LinkedIn really is an essential personal branding tool. It has never been more important to build and maintain a polished LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a very powerful virtual professional network that really has become complete personal branding resource. It is professional social network and it really can be an invaluable tool in many ways, but only if you use it correctly.
LinkedIn has millions of members and it really is assumed that you will have a LinkedIn profile. You may not be taken seriously as a career-minded executive if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile. When someone googles your name, it will most likely show up in the first or second spot and this is important because most Google users click on the first page results.
LinkedIn is where all companies and recruiters are now searching for exceptional talent. Like never before, Linkedin really does give you the opportunity to connect with a company or a person within that company directly. LinkedIn really does gives you the opportunity to control what people learn about you and your strengths and you need to be highly visible. You need to have a complete and polished profile that is just packed with the right keywords.
LinkedIn allows you to update your status regularly and it instantly lets everyone in your audience know what’s new in your world and where to find you. Recruiters are looking for YOU, so you had better stand out from the crowd.
LinkedIn provides one of the best opportunities to increase your visibility and credibility with members of your brand community. It lets you stay connected to large networks of contacts.
Let’s have a look at your profile:
- How is your Profile Picture? Is it professional? Up-to-date? One of the biggest mistakes made with profile pictures is having a personal picture (with alcohol in hand, at a party or pets jumping all over you etc) rather than a professional picture that represents you as a polished candidate. A LinkedIn profile without a picture is also more likely to be overlooked
- Is your headline up-to-date? Write this yourself. Write about you. Don’t speak in the 3rd person
- Is your career summary and experience up-to-date and reflective of your achievements?
- Can you increase your recommendations?
- Are you a member of relevant groups and discussions?
- Status updates: One of the biggest mistakes that LinkedIn users make is using it like it is Facebook. “If you’re going to post something, make sure it’s relevant to your occupation and, most importantly, is professional.” Chris Bryant, creative director and principal, Empire Studios
“LinkedIn should never be used to criticize an employer or potential employer, even if you were just fired or didn’t get the role you were interviewing for. Nobody wants a sore loser on their team, especially one who makes it public for all their followers to see.” – Emilie Mecklenborg, social media strategist, Alexander Mann Solutions
“Quality is definitely more important than quantity when it comes to LinkedIn. Adding everyone and anyone to your network as a connection isn’t going to give you an edge. Build your network with people you know, want to know and want to work with or for. Don’t accept everyone that requests you solely to increase the connections on your network.” – Samantha Lambert, director of human resources, Blue Fountain Media
If you would like a free analysis of your LinkedIn Profile, we are here to help.
References:
- William Arruda
- Chris Bryant
- James Innes
- Emilie Mecklenborg
- Samantha Lambert
The HDR Group 