How To Build A Great LinkedIn Profile
A well-crafted LinkedIn profile has many benefits including:
1. Functions as a resume extension that offers more in depth and compelling information
2. Provides a way to store updated information to include in future resumes
3. Fills out online applications with the push of a button
4. Some companies prefer that recruiters forward LinkedIn Profiles instead of resumes
5. Offers an easy way to gather endorsements & recommendations for a resume portfolio
6. Begins to build your online “Brand” (Reputation & What You Are Known For)
7. Over-rides negative information on others with your same name
8. Allows recruiters to find you
9. Portrays you as up-to-date and technologically savvy
10. Allows you to easily find and communicate with industry peers
11. Offers an easy way to follow and stay in touch with past co-workers
12. Allows you to find and track industry role models
13. Provides a way to identify role model career paths
14. Allows you a way to track industry trends and conversations daily
15. Provides an additional way to research companies you may want to work for
16. Provides a way to research companies before an interview
From my experience, the best way to optimize your profile is to find 5-7 outstanding profiles from those who already excel in the industry you hope to excel in. You will want to notice how they “package” themselves and do something similar as it fits.
A LinkedIn Profile has somewhere around 25 components depending on how they are counted and grouped. LinkedIn has been known to add and remove components so you’ll want to stay up to date. The platform is also more dynamic than a resume meaning you should be updating and interacting with it at least weekly if not daily.
LinkedIn Components
1. Name – Should be consistent with resume and other communications
2. Headline – Refine this by looking at other professionals in your industry
3. Picture – Go to a studio and have it professionally done (White or Black Background)
4. Header Information
5. Connections Number – Set a goal of 500 + mostly in your industry
6. Contact Information – Set up with your name and place on resume with contact info
Background
7. Summary – Read several summaries used by peers and role models and modify
8. Presentations – Slide Share Etc…
9. Experience – Like a resume but room for more information. Include stats and achievements.
10. Education – Include more professionally relevant detail than you ever could on your resume.
11. Certifications – Include all professionally relevant licenses and certifcates
12. Courses – Include all professionally relevant seminars, workshops and continuing education
13. Skills and Expertise – List the most professionally relevant skills you wish to use and be known for using. Look at your role models for ideas
14. Endorsements – Begin gathering endorsements for those skills. The reciprocity principle works great here. Be liberal giving endorsements and others will respond in kind.
15. Volunteer Experience and Causes – Add any professionally relevant volunteer work. You may include anything that positions you as someone who is committed to contributing and adding value.
Additional Information
16. Interests - Add any professionally relevant. You may add other things that make you “interesting” but be careful with that.
17. Personal Details - Add any professionally relevant details including things that may help you appear stable or culturally in sync.
18. Honors & Awards - Add any professionally relevant awards. You might wish to include older business awards or even school awards in order to position yourself as an achiever and someone who adds value and contributes.
19. Organizations - Include any professionally relevant organizations. If you don’t have any to include here…. JOIN SOME!!!
20. Recommendations – Shoot for 5 + per year. The best way is to begin writing really good recommendations for others and they will reciprocate. You will also need to ask people to do this for you. Start with your instructors and any current work colleagues.
21. Connections – Set aside about 15 minutes a week to send connection invitations to colleagues in your industry.
22. Groups – Join 50 groups in your industry as fast as you can
23. Following – People that you admire in your industry
24. News
25. Companies – Follow companies and organizations that you might be interested in working for
26. Schools
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