LinkedIn has become the center of your professional life. It’s where you manage your online career brand, grow your network and ultimately find your next job says, William D King. Your LinkedIn profile is the heart of that ecosystem.
Make sure it’s working for you by following these steps to optimize your experience on LinkedIn:
1) Get Connected Now don’t wait, start building your network now.
LinkedIn is a closed system so you have to be invited by someone who’s already on the platform. If you’re not sure where to start, ask people you already know in real life or have worked with professionally.
2) Complete Your Profile
The more information you give away, the more opportunity it gives people to connect with you. Think of your LinkedIn profile as a form of self-marketing. You want every section to be completed to the best of your ability because it’s an opportunity for someone to find you.
3) Make Sure Your Headline is Compelling
The first thing people will see when they click on your name is your professional headline. This is your opportunity to make a great first impression, so make it count. The best way to do this is to think of you like a product and brand. What are the key things you want people to know about you? Use those keywords in your headline to help people find you.
4) Use Keywords in Your Summary
The summary section of your profile is the most important part when it comes to search engine optimization (SEO). You want to use keywords that are relevant to your industry and skill set. This will help potential employers and clients find you when they’re searching for someone with your qualifications says, William D King.
5) Get Recommendations from Colleagues and Clients
A strong network isn’t just about having a lot of connections; it’s also about having strong relationships with the people you already know. Ask your colleagues and clients for recommendations. Not only will this help you build your network, but it will also show potential employers that you’re respected by the people you’ve worked with.
LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool, and your profile is the key to unlocking its potential.
Follow these simple tips to make sure your profile is seen by as many people as possible.
1. Make sure your profile is complete.
Your LinkedIn profile should include your current job title and company, as well as your education and previous experience. You can use your LinkedIn profile to provide details about volunteer work, publications you’ve written for, associations you belong to, and more.
2. Use the entire space available in your summary section.
Use this free space in your profile to describe what makes you unique or demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job. Try including a personal motto here, something that sums up who you are or the qualities you possess.
3. Make sure your profile photo is professional.
A headshot gives viewers a better sense of what you look like in person than any other type of image. LinkedIn recommends using a business portrait-style photo for this section.
4. Use the Skills and Expertise section to create a list of relevant keywords.
LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes profiles that use certain keywords and phrases, meaning the first profiles listed on a results page will be those with the most appropriate keyword combinations. Try using terms like “public speaking” or “Microsoft Excel” for skills you possess, as well as those that are relevant to your industry or field explains William D King.
5. Use LinkedIn’s Open Link function to promote your website and other social media profiles.
This feature allows you to link out to as many as three external sites from your profile, as well as upload a video straight from YouTube. People who visit your page will be able to click through to your website, Twitter, Facebook, or any other linked page you choose.
6. Link to your LinkedIn profile when posting content online.
When you publish blog posts, contribute to industry publications, or write articles for sites like Ezine Articles, include a link back to your own site in the author bio section—and try adding in some of the keywords from your skills section.
7. Share your profile with everyone you know!
Make sure as many people as possible have access to your LinkedIn account—friends, colleagues, and especially former employees or employers. You’ll receive a notification email every time someone views your profile now that your settings are public by default.
8. Use the InMail feature to send messages to people you doesn’t know.
LinkedIn’s InMail service allows you to send messages directly to other LinkedIn members, even if you’re not connected to them. This can be a great way to make new connections with people in your industry or field or to find potential job candidates.
Conclusion:
LinkedIn is a social network used mainly for professional networking says William D King. It was launched on May 5, 2003, and is now the world’s largest professional social network with more than 364 million members in over 200 countries and territories as of January 2014.
The website has expanded into a popular platform for users to advertise their skills and services to potential employers, customers, vendors, or other professionals. LinkedIn also allows users to research companies and find jobs. As of October 2013, LinkedIn had more than 5 million active job postings.