3 ways to make your LINKEDIN profile STAND OUT

Linkedin has 800 + million users and is the largest business social platform. Stats like that would make anyone terrified of using this tool to find jobs, create connections and start conversations. However, if you can stand out on Linkedin - the benefits are endless. With over 85% of us looking for new jobs; and another 70% extended opportunities - this is the time to use Linkedin to reach your goals.

Did you know that over 80% of recruiters use your Linkedin to understand your profile better when you apply for a role, and the average person only spends 8 seconds on an initial profile before making a decision?

I started using Linkedin properly in Jan 2020 and hacked my way to a Changemaker Status. Starting with only 100 connections, I am now a few shy from 25K without any paid adverts or support. It's been organic posting, sharing and educating.

Having a solid Linkedin profile enabled me to deliver 2 TED talks , deliver 30,000+ hours of training around diversity, inclusion & business, and even landed me my book deal: Unprepared to Entrepreneur .

I'm a big believer in sharing and supporting - so, here are my first 3 tips to make your Linkedin profile stand out. Comment below and let me know where else I can help you build your brand on Linkedin - and I will do, through articles, videos and workshops.

3 ways to make your LINKEDIN profile STAND OUT

Tip 1: Have a professional and clean picture to upload. No selfies with your arms in the photo - I am talking front-facing and fun.

Tip 2: Your headline summary should tell someone exactly what they need to know about you. No guessing - what you do, what you are looking to do, and even your side hustles along as they support your skills.

Tip 3: Linkedin is a standard platform, so the few things you can do to stand out you should - customising your header is one of them. Use free tools to jazz it up - as long as it complements the overall brand and your future goals.

Invest into your future

Masterclass: Schedule a 30-minute masterclass with me to review your Linkedin profile, support you with clear actions for your goals and provide templates.

Book in here

Unprepared to Entrepreneur: Buy the 11 chapter book and use chapter 7 to learn more about Linkedin, make most of the free templates and imitate examples from leading experts, founders and thought leaders (including myself.)

Buy from all leading retailers and book stores, including Amazon, Waterstones and Kogan Page .

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SONYA BARLOW IS AN AWARD-WINNING ENTREPRENEUR, FOUNDER OF?@LMFNETWORK , DIVERSITY COACH, TEDX SPEAKER, LINKEDIN CHANGEMAKER 2021, RADIO HOST?BBC ASIAN NETWORK'S THE EVERYDAY HUSTLE ?AND AUTHOR OF?UNPREPARED TO ENTREPRENEUR .

IN 2020, SHE WAS NAMED AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN TECH (COMPUTERWEEKLY), WINNER OF THE WOMEN IN SOFTWARE CHANGEMAKERS (MAKERS AND GOOGLE), TOP 50 BAME ENTREPRENEURS (TECHROUND), FUTURE SHAPER 2020 (MARIE CLAIRE), AND FORBES 30 UNDER 30 SHORTLIST RUNNER UP 2021. SHE HAS DELIVERED TWO?TEDX TALKS ?AND IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS AN INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER. SONYA HAS HAD HER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN METRO NEWSPAPER, SIFTED EU, AND TELEGRAPH.

As you know, LinkedIn Changemakers is a force-for-good, always-on campaign, spotlighting individuals like yourselves, whom each represents causes that impact the world of work; Mental Health, The Future of Work, Gender Equality, Racial Equality, LGBTQ+ Equality, Equality for professionals with Disabilities, Sustainability, and overcoming Unemployment/Career Setbacks. With LinkedIn's vision being "to drive economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce", the Changemakers programme is just one of several initiatives by LinkedIn to show their stance that everyone should have equitable access to opportunity and work. LinkedIn is also partnered with?UK Youth ,?10,000 Black Interns , and?MyKindaFuture's ?Connect ?programme in the UK. Find out more here .

This article was written as part of the LinkedIn #Changemakers campaign – a campaign shining a spotlight on individuals using LinkedIn to drive genuine change in the world of work. To find out more about the partnership, read more here. And if you want to join the conversation, share the one thing you'd like to change about the world of work in a post on LinkedIn with the hashtag #ConversationsForChange.