How to Maximise Your LinkedIn Profile: Harnessing the Power of New Skills Features

Welcome to all of this week's new subscribers to The Link Tank?? newsletter; my newsletter always focuses on the practical: Real, implementable strategies to increase your LinkedIn ROI,?sometimes focusing on the what but?always?focusing on the how!

In the face of constant economic instability, the ability to adapt and remain relevant is crucial. One platform that offers insight into the evolving professional landscape is LinkedIn. With recent updates to its skill features, it's become a key tool for demonstrating your abilities and value to potential employers or clients.

Embracing Change Amidst Uncertainty

"Change is the only constant in life" - Heraclitus

In a world where economic disruption feels like the new normal, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve. LinkedIn offers a wealth of data, insights, and resources to help you navigate these uncertain times. In fact, recent data shows that conversations around economic downturns have soared nearly 900% since last year, and topics like layoffs are trending on LinkedIn1.

But fear not, for every challenge presents an opportunity. As a savvy professional, you can leverage this information to strengthen your career and stay in demand.

In a rapidly changing job market, the ability to demonstrate in-demand skills can provide a significant competitive advantage. This is where LinkedIn's recent skills update comes into play.

LinkedIn's 2023 Most In-Demand Skills list offers an insider look at the top skills sought by employers when recruiting and hiring on LinkedIn. By aligning your skill set with these high-demand areas, you can boost your marketability and increase your career prospects, regardless of the macroeconomic environment.

The Evolution of LinkedIn Skills Feature

LinkedIn's skills feature has transformed, shifting from a random assortment of words to a more structured and meaningful representation of your expertise. This change carries significant implications for how professionals portray themselves on the platform.

The Power of Standardised Skills

Previously, LinkedIn users could enter any word or phrase under the skills section of their profile. With the new update, LinkedIn now offers standardised skill names, making it easier for users to accurately represent their expertise.

If you work in the field of accessibility, you can now also select from a list of standardised job titles, such as “accessibility designer” or “accessibility engineer,” to help you be more easily discovered and find opportunities that match your skills.

The Value of Meaningful Endorsements

Endorsements on LinkedIn have evolved from mere relationship-building tools to valuable representations of your qualifications and experience. When your skills are endorsed by others, it adds credibility to your profile and can enhance your visibility on the platform

How Can I Do That?

• Log In to LinkedIn:
• Go to LinkedIn and log in to your account.
• Visit the Profile:
• Search for the person you want to endorse in the search bar at the top.
• Click on their name to visit their profile.
• Skills & Endorsements Section:
• Scroll down to the "Skills & Endorsements" section of their profile.
• Endorse a Skill:
• Next to each skill listed, you'll see a '+' icon. Click on the '+' icon next to the skill you want to endorse.
• If the person has multiple skills listed, you can endorse as many as you feel are appropriate.
• Confirm Endorsement:

A pop-up might appear asking you to confirm how proficient the person is in the skill you're endorsing and how you know about their expertise in that skill. Answer the questions and click "Submit" or "Endorse."

Endorse Multiple Skills:

If you want to endorse multiple skills at once, there might be an option at the top of the "Skills & Endorsements" section that says "Endorse All." By clicking this, you can quickly endorse multiple skills. However, use this option judiciously and only if you genuinely believe the person possesses those skills.

After endorsing, the '+' icon will change, indicating that you've endorsed that particular skill. The number next to the skill might also increase, reflecting the new endorsement.

While not necessary, it's a nice gesture to send a personal message to the person you've endorsed, letting them know you've endorsed their skills and perhaps sharing why you felt compelled to do so.

Remember, endorsements on LinkedIn are public, so only endorse skills you genuinely believe the person possesses. It's a way of vouching for your connections and can be a valuable form of professional support.

Boosting Your Skills

One of the exciting features of the new update is the ability to boost your skills by linking them to specific roles, companies, university degrees, courses, or certifications. This not only highlights your expertise but also adds credibility to your profile. Here is an example taken from my own profile to show you how you can link specific skills eg. LinkedIn Training to a particular role / experience:

PROVE IT!

Adding certifications from recognised platforms and taking LinkedIn Skill Assessments can further enhance your skills, making you stand out in your field.

Aligning with LinkedIn's Algorithm

The skills update aligns with LinkedIn's algorithm, boosting content visibility for those who are more qualified in particular skills.

Keyword Optimisation: Recruiters often use keywords to search for potential candidates. Ensure your skills align with industry-specific keywords. For instance, here are some of the best SEO keywords to include in the 'Skills' section of a LinkedIn profile for professionals in wealth management:

Core Skills:

Wealth Management

Financial Planning

Asset Management

Investment Strategies

Portfolio Management

Financial Analysis

Service-Oriented Skills:

Retirement Planning

Estate Planning

Tax Advisory

Risk Assessment

Financial Consulting

Investment Advisory

Technical and Analytical Skills:

Financial Modeling

Market Analysis

Asset Allocation

Economic Forecasting

Financial Software (e.g., Bloomberg, Morningstar)

Client Relationship Skills:

Client Relationship Management (CRM)

Client Onboarding

Client Retention Strategies

High Net Worth Client Management

Client Education

Regulatory and Compliance Skills:

Financial Regulations

Compliance Management

SEC Regulations

Fiduciary Responsibility

Niche and Specialised Skills:

Sustainable Investing

Alternative Investments

Private Equity

Hedge Funds Management

Real Estate Investment

Communication and Soft Skills:

Financial Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Team Collaboration

Ethical Decision Making

Digital and Technology Skills:

Robo-Advisory Platforms

Digital Wealth Management

Financial Planning Software (e.g., MoneyGuidePro, eMoney)

Fintech Solutions

Certifications and Qualifications (if applicable):

CFP (Certified Financial Planner)

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

Updating Your Skills

Ultimately, the new LinkedIn skills update is more than just a facelift. It's a strategic move designed to make skills more standardised, meaningful, and aligned with professional qualifications. By understanding and leveraging these changes, professionals can enhance their visibility and credibility on the platform.

With these significant changes, it's time to give your LinkedIn profile a brush-up. Align your skills with your work experience, education, and certifications to make your profile stand out from the crowd! ?.

Remember, the journey of professional growth is a marathon, not a sprint ????♀?. So, take your time to understand these changes, update your profile, and stay ahead of the curve. Because when your skills are in demand, you are in demand.

Is this helpful? Please leave a comment below!?

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