How you present yourself or your business on a social media platform is comparable to a face-to-face introduction with a potential employer, business partner, or client.
As the largest global professional network, LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to showcase your experience and expertise to an ever-growing network of professionals across all industries.
Paired with your most glowing headshot, a humble biography, and listed skills and experiences, you can introduce yourself to an entire platform from the comfort of your device.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- What are the 7 best practices for a LinkedIn profile?
- What are 4 key tips for building an effective LinkedIn profile?
- What is the most important section of a LinkedIn profile?
- Make a LinkedIn profile that stands out from the noise
What are the 7 Best practices for a LinkedIn Profile?
In a virtual world, a shining LinkedIn profile can reach hundreds, if not thousands, of related industry professionals. If you want to expand your professional network or job opportunities, here are the seven best practices to make your profile stand out.
1. Professionalism
While acknowledging that LinkedIn is a social networking platform, it’s essential to keep your page professional – not casual.
A professional profile page helps build your credibility as a potential partner or employee. This platform is a limitless network chain home to over 930 million LinkedIn users.
Remember to focus on what makes you valuable to your audience!
Keeping your profile professional will help you maintain a positive reputation when connecting with others and promoting your personal or commercial brand.
2. Keep It Updated and Regularly Add To Your Feed
LinkedIn can be used both as a resume and networking tool; Engaging with posts, joining groups, and posting relevant content can help you connect with fellow professionals within your field.
Not only can you share ideas, but also learn something new! Staying active with current trends, hashtags, and connections can help you be promoted as a relevant job candidate.
Examples of active engagement include:
- Sharing personal insight on articles
- Using interactive polls
- Sharing your company’s achievements
3. Create An Interesting Summary
On LinkedIn, you can write a short biography highlighting your services/skills, experience, certification(s)/education, and job search expectations.
These areas can be expanded on in the dedicated sections of your LinkedIn profile, but this short biography is the equivalent of an elevator pitch.
With a quick introduction to your professional identity, your audience can decide if they want to explore your profile further.
This is why your summary should highlight the most interesting and relevant aspects of yourself and your business, according to your target audience.
4. Highlight Your Skills
In your dedicated skills section, highlight your strengths! For those looking for work, this can include hard skills (job-specific duties that can be taught) and soft skills (people-centered skills that you would bring to your position).
Hard skills include:
- Fluency in languages
- Programming
- Software
- Accounting
- Degrees and certifications
Soft skills include:
- Communication
- Work ethic
- Leadership
- Time management
- Creativity
5. Start Making Connections
Connections are your lifeblood! Even if a primary connection does not have a current position or fitting opportunity for you, most likely, they are connected to someone that does.
You are more likely to network between primary and secondary connections toward your professional goals. Connections also translate into relationships and help build trust across your professional field.
Consider joining LinkedIn groups for additional support and connections in your specialty!
6. Use Visual Media
Alongside text posts, visual media can certainly help you stand out. Whether this be your profile picture, related background photo, or media posts, you can attract more and more page engagement the more engaging you make your content.
Visual media includes photographs, videos, or infographics.
This is a successful method if you want to increase your profile views.
7. Add A Headshot
Adding a headshot to your profile “puts a name to a face” – and helps you stand out among competitors. This picture directly reflects who you are, so keep that in mind.
Let your creativity fly as long as it correlates with your brand, all while maintaining a prudent degree of professionalism. A creative yet professional headshot that stands out from the norm can push your brand through the noise and boost your likelihood of being hired, acquiring a partnership, or making a sale.
What Are the 4 Key Tips for Building an Effective LinkedIn Profile?
Now that you know some tips and tricks to make your profile stand out, here are four key tips to grow your platform to maximum efficiency:
- Make your job title clear and concise. Be straight to the point with what you do and aspire for; this way, your goals don’t get lost in a sea of filler words. Lengthy job descriptions are a challenging read for your audience.
- Choose a professional and simple profile photo. Avoid group/partner pictures, as your photo should focus on you, not the background. While we’re sure you look great in your going-out selfie, maintain a business-centered photo. Plan to take a LinkedIn profile picture from your chest up with bright lighting. Avoid an extreme close-up!
- Use your profile to tell a story. By using consistent themes and topics, your profile will tell more about you as both an individual and professional. This builds your personal brand and sets you apart from your peers.
- Complete your profile. Even if you have information on your page, that doesn’t mean it’s complete. LinkedIn’s algorithm favors completed profiles, placing you higher in search results. Having content for each section will make an impression and give you an advantage in the eyes of hiring managers.
What is the Most Important Section of a LinkedIn Profile?
Sure, your pearly whites will look good at the top of your profile, but a more in-depth look into your experience section truly attracts people to your page.
The most critical areas you should highlight are:
- Work experience
- Job title
- Endorsements
- Featured skills
Each of these areas helps describe you as an employee, showing what your experience brings to the table. If you have been strongly endorsed in both hard and soft skills, employers recognize your impactful field involvement.
Make a LinkedIn Profile that Stands Out from the Noise
Use your Linkedin profile to benefit you! From in-field connections to job offers, LinkedIn serves as more than a fun place to scroll.
At Striventa, we have a team of content specialists to help you shine across all social platforms and stand out among your competitors.
Connect with our team today to grow your brand and hear more about LinkedIn profile tips.