Friday 28 June 2013

How to Get More From Your LinkedIn Profile

When you think about professional social networking, you immediately think about LinkedIn.
Today it is the favoured hunting ground for recruiters, so how can you make sure your profile makes you stand out from the crowd?
It all comes down to maximising your profile so you get noticed - and here's how.

7 Simple Steps to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile
To get the most of your profile it's essential the following 7 elements are maximised.

1. Headline
You already know how important the headline is when it comes to putting together your own sales literature, well, the headline of your profile is just as important.
It must clearly and concisely show:

  • Who you are
  • Who you can help
  • How you can help them

That will give the reader everything they need to know when making the decision about whether to continue reading or not.

2. Don't be fake
Business doesn't mean boring.
Some would argue that frippery should be left for other social media sites, but if you are naturally flamboyant, out going and generally a fun-loving kind of guy or girl, let that side of your personality shine through.
It's important they get to know the real you, so in your summary tell them about your goals, what you enjoy doing etc. These personal insights help make a connection at a personal level and make you more memorable.

3. Spelling
Proofreading your profile is essential. One miss spelt word could make a world of difference, so check and double-check your spelling and grammar before publishing.

4. Call to action
Is a call to action really necessary on your LinkedIn profile?
Yes it is. It's something that you automatically place in your marketing copy, so why not add one here too?
That way, once they've read your profile you can direct them to your website, phone number or email address so they can get in touch with you.

5. Proof
Although your profile is the place to shout about what you have done and can do, it's important that all your claims are backed up.
Make sure the section on education, awards won and recommendations is completed and kept up to date.

6. SEO
Search engine optimisation gets everywhere, even in your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure your keywords (i.e. terms associated with your profession) are in your:

  • Headline
  • Current work experience
  • Past work experience
  • Summary
  • Specialities


7. Stand out
The last thing you should do is read through the profiles of other people in your field.
You want your profile to be unique so don't stick to the normal conventions, just write and make yourself come across in a memorable way.
LinkedIn is a powerful, but often under used tool. By following these simple steps you'll make yourself stand out from the crowd.
Review your profile today and make yourself memorable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7816754

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