Compared to social media heavyweights like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn may not boast of a large number of subscribers. What sets this social media platform apart from its counterparts is its usefulness in real life. Improve your LinkedIn profile to get ahead of the competition. Rarely will you find job opportunities by using any other social network.
However, if you wish to get the most out of your LinkedIn profile, you should put in ample time and effort to improve your LinkedIn profile.
Here are some easy profile updates to improve your LinkedIn profile.
Update your profile picture
You might have the qualifications needed for the job you are eyeing, but if you don’t have a good profile picture, your profile can be easily glossed over. In fact, setting a good profile photo increases your chances of your profile getting more views.
Avoid using an old picture or a selfie. Instead, opt for a high resolution image with you wearing something conservative yet smart. Alternatively, you can get a new picture taken. And oh, don’t forget to smile.
Write a self-summary
You may be tempted to leave the self-summary area blank, but most recruiters do look at this. Plus, you can increase your searchability.
What should you write about? A good self-summary will include pertinent details about your professional life including your skills, experiences and goals. However, avoid rehashing the details you have already listed and keep your self-summary short.
Put graphics and videos on your profile
Another great way to make your profile stand out is to add graphics and videos. You can use these to showcase your skills and talents. Think of LinkedIn as a means to highlight your portfolio, especially if you are planning to get into the creative industry. If you have made videos, presentations or even white papers in PDF form, you can also add these.
Showcase volunteer work
Many HR professionals look at volunteer work the same way they do professional work. If you have done some volunteer work, include these in your profile.
Endorse other people in your network
If you want other people in your network to endorse you for skills and areas of expertise, you will need to start off by endorsing other people. After giving other people endorsements, it is highly likely that they will return the favor. This is a topic which we covered in a prior article in more depth here.
Whether you are actively seeking work or you simply want to connect with industry peers, you have to make sure that your profile is updated and looks good—and these five tips can help you accomplish exactly that.