A LinkedIn profile can make or break getting hired. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking tool on the internet. LinkedIn can be used to find the right job or internship, connect or strengthen professional relationships and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. LinkedIn is also used by recruiters to find the perfect fit for a job. 

A complete LinkedIn profile can help you connect with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story through experience, skills and education. Below are some tips to build a standout LinkedIn profile. 

Pick Your Headshot 

Your personal headshot is what will draw people to your page. Your profile is more likely to get clicked on if you have a profile picture than if you don’t have one. It’s important to pick a headshot that will help your job search rather than hurt it. A good headshot can help potential employers identify you at an event or interview.  

Your photo should be a high-resolution quality image so that the photo is not blurry. LinkedIn profile photo size is 400 x 400 pixels – you can upload a larger photo as long as it’s a square photo.  

Your headshot should also only be of you. LinkedIn is not where you show off your dogs or your kids, so keep it professional. Use an up-to-date photo of yourself and wear appropriate clothing, something business professional or business casual. 

The goal of your photo is to look professional but still approachable. So the best thing to do is smile. Show that you’re happy by smiling. It will also be beneficial to smile with your eyes. 

Make sure your background isn’t distracting because your face should be the focal point of the photo. It’s okay to choose a photo with an interesting background but make sure it doesn’t take center stage. The photo should be a headshot, so from the shoulders up.  

Highlight Your Work Experience 

Do not copy and paste your resume here! Your resume should highlight your relevant work experience while your LinkedIn profile should highlight additional professional experience from the last 10 to 15 years, this can include freelance work that you wouldn’t include in your resume.

In this section, you need to make sure that the dates, company name and job title match. Then write a short one to three line summary of your role. Lastly, provide three to five bullet points that describe your key achievements in that role and the measurable results. Use key action words that help show not just what you did but what you accomplished. 

Start Making Connections 

You don’t get jobs because of connections, you get jobs through connections. On LinkedIn, having connections is very important. The more connections you have, the more visible you are to others.

You can add people you don’t know, but if you do, send a message explaining who you are and why you want to connect. It’s best to add people you know, such as people you went to school with and past or current coworkers. You can even connect with people you have met at networking events. 

Keep Your Page Active 

LinkedIn is just like other social media sites, to stay relevant, you need to stay active. You should engage with other people’s content; you can do this by writing a thoughtful comment, sharing and adding to it or even just by reacting to the post, just like you would do on Facebook. 

LinkedIn also has groups that you can join. Being active in groups is a great way to make new connections. Join a group related to your interests or career and interact with others in the group. 

Check Your LinkedIn Profile Strength 

LinkedIn has a cool feature that allows you to check the strength of your profile. When viewing your profile, it will have an area that says “Profile Strength” and have a measuring tool to show how complete your profile is. Keep adding to sections using the site’s tips until it gives you an “All-Star” rating; this is when you know your profile is complete. 

LinkedIn is a very useful and powerful tool. Make the most of it by showcasing your skills and what you can do for a company. You want to stand out among other candidates and LinkedIn can do just that. 

Do you want to know more about how you can use LinkedIn to your full advantage? Read our previous blog on maximizing your LinkedIn usage.