Mastering LinkedIn: Boost Your Profile, Spark Your Network!

Everyone’s on LinkedIn.

But not everyone is creating waves.

If you want to stand out in the crowd and unlock the full potential of your professional journey, there is one powerful tool that will be a game-changer for you.

Two words: Your profile!

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is an amazing way to power-up your career development. It acts as your display window to the world, and as you've probably heard a thousand times, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.

Now, think about your LinkedIn profile as yours.

It's like a digital handshake.

Just like in-person meetings, people are hard-wired to make quick judgments about you based on your profile so make sure it's a memorable one:

"Design is how you make your first impression with your consumers, make sure it is a lasting one" - Jay Samit

美国哈佛商学院 researcher and social psychologist Amy Cuddy , who is studying how humans behave when meeting others, posits in a WIRED interview that these quick judgments have an immense impact on how people see us and the opportunities we could get.

WIRED : What have you learned about how we form first impressions?

Amy Cuddy : When we form a first impression of another person it's not really a single impression. We're really forming two. We're judging how warm and trustworthy the person is, and that’s trying to answer the question, “What are this person's intentions toward me?” And we're also asking ourselves, “How strong and competent is this person?” That's really about whether or not they're capable of enacting their intentions. Research shows that these two trait dimensions account for 80 to 90 percent of an overall first impression, and that holds true across cultures.

So, let's dive into how can we create great and positive first impressions through our LinkedIn profile!

1. At first glance

Picture this: someone lands on your LinkedIn profile.

What do they take a peek at first?

Easy: Your headline and profile pic.

How to create an awesome headline:

1. Be clear and specific - You need to be very clear about who you are and what you do. Avoid vague terms and get straight to the point. Example: "Architect Specializing in Sustainable Design" is more effective than just "Architect".
2. Show your value - Highlight what makes you unique. What sets you apart from others in your industry? Example: "Expert in AI and Machine Learning | Innovative Software Developer"
3. Be authentic - Make sure your personality shines through your headline. This helps you stand out and be more memorable! Example: "Turning Ideas into Graphic Masterpieces | Passionate Graphic Designer"
4. Action! - Use powerful action verbs to convey a sense of proactiveness and achievement. Example: "Driving Growth Through Strategic Marketing Initiatives"
5. Keywords are key - Use the ones that are related to your industry or expertise. This improves your visibility in searches. Example: "SEO Specialist | Boosting Online Visibility and Rankings"
6. Achievements - You can mention awards, certifications, or great accomplishments to boost credibility. Example: "Award-Winning Sales Professional | Exceeding Targets Consistently"
7. Be Creative - Don't be afraid to go the extra mile, as long as it aligns with your professional image - again, this helps staying top of mind. Example: "Chief Happiness Officer | Creating Positive Work Cultures"

It's very important that you convey a strong and memorable identity - remember, your headline is the first snapshot of who you are, so make it count!

Now, let's move into your profile pic.

Do's and Don'ts about your profile picture

Do's:

1. Be Work-Ready - Choose a pic where you look like a go-getter – not necessarily formal, but something that says, "I'm here to get things done".
2. Dress the Part - Wear what you'd put on for a meeting in your industry. It's your professional look, after all.
3. Show That Face - Make sure your photo is clear, and that people can see your head and shoulders. No mystery profiles!
4. Chase the Sun (Cool tip!) - Using natural light works wonders and gives you a LinkedIn glow-up.
5. Smile for Success - Crack a smile or at least a friendly expression. Nobody wants to connect with a LinkedIn grump.

Don'ts:

1. Selfies are a No-Go - Don't snap a selfie. We're not on Instagram; this is LinkedIn.
2. Background Noise - Don't pick a busy background. Keep it plain, so we don't get distracted trying to figure out what's going on. This also applies to your clothes, don't wear too many patterns.
3. No Time Traveling - Don't use a pic from 10 or 20 years ago. Let people see the current, awesome you. Specially in events, you use the LinkedIn profile pic to ID the person you are meeting with so it should be updated.
4. Extreme Edits - Don't go overboard with filters or heavy editing if you want people to recognize you. Keep it real; authenticity goes a long way!
5. Strike a Pose - Don't do overly casual poses. Keep it cool but still pro.

