By: Ashley Krebs
In a society that is technologically driven, it is more important than ever to utilize the available resources in order to leverage yourself in the professional sector. Furthermore, it is critical that your pages are thoughtful and personal, ensuring that your online presence accurately reflects who you are as a well-rounded individual.
Before online platforms existed, people relied on traditional networking methods: newspaper job postings, industry conferences, personal connections, and employment agencies. Today, we are fortunate to have more direct ways of networking that don’t require us to go out. While there’s no doubt that in-person interactions are still very important, online platforms make the networking process much easier and less time-consuming.
One of, if not the most vital platforms to set up and maintain as a professional is LinkedIn. The mission of LinkedIn is simple: “To connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful”. Whether you are looking for a job or trying to build your network, LinkedIn serves a purpose by helping you connect with people, access opportunities, and gain valuable insight. Having a strong, polished LinkedIn is crucial because it represents who you are—essentially acting as an online resume.
Here are 5 tips to set up a strong LinkedIn profile.
- Choose a High-Quality, Professional Profile Picture.
A profile picture is often the first impression people have of you online. It is important to stay authentic to yourself while simultaneously prioritizing a few key things. First, make sure the photo is high quality. While not everyone will have their picture taken with a DSLR, it is still important to ensure that your photo is not grainy or hard to see. It is also important to make sure that your face takes up the majority of the given area, as you are the one people want to see! Additionally, wear clothing that would be appropriate for a work environment to represent how you present yourself professionally. Lastly, make sure the photo you choose is recent. Your profile picture should reflect your current appearance so that people won’t be confused or have an incorrect sense of what you look like.
- Choose a Relevant and Eye-Catching Banner Photo.
Your banner or background photo is the second visual element at the top of your page, accompanying your profile picture. The combination of your profile picture and banner helps to create your personal brand, so choose with intention and be mindful of how you want people to perceive you. You should add a banner photo that provides context to who you are. This could be a photo related to the industry you’re pursuing or currently working in, a picture of your school if you’re a student, or an image that reflects what matters to you.
- Craft a Compelling Headline.
Below your name is a “Headline” section where you can concisely highlight key aspects of who you are. While you will typically see people list their job titles, feel free to expand further by adding your most valuable skills or emphasizing what makes you unique and worth a ‘click’. Another way to enhance your headline is by incorporating keywords that are relevant to your identity and/or industry. As students, it is especially important to list your academic status (year and area(s) of study). Not only can a well-crafted headline provide insight into who you are, but it can also improve your visibility in searches, thus attracting more people to your page.
- Craft a Concise and Informative Summary.
Your “About Me” section, also known as a summary, is the perfect way to succinctly provide more detail about who you are. Think of it as your professional introduction, giving viewers a compelling, personal snapshot. In this section, consider sharing more about your professional background, attributes and skills that make you stand out, major achievements, and even personal values. For reference, an ideal summary length is about 200-500 words. Keep this mini biography both engaging and authentic, ensuring that it reflects your personality while maintaining a professional tone. Overall, a strong summary can help you stand apart from other prospective candidates and leave a lasting impression on future employers, recruiters, and networking connections.
- Showcase Your Experience.
The “Experience” section on LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to list your previous and/or current professional roles, including job titles, company name, duration of employment, and additional information. While it may feel tedious, taking the time and effort to craft thoughtful descriptions of your experiences can help you stand out among a sea of others. In your descriptions, make sure you highlight the most crucial responsibilities of your work and the impact it has made—or is currently making. This can be done in bullet points or paragraph format. Adding your experience to your LinkedIn page significantly increases your chances of being discovered for opportunities related to your areas of expertise, so be sure to take full advantage of the section!
Ultimately, LinkedIn can be a very beneficial asset to have and use as a professional, no matter where you are in your career. Thoughtfully curating your LinkedIn profile can open doors to countless opportunities and connections you might not previously have had. And of course, always make sure your page is kept updated so that it aligns with where you are in life and supports your current goals.