10 Reasons to Update your LinkedIn Profile

(from a Talent Development Perspective)

“I’m not looking for a job, so why is it important to update my LinkedIn Profile?”

As a recruiter and talent development professional, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. You might not be on the site as often, especially if you’re not currently job searching, and that’s ok. But I guarantee, people are still finding your profile. Why? For any number of reasons - they're looking to network, recruit, connect, or learn more about you.

Each of those reasons presents a strong rationale for why it’s worthwhile for you to update your LinkedIn profile at least once a year - not only for other people's benefit but for your growth as a professional.

Here are the top 10 reasons why I encourage people to update their LinkedIn profile, and why I try to keep my own updated as well:

1. Someone is thinking about joining your organization. If your organization is hiring for any position, chances are that candidates for that role are looking into the business. Would they want to work there? Do they know anyone who works there? What are employees saying about it? In the process of doing their research, there is a good chance they’ll land on LinkedIn and find the profiles of folks who work there. What does your profile say about the business, and about you as a potential colleague? Do you have your latest role listed? Are you showing pride in your workplace? You can help your business to recruit and hire outstanding colleagues by showing up on LinkedIn as a colleague they’d like to work with.
2. You met someone at a conference or networking event. They enjoyed talking with you, and they’d like to stay connected in the future. Chances are they’ll go to LinkedIn to find your profile and connect with you. If they forget some of the details – “what was that person’s last name?” they can still search the Linked in menu to find you with the clues they do remember – which will only work if your profile is updated. If you haven’t changed your title or your employer, or you are missing information, they’re not going to find you as easily. You may miss out on that networking connection.
3. You’re submitting a conference proposal or publication draft. Many organizations that are looking for presenters, authors, and speakers will turn to LinkedIn to double-check that person’s credentials. If they will be investing in you, they might want to see how professionally you present yourself, how your personality shows through, or who endorses you. Beyond what they see in your application, they might check to see if they know someone who knows you, or if they are familiar with other settings in which you’ve presented or published.
4. There’s a job out there you didn’t know you wanted. Even if you aren’t actively looking, there are recruiters out there who are looking for candidates for new and interesting roles you may never hear about. LinkedIn’s Recruiter platform is an active way for talent development folks, like myself, to find people who fit their criteria and might consider looking at the role. With an updated profile, you’re keeping yourself open to unexpected opportunities. Sure, you can politely decline an inquiry from a recruiter, but what if an opportunity that is “too good to miss” comes your way?
5. There’s a job out there for someone you know. Recruiters also use LinkedIn to build their network so that folks can refer people to potential jobs. You may not be looking, but you might have a friend or colleague who definitely is and you can pass that information on. If you are “findable,” than you can help recruiters and colleagues to connect who otherwise might not have crossed paths. This makes you a valuable part of your professional community.
6. You’re looking to drum up business. If you’re a small business owner, self-employed, or an entrepreneur, networking ought to be top of mind at all times. Sure, someone might go to your business website to learn about what you do, but they may also scan your profile on LinkedIn to understand what you have done in the past, what your qualifications are for the work, and whether you seem to present yourself as reliable and trustworthy.
7. You may be looking for a job 5 years from now. And when that time comes, you won’t want to have waited 10 years to update your resume or LinkedIn profile. Updating AT LEAST on an annual basis means you’ll keep up with yourself, document your accomplishments, and remember to include key professional milestones. Make it easy for your future self by keeping up with things along the way.
8. Your priorities have changed. You used to be passionate about education and student success, but lately you’ve become enthralled with the work you’re doing around educator professional development. It’s a small tweak, but how you present yourself and your interests has evolved. Has your LinkedIn profile and description kept up with you? Even if you aren’t looking for a new job, the act of updating your profile can lead to some new “aha” moments in your own professional growth – who am I as a professional? What do I want people to know about me when they first see my name? Don’t let them see an outdated version of you that doesn’t accurately reflect where you are today.
9. You’re open to side gigs. Even if you’re not looking for a full-time job, you might be open to side-gigs (as long as they don’t compete with or threaten your current role). Ask at work what the guidelines are for taking on outside jobs, and if side-gigs are ok, let your LinkedIn network know more about your skills and interests. Create a current role that expands on the skills you want to offer in your spare time, add those skills to your skills section, include any related certifications, and consider getting a few references to testify to those skills in the recommendations sections of your profile.
10. You’re a cool person. People should know about you as a professional and your professional identity deserves a unique presence. Updating your LinkedIn Profile helps to round out your professional “brand” by including unique experiences, qualifications, and interests. It helps you to be more than just your current role and tell a story about your professional journey. And believe it or not, there are people out there (like me) who are interested in your story!