just as important as work experience. More than 40% of hiring managers surveyed by LinkedIn said they view volunteer experience as equivalent to formal work experience.
11. Be specific about your education. It will get noticed if you do. Members who have an education on their profile receive an average of 10 times more profile views than those who don’t.