We presume that most young professionals (YPs) spend more time on social media sites like Intagram, Facebook and Twitter than they do on the professional networking site LinkedIn. Many probably even spent more time creating their OK Cupid or Match.com profiles than their LinkedIn profile. Though LinkedIn is admittedly not the most exciting site in the world, its dismissal by some YPs is ironic since it could influence your career more than any networking event or business meeting that we all take so seriously. If you haven’t visited your LinkedIn profile in a while, now may be the time to brush it up…
Our notable LinkedIn tips:
Create a compelling headline
Your LinkedIn profile should include a headline (the information right under your name) that grabs attention and makes it clear why someone should want to learn more about you. Be more creative than to use your current job title as your headline; be descriptive and think of it in terms of a mini pitch, including what you have to bring to the table along with keywords that are most likely to used when they search for someone with your background.
Have a picture
It is weird if you don’t have a picture on LinkedIn. Not only will the presence of a photo make you more likely to have your profile viewed, if you leave a networking event with a pocketful of business cards as we busy YPs tend to, it is much easier to remember who is who when you follow up on LinkedIn. Plus, if there is no picture, people may think that there is something wrong.
Pick your picture wisely
Because it is not a dating site, your picture should not look like it is; keep cleavage to a minimum and refrain from any shot taken during an evening out. You should be alone in the shot, and never include significant others or children (or pets for that matter, unless you are a dog walker). It is meant to represent your professional, not personal, best. Anything else looks like you don’t take your career seriously. Keep in mind your posture, smile and story behind your eyes.
Never use it as a dating site
Yes, this should go without saying, but we have seen it happen – twice this year, in fact. LinkedIn is a professional networking site, not to be mistaken for OK Cupid, Plenty of Fish or even Facebook in terms of outreach to potential lovers and significant others. Never make personal advances to people via LinkedIn, especially those whom you have never met in person. It is not OK.
Don’t have typos
Though it seems to be another no-brainer, it is just as important to have your LinkedIn profile free of any grammatical errors as you do on your resume. Keep in mind that LinkedIn doesn’t have a built-in spell checker. Have someone look it over if you need to.
Remember to make yourself anonymous when you need to
If you don’t make your profile anonymous, LinkedIn members can tell when you have viewed their profile (and we really hope you knew this already, or you are probably mortified at the moment). We have had a few totally random people view our profile – from girlfriends of exes to frenemies and former employers. Remember, when stalking other people on LinkedIn (your ex), make yourself anonymous.
Don’t randomly add people you don’t know
We all get invites from people we haven’t met and don’t know (or at least don’t recall meeting). If you do send an invite to someone you don’t know, send a brief message to let him or her know why you’d like to connect with them, whether you have common interests or careers, or that you admire their work.
Customize your LinkedIn URL
Have you remembered to customize your URL? You should, it will only increase your personal branding. When you edit your profile, look under your photo (because you will have a photo) and check to see if the URL listed is a series of random letters or numbers. If it is, be sure to edit it and select your name, or some version of your name (try to get it as close as possible) if you aren’t able to secure your name as a URL. Stay away from nicknames or juvenile user names. Once you customize your URL, it makes it easier to share it on your business cards and your resume.
Don’t be stagnant
Many YPs neglect their LinkedIn profile when they are not currently searching for a job. Not only will this result in a mad scramble to revamp your profile should you ever look for a new job or even contract work on the side, you are missing valuable chances to keep yourself relevant in your professional circle and its connections through things like updates and participation in groups. Although it is not a popularity contest, and quality is definitely more important that quantity on LinkedIn, try to continuously increase your professional network – you never know when you may need to draw on it.
Cover Image From: Studionorth.co.uk
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