Your LinkedIn Profile: The Swiss Army Knife

We’ve all heard about the incredible utility of the Swiss Army Knife, and since the 1880’s, you can use it to punch files, cut, open a wine bottle or a can...and so much more. The epitome of design and utility, multiple uses in one.

Well, LinkedIn has been around since the early 2000’s, and your LinkedIn profile is the Swiss Army Knife of social media profiles! Except it won’t throw you back a pretty penny.

Now before you brush me aside with your cynical pish posh, let’s dive in and break some of those myths that convince you that your LinkedIn profile is ‘good enough’:

1.  Your website: If you don’t have a website, fret not. Your LinkedIn profile is your little space on the interweb. Imagery and visuals like a clean and attractive headshot, as well as a banner in the background, welcomes the visitor and draws them in to ‘read more’. Think ‘about’ section of a website. What can really help is a nice profile picture. Studies have shown that a profile pic results in 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. Website, check.

2.  Sales landing page: I know what you’re thinking, “I’m not selling something, I’m not a business owner.” Shhhh, don’t ever say that out loud, ever again. You’re selling your skills, your personality, your experience, towards the next opportunity. Your ‘headline’ and ‘about’ section, when beautifully sprinkled with keywords that are used to search for someone like you, are all about what you can do for them. Sales page, check.

3.  You Tube channel: got videos of past guest interviews, podcast conversations or a public appearance you’d like to share? Use the featured section to showcase what you’re like in action. Youtube, check.

4.   Blog: want to write an article? LinkedIn is still a great place to do so. Never mind that articles on LinkedIn don’t get as many views as some years ago, the purpose isn’t to show what you know, but to show authority and expertise in what you know. And articles are evergreen with a much longer shelf life than posts, which in essence are short form blogs. Blog, check.

5.   Resume: your work experience section comes to life on your LinkedIn profile! But for heaven’s sake, please don’t copy paste everything from your resume. Instead, tell a story, explain your top achievement, how you grew within the company, how you helped people and revenues to grow. Think: short, easy to read bullets. Resume, check.

6.  Background check: Is your recommendation section vacant? Think Amazon reviews, but about you. When was the last time you bought something on Amazon with zero reviews. Exactly. Get cracking, ask 10 people who have praised your work in the past, to document their praise on your profile. Background check, check.

7.   Email: Don’t ever ignore inmails and messages you receive (check your spam settings), because sometimes buried in the unsolicited sales pitches, could be a recruiter who thinks you’d be perfect for their new vacancy. Plus, when you’re newly connected with someone, linkedin DMs are just so much quicker than emails. Email, check

8.  Voicemail: Short 10 second voice texts? Absolutely, on the LinkedIn mobile app, you can. Click on the 'volume ?? icon next to your name, and leave three kinds of voice texts, more information in this article. Voicemail, check.

9.  Trophy case: received some awards or got some accomplishments you’re particularly proud of? Use that section, and don’t be shy! Trophy case, check.

10.  CSR page: done your own version of corporate social responsibility like volunteering at a school or working for the underprivileged? Mention it, own it and share it with pride! A study 5 years ago stated that 41% of hiring managers value volunteer experience at the same level as paid experience.

I hope I have convinced you of the gold you’re sitting on, in terms of your linkedin profile. If you needed one more reason, consider this: An original Swiss army knife can retail for anything from $100-$1000. Your LinkedIn profile is free. And the outcome of a ‘sharp’ LinkedIn profile? Priceless. 

About the author:

Sonal Bahl is a Career Coach, Podcaster and Founder of Supercharge, a Career Advisory firm with clients in Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America and Asia. A former HR Director, she has served for almost two decades in HR leadership roles in leading firms like GE, PricewaterhouseCoopers and others on 3 continents.