Over 900 million people across the world have set up a LinkedIn account and LinkedIn Profile. Most use the platform to help them find jobs, network, and advance professionally, but some of their profiles are actually limiting their professional opportunities.
LinkedIn is, first and foremost, a professional social networking platform, but unlike Facebook and Instagram, it emphasizes business-related interactions. Your LinkedIn profile needs to be visible, polished, and professional if you hope to attract the attention that lands recommendations, job opportunities, and fruitful business collaborations.
Increase your LinkedIn profile’s visibility to avoid missed opportunities
When creating LinkedIn profiles, the vast majority of users snap selfies, write the first titles that come to mind, post bland synopses without highlighting relevant experience, and then neglect to update their pages ever again. Instead of marketing your brand, this profile is probably turning away business and employment possibilities. Both your professional reputation and opportunities can suffer if your profile is missing key information.
If your LinkedIn profile isn’t search engine optimized, potential employers and recruiters may never find you. SEO is essential for all social media platforms, but especially your LinkedIn page because it increases your profile’s visibility in Google searches, meaning more like-minded professionals will discover your page.
Research ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile’s summary and updates with several thoughtful keywords, which should be relevant to your industry and your clients. However, as you pepper your profile with search terms, make sure they don’t overcrowd the profile and cause your writing to sound inauthentic.
Completing your LinkedIn profile is just the beginning — visible profiles are active profiles. If you want to reap LinkedIn’s benefits, maintain an active presence and post updates frequently. A constant presence and publishing schedule on LinkedIn help boost your profile’s discoverability.
Boost your LinkedIn profile’s credibility
If your LinkedIn page looks unprofessional, it can easily cast doubt on your expertise and authority. Potential employers, clients, and partners may doubt your skills, experience, or attention to detail. By taking shortcuts on your profile, you miss the opportunity to present yourself as an industry expert and forge valuable connections.
To maintain an air of professionalism, avoid the informal style of discussion you would use on platforms like Facebook. Every time you post on LinkedIn, imagine you are networking at a business conference — use formal language and steer clear of subject matter that could damage your professional reputation.
Put your best foot forward with a professional headshot. Uploading a selfie or not including a photo at all lends your entire account an amateurish appearance. It’s the professional equivalent of not bringing a headshot to a conference where you’ll be speaking. A high-quality headshot increases your profile’s legitimacy, makes you more memorable, and conveys confidence.
Since LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, post only relevant content to your profile. In other words, don’t upload your pet’s or four-year-old’s photos and videos here. These may be popular on Facebook or YouTube, but people come to LinkedIn to talk shop.
Use your LinkedIn profile to start networking
LinkedIn is a social networking platform where professionals connect, share knowledge, and learn from one another. To start networking with other professionals in your industry or niche, join several industry-relevant groups. Choose the communities you associate with wisely, and gravitate toward the ones that will help you become known as an authority in your industry.
Contribute to discussions in LinkedIn groups to establish your credibility as an authority. Participate regularly with at least one weekly post in the group. The more valuable information you share, the more you will be noticed.
You can also use LinkedIn to build on your in-person connections. After exchanging business cards at networking events, enhance the connection by reaching out through your LinkedIn profile. If you use the platform properly, it can connect you with influential people in your field who will further your career.
Use your LinkedIn profile to access professional learning and development
LinkedIn offers courses, certifications, and publications that can help you advance in your career. These opportunities enable you to grow professionally and further optimize your profile.
LinkedIn Learning offers training in business, tech, and creative skills from industry leaders. After finishing a course and gaining the associated abilities, you have the option of adding them to your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn offers over 5,000 courses and video lectures grouped into learning paths, which are LinkedIn’s way of organizing collections of videos and lessons on a similar subject or career path. Each path features classes taught by industry professionals and covers topics relevant to the field.
Over 70 learning pathways are available to LinkedIn Learning subscribers, and your learning homepage features a selection curated just for you. To find additional learning paths, conduct a search on LinkedIn Learning.
After finishing a course or learning path, LinkedIn rewards you with a certificate of achievement. This certificate adds credibility to your professional profile by demonstrating your commitment to furthering your education and upskilling in your chosen career. LinkedIn certificates are only available if you have an active subscription through your own account or that of your business.
When people look you up online, your LinkedIn profile is likely to come up in the search results before any other information about you. With that in mind, spend some time making sure it accurately represents your professional achievements and allows you to make the most of this formidable professional networking tool.
Learn more about MCK News here. MCK News’ Editor In Chief been featured in Forbes, Fox Business, Authority Magazine, Modern Marketing Today, PR Pioneer, Market Daily, O’Dwyer PR, DKoding, Business Insider, and Consumer Affairs.
