This is Part 2 in a 3 Part Series on How to Create a LinkedIn Profile that Stands
Continuing from Part 1 we will continue to show you how to Create a LinkedIn Profile that Stands Out.
Please Note: LinkedIn’s format is constantly changing; therefore, there is a small chance the information in this article could change over time.
Part 1 can be found by clicking this link
Step 6 – Upload a Picture
Although you might not be comfortable uploading your picture to LinkedIn, I highly recommend you do so. Recruiters like to see a picture to ascertain that you are indeed a real person; having a picture brings you to life in their eyes.
There is nothing like a first impression, so make sure your picture looks good. If possible, have your photo professionally taken. In it, you should be wearing the type of clothing you would wear every day on the job. If you are applying for a white-collar position, wear a suit or other business-appropriate clothing. If you are a nurse, wear scrubs.
Step 7 – Add Detailed info into Your LinkedIn Profile
For this section, you will need to go to your newly-created LinkedIn profile. From there, perfect your profile by adding to the following sections:
A. Background Photo
This photo is different than your main photo. It is a banner picture (not of you) that goes across your profile header. Choose a background photo that relates to your personality or career, and I recommend using one in overall neutral color, like cream or tan. If you do not have any background pictures, visit https://pixabay.com/ to get free pictures to use for your background photo.
B. Headline Section
You have one sentence to make a good first impression. The headline is the first thing people will see in your profile. Treat it like the objective section on your resume. Mention your job title or job interest as well as key skills you possess. Repeated words weaved into your profile can bring you up higher on recruiters’ searches and will add to the SEO of your LinkedIn profile. Please note there is a space count for this section so use your words carefully.
A good example headline is: Leading Contact Center Rep with extensive experience, providing excellent customer service for Fortune 500 companies.
C. Add Positions
For this section, add the jobs you have held in chronological order. You can cut and paste this from your resume.
D. Education Section
List your education in chronological order. Again, you can cut and paste from your resume.
E. Summary Section
This section is like your headline, except you have more space to put more info in. Use the SEO technique of weaving in keywords and titles to increase the visibility of your profile. You can cut and paste your objective section from your resume; however, you can also add more keywords in your summary section than you can in a typical resume. I would not recommend mentioning that you are looking for a job unless you are currently working. Following is an example of a strong summary.
Results-oriented Senior Java/J2EE Software Developer with a proven track record of delivering software solutions in the financial/banking industry. 7+ years of experience as a Senior Java/J2EE software developer for well-known financial service companies Financial-ecom Inc. & Trading Floor Software Solutions.
F. Featured Skills & Endorsements section
Add as many skills as you can. The more you add, the greater the likelihood of your profile popping up when recruiters search by keywords when looking to fill roles. The smallest word can be searched by a recruiter, so adding different keywords to this section can increase your chances of being found. For starters, use the keywords from your resume skill section. From there, as you did for your resume, research different keywords to add to your profile.
The endorsement section is where people endorse your different skills. The more endorsements you have, the more impressive your profile will appear. To get more endorsements, reach out to your former colleagues and friends and ask them to endorse your skills. Most people will oblige your request.
G. volunteer experience
As real estate is less of an issue with a LinkedIn profile, I recommend adding volunteer experience to your profile. This section can be especially good for those who do not have much experience or are working or looking to work for an organization that values volunteer work. Be careful not to add things that are too political in nature or that could rub people the wrong way.
Step 8: Accomplishments Section
This section is an opportunity to add your accomplishments in the following categories: Publications, Certifications, Courses, Projects, Honors & Awards, Patents, Test Scores, Languages, Organizations. If you have any experience or skills in any or all of these categories, I recommend that you add them to your profile. It will increase your chances of being seen by a recruiter. According to LinkedIn, professionals with publications in their profile are found 7 times more than profiles who do not have publications, and profiles that list certifications are found 5 times more often than profiles who do not list certifications.
Part 3 will continue what you learned in part 1 &2 on How to Create a LinkedIn Profile that Stands Out.
To see part 3 see this link
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