LinkedIn Profile Workshop
Published on Nov 18, 2015
To rank high in LinkedIn search, your profile needs to be 100% complete. This workshop, presented to the Corridor Job Club on December 2, 2014, highlights strategies for each section of LinkedIn so you can complete your profile and leverage the power of LinkedIn.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Goal: 100% Complete
- 1 Current/2 Past Positions
- Summary
- Education and Skills
- A Professional Photo
- 3 Recommendations
LinkedIn suggests that when your profile is 100% complete, your chances of rising toward the top of LinkedIn searches greatly improves.
In addition to a profile photo, you need the following items for your profile to be considered 100% complete:
In addition to a profile photo, you need the following items for your profile to be considered 100% complete:
Photo by studio79
Backup your LinkedIn Profile
Using the menu bar at the top of the page, click “Profile.”
Next to the “Edit” button is a small arrow.
Click the arrow and you will see a drop-down menu.
Choose “Export to PDF” from that menu.
Next to the “Edit” button is a small arrow.
Click the arrow and you will see a drop-down menu.
Choose “Export to PDF” from that menu.
Photo by brianjmatis
Turn Off Activity Broadcasts
If you don’t turn off activity broadcasts, all of your Connections will receive notifications of every change you make to your LinkedIn Profile.
From the drop-down menu, click on the blue “Review” link next to “Privacy & Settings.”
On the “Privacy & Settings” page, click on the blue link for “Turn on/off your activity broadcasts” under the “Privacy Controls” section.
A pop-up page will appear. Make sure the box is unchecked.
SAVE your changes.
From the drop-down menu, click on the blue “Review” link next to “Privacy & Settings.”
On the “Privacy & Settings” page, click on the blue link for “Turn on/off your activity broadcasts” under the “Privacy Controls” section.
A pop-up page will appear. Make sure the box is unchecked.
SAVE your changes.
Photo by altemark
Customize your Headline
Your Headline appears beside your name everywhere on LinkedIn.
In search results your headline is the only line that shows up, other than your picture and name.
You have 120-characters to use in your headline. Maximize every one!
In search results your headline is the only line that shows up, other than your picture and name.
You have 120-characters to use in your headline. Maximize every one!
Photo by just.Luc
Your Headline Might Include:
- Job Titles
- Types of Projects
- Industry/Geographic Specializations
- Certifications/Designations
- Notable Clients/Brands
Photo by kevin dooley
Headline Strategies
- Default to Title/Company
- Focus on Functions
- Link to Company Needs
- Tout a Testimonial
According to Susan Whitcomb's book Resume Magic, the 12 specific needs a company has include the company’s desire to:
make money
save money
save time
make work easier
solve a specific problem
be more competitive
build relationships or an image
expand their business
attract new customers
retain existing customers
Which of those needs to do you solve?
make money
save money
save time
make work easier
solve a specific problem
be more competitive
build relationships or an image
expand their business
attract new customers
retain existing customers
Which of those needs to do you solve?
Photo by dsevilla
Customize your URL
Customize your URL by selecting the “Profile” menu from the navigation bar.
Click “Edit Profile” from the drop-down menu and select the “Edit” box next to the existing URL.
This will take you to a “Public Profile” page. Click on the blue link for “Customize your public profile URL.”
Your custom URL can contain between 5 and 30 letters or numbers (not including spaces, symbols, or special characters).
LinkedIn will let you know if your custom URL is available.
Click “Edit Profile” from the drop-down menu and select the “Edit” box next to the existing URL.
This will take you to a “Public Profile” page. Click on the blue link for “Customize your public profile URL.”
Your custom URL can contain between 5 and 30 letters or numbers (not including spaces, symbols, or special characters).
LinkedIn will let you know if your custom URL is available.
Photo by leshoward
Summarize Your Career Journey
The summary section has a 2,000-character limit.
The first 2-3 sentences need to instantly get your prospects interested in your profile.
Use keywords to enhance search results.
Write in 1st person.
Emphasize outcomes as well as what makes you uniquely qualified to succeed.
Find the common thread throughout your work and tell the story of your career journey.
The first 2-3 sentences need to instantly get your prospects interested in your profile.
Use keywords to enhance search results.
Write in 1st person.
Emphasize outcomes as well as what makes you uniquely qualified to succeed.
Find the common thread throughout your work and tell the story of your career journey.
Photo by skoeber
Sample Summary Structure
Opening paragraph:
Draw attention to issues, challenges, or problems faced by your prospective employer.
2nd/3rd paragraphs:
Demonstrate the value you offer to employers by quantifying the accomplishments in your current position (ideally related to the problems outlined in the first paragraph).
4th paragraph:
Issue a call to action.
Draw attention to issues, challenges, or problems faced by your prospective employer.
2nd/3rd paragraphs:
Demonstrate the value you offer to employers by quantifying the accomplishments in your current position (ideally related to the problems outlined in the first paragraph).
4th paragraph:
Issue a call to action.
Photo by tim caynes
Elevate your Experience
1,988-character limit for EACH position.
Incorporate keywords into your job titles (100-characters available for EACH job title).
1 current and 2 past positions are needed to be considered 100% complete.
You can write in the same 1st person conversational tone as in your summary.
Use Unicode symbols, CAPS, and lines to create visual distinctions.
Visit alt-codes.net to find symbols that work on LinkedIn.
Incorporate keywords into your job titles (100-characters available for EACH job title).
1 current and 2 past positions are needed to be considered 100% complete.
You can write in the same 1st person conversational tone as in your summary.
Use Unicode symbols, CAPS, and lines to create visual distinctions.
Visit alt-codes.net to find symbols that work on LinkedIn.
Photo by dwarfadam
Expound on Education
To add a college or university, click on the blue “+ Add education” icon.
Education needs to be included for your profile to be considered 100% complete.
List out courses, projects, and other details that are relevant.
You can also upload presentations or other multimedia content.
Education needs to be included for your profile to be considered 100% complete.
List out courses, projects, and other details that are relevant.
You can also upload presentations or other multimedia content.
Photo by eriwst
Showcase your Skills
The Skills section is one of the top sources of keywords used in searches.
You can add up to 50 Skills to your profile.
Generally, you want to include as many Skills as you can, as it can help you be found by recruiters and hiring managers.
You can add up to 50 Skills to your profile.
Generally, you want to include as many Skills as you can, as it can help you be found by recruiters and hiring managers.
Photo by Wonderlane
Get Recommended
According to LinkedIn, “Users with Recommendations in their profiles are 3x more likely to receive relevant offers and inquiries through searches on LinkedIn.”
Aim for 3 recommendations to reach 100% .
Use industry-specific terminology in your Recommendations.
Keywords included in LinkedIn Recommendations also receive emphasis in search engine results — especially searches within LinkedIn.
Aim for 3 recommendations to reach 100% .
Use industry-specific terminology in your Recommendations.
Keywords included in LinkedIn Recommendations also receive emphasis in search engine results — especially searches within LinkedIn.
Photo by smohundro
Expand your Network
Add relevant sections (languages, projects, certifications) using the Recommended for You toolbar.
Incorporate multimedia whenever possible.
Connect your blog and/or other social media accounts (if relevant to your professional brand)
Upload a great photo!
Connect with others and expand your network.
Incorporate multimedia whenever possible.
Connect your blog and/or other social media accounts (if relevant to your professional brand)
Upload a great photo!
Connect with others and expand your network.
Photo by dsevilla
Connect with me for more LinkedIn strategies.
Photo by Kaeru
