8 tips for a wow #LinkedIn profile!

Imagine having your #resume and accomplishments available to all recruiters and clients at the click of a button whenever they wanted. Well, that’s exactly what your LinkedIn profile is.

As a #leadershipcoach, I am amazed at how many corporate professionals do not focus on their LinkedIn profiles until they lose their job. The only exceptions are sales professionals, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs (especially those in the knowledge industry). Having no presence or a slipshod presence on LinkedIn may not be hara-kiri, but it is not much less either. Why would you not use all resources at your disposal?

 This is especially true in #Covid19 times. There will definitely be a shakeup in the economy, and nobody knows how the cookie will crumble. So, utilize the lockdown time and focus on putting your best foot forward.

 So, as a #leadershipcoach these are the top 7 tips, I ask all my coachees to focus on:

1.    Know your personal brand image: Your personal brand image is created by many factors and one of them is your conduct on social media. The key is to have clarity and consistency in your brand image irrespective of the medium.

2.    Think keywords: Brainstorm on the keywords that clients or recruiters would use to search. And ensure that your profile is keyword dense.

3.    The first impression is key:

• Profile picture: This is the first thing you notice about a profile. First and foremost, your profile picture needs to look like you do currently. Ideally, it should be a high resolution professionally shot image and not cropped from an existing picture. The picture should feature your face and your shoulders for the best results. You aim to convey both likeability and competence through your picture. One study of 800 profile pictures found that if you smiled in your picture (especially if you show some teeth) you are viewed as more competent and likable.    
• Background header photograph: Choose the backgrounder header photograph with care. A picture truly says a thousand words. It should be consistent with your personal brand image.
• Headline – Focus on keywords. Steer clear of cheesy buzz words like expert, guru, evangelist, etc. Let the reader make that decision through the content and style of your profile.

4.    Make it easy for a person to contact you: Fill in as many contact details as possible.

5.    Engagement is key: LinkedIn rewards activity. So, like and comment on posts. Start with curating and sharing quality content with insights from your end. Graduate to writing posts and articles. Don’t forget to tag people when you share them.

6.    More is more: Share as much as you can about yourself as that makes the reader feel as if they know you.

• About section – In the about section write in the first person. Use a friendly and professional tone. Ensure it is keyword dense. Ensure adequate white space so that it is easy on the eyes.
• Featured – Add photographs / video’s / links ... Anything that would demonstrate your competence.
• Experience- Be detailed about the last 10 years’ experience. Aggregate the experience prior to that. Use action verbs while writing. Stick to writing in the first person.
• Education: List each school, college, and university you attended. You want to connect with those who went to the same institutions as you did.
• Add licenses and certifications, volunteer experience if any, skills and endorsements, accomplishments, languages, publications, interests, etc.

7.    Use social proof for influence:

• Ask your supervisors, clients, classmates, etc.  for recommendations.
• Give succinct and truthful recommendations to your connections.

8.    Increase your reach:

• Join industry groups and alumni groups and engage with the group members.
• Send connections requests to everyone you know. Do not forget to add a personal note to the request.

 Implementing these simple tips would make your profile go from a middling one to a wow one.

And remember, consistency is key. Continue working #LinkedIn for the best results.

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