Creating the Perfect LinkedIn Profile
Get Noticed On LinkedIn Graphic. Logo within graphic by OpenClipart (Creative Commons License). Graphic made by Carly Busfield.
Summer has arrived! During this warmer season of the year, many students and job seekers will complete an internship. LinkedIn is a versatile resource that provides a way for people to showcase themselves to future employers. It allows users to brand themselves and rack up their resume.
This communication based platform lets the job seeking process be less stressful, and allows people to explore options in all ranges. Utilize this application online and within the mobile application.
Below is a sample PDF, downloadable via from your own account, of parts of my own LinkedIn:
First Thing the Audience Sees in a Profile
The job market and interview process is all about making great impressions. Employers care about the way their employees represent themselves because they also represent their company.
What is the first thing seen on a LinkedIn profile? Your name, photo, and occupation/degree are the key components any user will see or look for.
Picking an appropriate profile picture and header reflects the initial impression and connotation of your profile. In simpler terms, what people see right away ignites the initial “vibe” of your persona in addition to your page.
Typically, a more formal headshot is preferred [but I do not currently have yet].
Even within a preview of a profile, those key components are also shown to give a general idea of what a user is clicking into. It also makes the search for what they want in an employee easier!
Featured Posts
Posts can vary across the application from big announcements, internships, and more. Certain posts are of value to the user to pin to their profile. This allows employers and other viewers to learn important information faster. Compiling it into this section stops viewers and guides them to scroll through.
For example, my Featured section shows my upcoming internship, roles for the next year, and links to my articles. These posts are relevant and important that I keep them shown. Without this feature, important posts get drowned in the feed by recent posts.
How to Properly Post
Posts are the most essential part of this platform because this is the voice of the user. There are many tips and tricks that fall into formatting a LinkedIn post:
- Know your audience.
- Use a play on words or catchy headline.
- Keep it clear and concise.
- Instill value and worth.
- Visuals make the posts more engaging and memorable.
This is a recent post I made three weeks ago regarding an announcement I was making. I included a link to The Voice website which is what the post was about. The website gave visual to my post and helped define it.
Tagging others within your posts is also a useful tip because it attracts more likes and feedback. Their names will be highlighted and bolded blue, making it prominent, linking to their profile.
Keeping the post “short and sweet” is a necessity. Too much text can push an audience away, just like in online and print publications.
Analytics
LinkedIn utilizes a variety of ways to show you how your account is getting noticed. It shows the “impressions” you make to other users.
Stalking is not something to get away with on LinkedIn because they tell you who’s looking!
Clicking into the analytics will provide more insight on how you are reaching your audience. These numbers show you how to improve on the habits done so far. Premium memberships can provide EVEN FURTHER insight.
There is also messaging function to privately chat with future employers, coworkers, and all other users. Keep an eye out for an important messages. Someone may notice your value!
Other Profile Features
- About
This section on a Profile can provide a space for the first things you want to tell your potential boss. What do you think of first to tell them? Who are you and what do you do?
This gives a brief general overview to get an idea of who you are before they dive in.
2. Experience
This area allows you to log all the notable jobs you have had along with a timeline of employment and a description of the role. Future employers can grasp a general idea of your valued experiences.
3. Education
This allows to list your education in secondary and college-level. Within this feature, student involvement and any other details can be input. Furthering your education is an aspect that many employers take value upon, depending on your field.
4. Certifications
This area actually has a library of them stored to choose from. Logging in certifications sets you apart from everyone else! Here, I have 2 logged and they showed up right away when I searched them on LinkedIn.
5. Skills
This areas is actually the most unique because you could put almost whatever you want. Whatever skills you have to bring to the table, bring it on. The options are finely detailed and very specific which I admire most.
For example, within my own field, specific skills such as Adobe InDesign or Print Media are applicable to my work. These are specific ways to differentiate yourselves from the rest of the competition. What skills make you unique from other candidates alike? In simpler terms, what can you do that others can not?
Recap & Conclusion
Disclaimer: I do not think my own LinkedIn account is ‘perfect’, yet using it to provide insight on this topic is definitely worthwhile. No one’s LinkedIn is 100% flawless, but there are definitely key components to make yourself stand out!
LinkedIn is continuously growing every year as more graduates and opportunity seekers enter the job market. The platform also expands as long as social media continues to expand. LinkedIn may be one of the most used employment and business applications of all time with a strong foundation for a prolonged future.
People will always need jobs because it is how they thrive. As employment rates have lowered over the last few years, more businesses and organizations need workers to fulfill their mission. Yet, it is so hard to make oneself stand out in the world today with the growth of technology and social media communication. LinkedIn allows opportunists to be outgoing and prove themselves, while organizing their achievements in one place.
Before you graduate, update your profile or make one if you have not already. Do not miss out on great chances because you did not try. Reach out and show off your valued assets for future employers.
