12 Secrets for Having A Professional-looking LinkedIn Profile

1. Head-shot: Upload a beautiful and colour-full profile photo- not a student in a university lab cloth or academic gown type! Below are some good examples, although not perfect:

* A professional studio headshot isn't a bad idea! A smile is always better! Tell the photographer that the head-shot must have a background and the best possible contrast. Get your current profile picture analysed and scored free at www.snappr.co Scroll to the bottom of the website, you'll see "Photo Analyzer", click and analyse your LinkedIn photo-shot. You should score 80 and above.

2. Upload a Cover Image (i.e., a picture behind your profile photo, also called LinkedIn background) - don't leave it as the default setting which is blue (Hint: click the ?pencil-like symbol at the blue segment, edit, then upload your desired image). For example, among candidates -A- (without a cover image) and -B- and -C- (with the cover images) below, which ones appear more professional or beautiful? You know the answer!

The image to upload can be something that appeals to you; something related to your industry or profession.

*** Do these on a computer. No, not a phone!??

3. Headline - include the job title you're aspiring to or already in. Or your hottest or in-demand job skills. Examples:

A better alternative is even to use a client-facing headline style. Some good examples below; again, not perfect but interesting guides championed by John Nemo!

● John Nemo (Foremost LinkedIn Coach) ● John Hawkins (Speaker) ● Dr Ita John (Employability Lead) ● Chris Brogan (Media Consultant) ● Brennen Lukas (Small Business Owner) ● Lisa Anderson (Financial Services) ● Bill Prater (Business Coaching) ● Bob Losey (Sales)

4. Write A Summary in its Segment. Write a 'client-facing' summary; cos it's not about you but the client, whether you're selling a good or service or not. In fact, you're selling yourself to potential employers! Check out the examples of the LinkedIn Summary of the persons cited in No. 3 above.

Meanwhile, here's one of the best articles on how to write your LinkedIn summary or 'About' section.

Another functional way to write it if you want recruiters to find you in their searches.

5. Complete your work experience section. Include your responsibilities + achievements

6. Add at least two colourful images to each subsection of both your work experience section and academic segment (See my LinkedIn for an example). Get pictures from pexels.com

My top 7 websites you can find images/graphics too: Unsplash; Freepick; Creative Market; Gratisography; Shutterstock; Pixabay; Freepik.

7. Complete every section to boost your LinkedIn optimisation

8. Ask people to recommend you. Reciprocate

9. Ask people who know you to endorse your skills

10. Publish at least 3 articles (aside short posts) in your area of interest or expertise. You can't be a thought leader without writing down your thoughts for others to read or follow!

11. Join LinkedIn Interest Groups. And Contribute. My groups, for example, include:

12. Change Your LinkedIn URL to a Custom Address (or name). For example, my LinkedIn URL is https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/itajohn-employability-uk/ AND NOT https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/ita-john-a92695a0/

How to have a custom URL:

1. Stay on you LinkedIn home page; at the top right-hand side, you'll see "Edit public profile & URL", click it.

2.There you'll see -

Edit URL

Personalise the URL for your profile.

You'll see an edit icon (a pencil-like symbol). Then, you can edit your LinkedIn name and include your job title or prospective job title. Doing this can help LinkedIn algorithm to optimise your address and allow recruiters to see you more frequently than if you never had a custom URL.

See the print screen (I used the snipping tool) of what I just described below:

Did I Miss Any Core Parts?

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Meanwhile, Here’s “MY 2018 ARTICLES & POSTS ALL IN ONE PLACE FOR YOUR QUICK ACCESS” And 2019 here. These were described by a jolly good fellow as 'perhaps the most useful web page to follow for all your job search success'

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