Stick to these simple do's and don'ts, and your LinkedIn profile picture will be sending out all the right vibes for an amazing first impression!

As we continue to dive into LinkedIn mastery, remember this: your headline is your opening line, and your profile picture is your virtual smile. They're not just details; they're your pass to a world of connections and possibilities.

Keep it real, keep it you, and watch the magic unfold!

Scrolling down on your profile, here's your next step:

2. The About section: How to Nail it!

Your "About" should answer all of these questions:

Who are you? What do you do? Why are you passionate about your work? Are you passionate about your work? What industries have you worked in? What sets you apart? What are your key accomplishments? What are your goals? How can you help others? How can people connect with you?

Anatomy of an awesome "About" section:

A great about section should be divided in 5 separate paragraphs that narrate your journey - with a CTA closing the story:

1. Intro - Start off strong, this is your punchline. A good initial hook is what’ll keep your readers wanting to know more about you. Once you have that, start by describing yourself, and what you care about with simple yet powerful adjectives. Overall, it should have a positive vibe, as again, people like connecting with friendly people. Example: I'm kind of a vitamin person for any team, a good dosis of energy, enthusiasm, and passion.
2. History time - A bit about your journey - what do you do, exactly? And what have you done in the past, what industries, what areas within your industry? Degrees? Spell it all out! You can also share your point of view on issues —if there’s any— within your field. Example: I have worked in many different roles such as Job Captain, Project/BIM Architect and Project Manager. I've learned how to manager a project and take it to the next level as I enhance processes within the architecture realm.
3. Today - What are you doing today? What makes you different from others in the same industry? Why are you interested in a certain topic? You can also briefly outline your current responsibilities and how you are developing in a different and innovative manner. Example: My passion lies in the very intersection where the "ways of doing things" (TECHNOLOGY) and the hands that shape the way (PEOPLE) meet.
4. What's next? - Describe what you want to achieve in the future, where are you headed and why. Example: I've recently landed on the fantastic automation world and I believe it is the key to redefining workflows and dynamics in the AEC Industry.
5. Jazz it up! - Share a fun fact, a hobby, what you like to do on your free time! You never know when you might bond with someone over a shared love of knitting, cats or history.
6. Call to action - Last but not least, make it easy for people to connect with you! Don't be afraid to invite them to take action: share what you're interested in discussing, as well as ways to reach out, e.g. your email, a scheduling page or your socials.

Wrapping up and enhancing the full power of your profile, now is time for the finishing touches!

3. Details Matter: Elevating Your Profile to Greatness

“God is in the details.” - so said Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

When it comes to LinkedIn mastery, every element of your profile matters. In addition to your headline and 'About' section, it's crucial to pay attention to the finer details.

Here's how you can make your profile truly shine:

Work Experience:

• Clear Role Description: This is your opportunity to demonstrate the tangible impact you've made in your roles and the value you bring to potential connections. I highly recommend you use bullet points to list your specific responsibilities, so as to give a clearer picture of what your position entails.
• Highlight Achievements: While listing your positions is essential, don't forget to showcase specific achievements, recognitions, and any relevant media from your professional journey.

Education, Licenses & Certifications:

• Embrace Life-long Learning: LinkedIn learning is a wonderful tool that'll benefit not only your abilities, but also your profile: when you complete a course, you can add a certificate to the education section of your profile!

Skills and Endorsements & Recommendations:

• Select Key Skills: Choose ten of your most relevant skills that you want to be known for and seek endorsements and recommendations for them.
• Give to Receive: Take the initiative by endorsing others, as people are more likely to reciprocate. This not only enhances your credibility but also kickstarts your networking efforts.

2x Bonus for reading this far:

• Quality Over Quantity: When growing your network, remember that it's not just about the number of connections; quality connections matter more.
• Keywords are not just for your headline! Pay special attention to the exact words you’re using, because LinkedIn will use them to filter your profile and boost your visibility.

Hope this helped, now it’s time to light up your profile! ??

Once you’ve covered all the basics, watch the magic unfold: remember everyone is on LinkedIn and your next big opportunity might be just one connection away!

About me: I'm a passionate entrepreneur, writer and women in leadership advocate. Co-founder of slantis. Speaker at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and Practice of Architecture. Wife 1x, Mom x2, Entrepreneur 1000x. Follow me to learn how we grow our awesome company!