Paul Lewis lists his top 10 tips for creating the ultimate LinkedIn profile
There’s no better place to connect with business professionals or to find jobs than on LinkedIn. With three people being hired through LinkedIn every minute, it’s now more important than ever to make sure you have a profile that stands out. Here are some top tips for creating the ultimate LinkedIn profile:
1. Pick the Perfect Picture
Make sure you have dressed appropriately, your face is clearly displayed and you’re smiling to appear approachable and confident.
2. Make Your Headline More Than Just a Job Title
Use your headline to say a bit more about how you see your role, why you do what you do, and what makes you tick. A good headline provides an overview of what you do and encourages other LinkedIn users to click on your profile.
3. Back Up Your Buzzwords
Just because you use terms like ‘specialised’, ‘leadership’, ‘focused’, ‘strategic’ or ‘experienced’ to describe yourself, doesn’t prove you have those qualities. Demonstrate your abilities throughout your profile and in your posts as well as just listing them.
4. Turn Your Summary into Your Story
Your summary is the perfect opportunity to bring your page to life, so don’t just talk about your skills; explain why they matter and the difference you can make to people’s lives.
5. Expand Your Network
Having 500 connections establishes you as a networker and influencer on LinkedIn, and the more connections you have, the more likely you are to be seen by businesses. It’s best to only make quality connections that are relevant to you. Connect with present and past colleagues and prospective employers for the best results.
6. Show Off Your (Relevant) Skills
The key word here is ‘relevant’. While a long list of skills may look great, if you can’t do something to a high standard, remove it from your list, as you could be tripped up if an employer asks about it.
7. Take a Skills Assessment
A skills assessment is a voluntary online test that demonstrates your skills and displays a Verified Skills Badge on your profile. These badges can increase your employability factor when recruiters review your profile. The best thing about the skills assessments? You can retake the tests as often as you like before adding them to your profile, so they’re worth the effort.
8. Request Recommendations
In the same way that testimonials benefit a business, recommendations can benefit you. Ask your past employers, teachers, or colleagues for recommendations to illustrate their experience of working with you.
9. Follow Industry Experts
The people you follow on LinkedIn will dictate what you see on your feed. So, follow other Assistants to see a range of interesting and relevant content. You can then share this content to your page and add your opinion to demonstrate your expertise in this field.
10. Establish Your Expertise
Positioning yourself as a professional is probably the single most valuable thing you can do on LinkedIn. You can establish your expertise by commenting on posts, sharing content, and creating your own original content. These simple steps can transform your profile.
