Tried & Tested: 7 highly effective Linkedin profile optimization hacks

4 min read.

A friend of mine invited me to a Linkedin profile optimization workshop last week. It is always good to refresh your knowledge, right? I even learned a hand full of new things. That is why I would like to share my novel insights and previous Linkedin experiences with you today.

1.Pictures - Profile & background

A professionally done picture does not cost a fortune nowadays. Your chances of being approached by recruiters and potential business partners massively increase when you possess a picture. A picture also shares more information than words can express; and many of us tend to remember information better when we see them. It is easier for a person to keep your profile in mind when they can attach it to something visual (e.g. Lisa with the brown, short hair). Last thought: Upload a background picture that represents your industry. In an ideal case it shows you in action.

2.Tagline - Your advertising slogan

This is where a lot of people miss out on opportunities. Use this space to present your key skills, to describe yourself and your work. Keep on updating this field whenever there is something new your network should know about (e.g. when you won an award, got a new title). Also important: Do not victimize yourself. Never write something like "looking for a job". This disqualifies you as a self-confident person who is aware of his worth.

3.The small details in the top "overview box" - Regularly forgotten

Keep your location up-to-date. If you lived in Paris but moved to Dubai, let your network know. You are missing out on great chances otherwise. Also have a proper thought about the industry you choose. I personally think that Linkedin can improve here. Whatever. Decide for an industry that describes you the best. Two things that people tend to forget as well: Fill out your "Contact Info" field and customize your URL (right next to the tiny grey Linkedin icon). In addition to that, decide on how much information you want to share with the public (these information will appear when somebody "googles" you). Bonus hint: Ever thought of creating your profile in a second language? Some of my German clients are not fluent in English. My German profile helped them understanding who I am and what I do.

4.Summary - Time to show off

I always thought that this is the area for a short biography. I was wrong. What should we do instead? Write down your achievements, your specialties and years of experience in industry xyz. Mention concrete numbers (e.g. increased sales by 30%), awards etc. and use bullet points to visually guide the reader through this section. Do not upload your CV as an attachment underneath this section; use videos, presentations and pictures instead (a PDF of your Linkedin profile can be created when you click on the white arrow next to the blue "send a message" box). Also a great idea: Move the "Additional Info" box underneath this section and mention your contact details in "Advice for Contacting xyz". This way people do not have to scroll down through your entire profile to find your contact details (many of us are not aware of the "Contact Info" field), which might be a reason for not getting back to you when they are in a hurry.

5.Experiences - Make it interesting, diverse

Firstly, use a "realistic" title and do not exaggerate. If you push your luck too high, you might scare off job opportunities, as the person studying your profile might think you are too expensive, over-experienced etc. for the position they hire for. Furthermore, always make sure that your company's logo appears next to your title. Some last thoughts: Mention the city and country you work in. Do not copy and paste your job description. Tell your profile visitors about your achievements instead and list projects, photos, videos and maybe a short info about what your company does.

6.Groups, recommendations & skills - Networking time

You can choose out of 50 skills, so be specific with your key words. Also contact a hand full of people and ask them to endorse you. Some individuals generally doubt the value of the skill section, others ignore this debate and simply see it as an additional area you can use to impress people - isn't this what we all aim for? Moreover, find the time and ask your former colleagues/clients for recommendations. Also look for groups that belong to your industry and start being active here.

7.Business etiquette - Some reminders

Write a personalized message when you send out a contact request - especially when you do not know the person. This makes a huge difference. Having less than 300 contacts also does not speak for your networking skills. I am sure you met more than 300 interesting people in your field. Make it your target to connect with two great people per day. You will have extended your network by 730 people in a year. One last reminder: Linkedin is a professional business networking platform. Not a dating side. Not Facebook. Keep this in mind when you share content and communicate with other users.

Conclusion

Setting up a stunning and powerful Linkedin profile takes time and effort but it is absolutely worth it. You will also need to experiment here and there till you find your tone, voice and style. If you do not want your network to see that you currently "play" with you Linkedin profile, change the settings in the box "Yes, publish an update to my network about my profile changes." on the right side.

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