Standout With an Optimized LinkedIn Profile

Note: read the full blog post here.

There is something for everyone in LinkedIn. If you are job seeker,?this can be landing your next job. For recruiters, they use it to find candidates to hire.

If you are already working and perhaps happy with your job, you can use LinkedIn to grow your network, find the right partner to help you grow your business, or get help on business problems.

For salesperson, this is your backyard, you use to find leads and learn more about your prospects. I use it a lot actually everyday at my work.

1. Profile Picture

The first tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Profile Picture.

Researchers found out using heat maps that the first thing people look at is your profile picture. It is your chance to create the best first impression, so make sure to work on this first.

High resolution is absolute must, make sure your picture is 400×400 pixel. Don’t be shy to ask for help from your friends.

Second, please please don’t use a group photo and make sure you are the only one in the photo.

Avoid using your passport or ID photo. The resolution is not right, and most probably your photo is 10 years old at least. Moreover, no selfies.

Try not to stand far away from the camera. Your face should take around 60% of the frame. Remember, this is your chance to leave great first impression. It is also good to wear what you’d wear at work. Use your own judgement here.

2. Background Image

The second tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Background Picture.

LinkedIn Background image, is all about showing your personality and brand. It tells unspoken words about who you are, and is seen in the first couple of seconds. It depends on you how utilize this feature.

You can simply show some personality, promote for your mission, or a recent book you’ve authored. Keep in mind that There is no wrong or right here.

3. Improve your headline

The third tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Headline.

You might be tempted to simply write your?job role?and?position?and call it a day. My advice to you is to ask yourself, how do you want to sell yourself and please?Tailor your headline to your audience.

People usually include their mission, industry or skills. The key thing to remember to use good keywords to get better chances of being discovered by recruiters. For example, if you want to land a job as a cloud architect , make sure to use the word architect in your headline.

4. Summary Section (About)

Now, let’s talk about the Summary section and please give me your deep attention in this section.

If LinkedIn is giving you something valuable, it is your summary section because you get incredible chance to introduce yourself in your own words.

You no longer have to let your latest role speak for you. A LinkedIn summary allows you to make a personable first impression and highlight your accomplishments and expertise using your own words. While your prior roles may be notable, they’re not the only things people should know about you.

Add a little flair and humor or keep it super professional. Either way, your LinkedIn summary will give recruiters and other users a taste of what they can expect if they reach out to you. It can also help recruiters gauge culture fit and help prospects and potential clients get a sense of whether they’d like to work with you.

LinkedIn uses the summary section in its algorithm, as well as your?LinkedIn headline, current title, and other factors. By writing a keyword-rich LinkedIn summary, you can become more visible to potential prospects and recruiters in search results.

5. Experience Section

Add all your job titles while working at each company to show your promotion history. Recruiters love to see your promotion history and work progress.

For each role, add result driven achievement statement using the action verb. For each role,?LinkedIn allows you to add relevant skills for each role under Skills section.

My recommendation is to start your sentences with an action verb and then the task description. Let me give you an example. Start with verbs such as driving, initiating, selling, increasing. Make them result driven, such as initiating a targeted email marketing campaign that resulted in a 15% upswing in newsletter registration.

6. Education Section

The sixth tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Education section.

First, add your higher education first and make it more visible. Second, Show the skills you’ve learned and how this helps you at work.

Take some time and reconnect with graduates from your school and university to grow your network.

7. Featured Section

The seventh tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Featured section.

The?Featured?section allows you to showcase samples of your work to people who view your LinkedIn profile. This is a great way to provide evidence of your skills and experience.

Here is an example of how you can make this section stand out with right sized images, and good titles.

8. Endorsements Matter!

The 8th tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Endorsements section.

This is important because according to LinkedIn, people who list at least five skills, receive up to 17x more profile views. Always remember,?If you want to get?endorsements and recommendations, start by giving them to others.

9. Recent Recommendations

The 9th tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Recommendations section.

Recommendations enhance credibility. Make sure to get relevant recommendations. If you are a salesperson, make sure you get recommendations that highlights your selling skills.

Remember, when you ask people for recommendations, tell them what skills you want them to highlight. Don’t just settle for generic one.

10.Interest Section

The 10th tip for you to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to work on your Interest section.

Think about it, when you enter in another person office for the first time, the first thing you do is to look around. You look for trophies, pictures, or any object that tell you something about his/her personality.

As soon as you catch hold of any commonality,?you have a conversation started. Right there.

Tom Curiz in the below picture shows that he loves football, and he follow Real Madrid club. It adds a personal touch and an opportunity to connect on a different level.

Watch My YouTube Video

I have explained this topic in great details at my blog here and in my YouTube video.