Have you already gotten some tips to optimise your LinkedIn profile? You will find them here. At the moment, I have over 200 connections on LinkedIn, but there are some simple mistakes that people are making with their profile. Here are the common ones:
1. No Photo
If you turn up in a search, or are taking part in a discussion on groups, it would be nice to put a face to the name. That way, if we ever get to meet you offline, we will recognise you e.g. at job interview, tweet-ups, networking meetings.
Invest in getting a professional headshot done. It will make all the difference. Have a look at Fiona McGuires gallery. She has done some great profile pictures for people, including my husbands headshot!
If you don’t have a headshot, some people will wonder why. Have you anything to hide? Or don’t you know how to upload an image?
2. Name in either all small or all large letters
This may seem like a small thing, but good grammar is important in business.
3. Headline is your job title
When you search for someone, their photo, name and headline are what is displayed. Most people will put the job title and where they work as their headline e.g. Accountant at XYZ Company. But what does that tell you about them? There are many types of accountants for example. Wouldn’t you be more likely to want to look at the person with the headline “Accountant at XYZ Company, tax specialist and expert at saving businesses money”?
If you are a business owner, don’t just have “owner, business name”. What about “Owner, business name, the business USP or tagline”?
As with your name, make sure your headline is grammatically correct.
4. Social Media Links
LinkedIn allows you to link to 3 different sites plus Twitter. Make the most of this opportunity. If you or the company you work for have a website, then include a link to it. If you have a Facebook page, blog etc then this is where you can add them.
If you make use of the links, then also make sure that you don’t just have “Website”, “Blog” displayed as below:
Use the “Other” option, to create more meaningful links:
For instructions on how to do this, see our post “How to link your Facebook business page to LinkedIn account.
5. No Summary
Most people don’t include a summary on their CVs and the same happens on LinkedIn.
A summary can give potential clients or employers an overview of your skills, achievements and experience.
Without it, you are just a sum of the jobs you have had. Aren’t we all more than that?
Remember the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Silly!
6. No skills
LinkedIn allows you to have up to 50 skills listed. Most people should be able to include MS Word, Outlook etc, plus team working, presentation and communications skills. Just remember, these are searchable.
7. Either too little or too much info in the work experience section
Too little information and you’re under-selling yourself, too much and people might not even bother to read it!
Only go back 10 years for work experience. Anything later than that is unlikely to be relevant.
Highlight your main job requirements, but remember, it’s not a job description.
Did you work on any projects? What was your role?
Also, include any achievements in your role e.g. exceeded sales targets, brought project in on time and in budget.
As always, watch your spelling and grammar.
8. Having a general public profile link
LinkedIn gives you the option of having your own unique URL. Useful to put on business cards.
When setting it up, keep it professional!
9. Email addresses – business or personal?
I have 2 set up, one for personal use and one for business. As a business owner, I use my business email address as I prefer to keep business and personal lives separate.
If, on the other hand, you are an employee, it may not be wise to have LinkedIn connections contacting you at work, especially if they might be contacting you about new job opportunities!
10. Not joining any groups
There are thousands of groups on LinkedIn and you can join up to 50.
Make sure those that you join are relevant to either the role you have or the role you want.
Take part in discussions. It gets you noticed and people may want to connect with you as a result.
These are my top 10 tips to improve your profile on LinkedIn. There are alot more in my ebook “How to… optimise your Link
