How to Set Your LinkedIn Profile Up the Right Way

LinkedIn is THE platform for networking online. If you want to learn more about a potential employer or employee online, LinkedIn is where you should be directing your attention. Because of this, you also want to make sure that your profile is as robust as possible and that you are sending the message that you are a worthwhile addition to someone’s network.

You and I both know you are, so let’s get this show on the road by getting your profile set up the right way!

Table of Contents

A Nice Headshot

You want to attract people who view your profile with a clear and professional headshot.

This photo should be representative of your brand as well as your industry. You can demonstrate this by wearing a crisp outfit indicative of your style and how you would show up to work every day for your ideal employer. If you love to wear funky colors, don’t be afraid to show that! Express your individuality, but do so in a way that remains “professional” and in line with other people working in your industry. The goal is to demonstrate that you would “fit in” to the environment you want to enter.

If you are an artist, you don’t need to present yourself in the same way that an investment banker would, observe industry trends, and be yourself!

If you don’t have a DSLR quality photo handy, no problem! The iPhone camera is something else these days! You can take your new LinkedIn headshot with a self-timer, good lighting, and a plain background.

Your Profile Headline

Your headline is the line that displays below your profile photo; this gives an overview of where you currently are in your career journey! It is the perfect place to share your current job status/position and your specialty or area of expertise.

If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would it be? Figure that out and write it here.

If you’re still in school and looking for an internship or an entry-level job, this is the place to let that be known! Remember, recruiters use LinkedIn as a search engine; by having this information in your headline, you make their job easier!

Your Profile Summary

Think of the summary as your elevator pitch. The headline gives your readers an overview of what you have to offer. At the same time, the summary allows you to expand on this and make a lasting impression. Some things to consider here are:

What makes you unique
What are your personal and career-related interests?
In what areas do your skills lie?

Quantify your Achievements!

Your LinkedIn profile is the living version of your resume online: you can update it whenever necessary. If optimized correctly, it will be viewed by recruiters and headhunters within your industry.

Use numbers to demonstrate the impact you’ve had throughout your employment history at various organizations – A recruiter will undoubtedly ask you about this in an interview. Having this listed on your profile can serve as proof to back up your statements. (bonus points if you have endorsements from peers and former colleagues to further support you).

The goal is to create a consistent image between your online presence, the information listed in your applications, and how you act in real life. The online and offline versions of you should be the same.

Engage with your Network

Whether or not you’re looking for a job, LinkedIn is the perfect place to solidify your brand by using your voice. Some easy ways to do this:

Keep your connections up to date with any significant accomplishments you make! For example:

If you’ve released a new project
You’ve received an accreditation/certificate
You’ve recently had some press coverage

Keeping this information up to date will ensure that you remain top of mind for the connections you’ve made in your industry.

You can further your impact by being active and interacting with the posts of those on your feed!

The feedback and insight that you provide can be another way of creating the “thought leadership” you so richly desire.

Are you interested in a specific industry? Share the wealth with your network by reposting the article, along with your thoughts!

You are likely to read your industry’s trades anyway. By sharing with your network, you will further assert your interest in your specific field/industry. This way, when recruiters view your profile, they know that you are a multifaceted candidate – not only do you have rockstar stats, but you also take an interest in educating yourself and learning more about your field and in engaging in discussion with other people!

LinkedIn is the place to be online if you’re interested in solidifying your brand and networking in the most modern sense of the term. Get a head start by building a strong profile today! And don’t forget to connect with us on LinkedIn to keep up to date with our professional development content!