Social media can be hard to manage, but LinkedIn is crucial in the modern workforce — think of it as your online resume. Creating a LinkedIn profile is not enough. Your profile requires regular upkeep as well. Why? An outdated profile can imply a lack of attention, ambition and enthusiasm for your career. Recruiters are searching for candidates on Linkedin, and if your profile isn’t comprehensive and current, they aren’t getting an accurate idea of who you are and what you do. Keeping an updated profile also helps you keep track of what you’ve done and where you’ve come from. A solid profile can help you expand your network — peers and colleagues will be better able to find and connect with you.
A clean and accurate LinkedIn profile is essential. Here are some tips for maintaining your online resume:
Make sure you have the basics.
- Be sure that your profile photo is professional and recent — but first and foremost, recognizable. According to LinkedIn’s blog, having a profile photo can lead to up to 9x more connection requests.
- Ensure that your position and industry are correct. This will help to connect you to relevant groups, jobs and content.
- Use key words and jargon appropriately. You know your industry best, make sure you are using language that not only makes sense, but that also makes you easier to find.
- Add your location! LinkedIn’s blog tells us that including a location can help you be discovered up to 23x more in searches by alumni, recruiters and former colleagues.
Spruce it up.
- Include examples of your work in the top section of your profile. This allows recruiters, colleagues, and peers to get an initial sense of who you are and what you do.
- Stay on top of your skills. Utilize LinkedIn’s “Top 3 Skills” feature to highlight your strengths.
- Take the time to reorder and pin top skills to be sure you’re putting your best foot forward. According to LinkedIn’s blog, having at least 5 skills on your profile results in up to 17x more profile views and up to 31x more messages.
Final touches.
- Add non-work related experience, such as certifications, awards, community service, board memberships, hobbies and passions. This information helps you communicate who you are as a person, what’s important to you and what makes you tick.
Small updates can go a long way. Keeping your LinkedIn profile up-to-date is the best way to ensure that those viewing your profile are getting an accurate and comprehensive picture of who you are. You only get one opportunity to make a first impression, so put your best foot forward.