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With over 1 billion users in 200 countries worldwide, LinkedIn is currently the largest professional networking platform. Whether you are using it for professional networking or job search purposes, customizing and optimizing your LinkedIn profile has never been more important. Just like in advertising, visitors to your profile will only spend a few seconds forming an opinion, so it’s crucial to ensure that everything is clear, concise, and on-message. Thankfully, LinkedIn offers a robust feature set that allows for customization. Unfortunately, many users overlook key parts of their profile, either leaving them out entirely or not optimizing what’s there.
As you work on your LinkedIn profile, remember the four key things you need to clearly articulate in a concise manner: who you are, what you do professionally, what you have achieved, and what you are looking for, especially if you are job hunting. Remove anything that does not contribute to these points.
Related: Learn How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Score Your Dream Job
Here are six key considerations for optimizing your LinkedIn profile:
1. Your profile image
Make sure your background cover image is customized. This is a crucial piece of real estate that should not be left blank. Choose an image that provides insight into who you are or conveys something important to you, rather than opting for a generic image.
2. Get a verified checkmark
Having a verification check next to your name gives your profile credibility and assures visitors that you are a legitimate user. Verify your profile to build trust with potential employers and partners.
3. Craft your headline
Your headline should be concise and specific, clearly stating who you are and what you do. Avoid using extra words or symbols that do not add value to your profile.
4. Showcase your work on your “personal billboard”
Utilize the featured section on LinkedIn to highlight your posts, articles, links, and other content. Arrange the list strategically as visitors may only see the first few items without scrolling.
5. List your skills — and endorse your colleagues’ skills
List your top skills and encourage endorsements from others. Make sure to prioritize the most important skills that align with your professional goals.
Related: Learn How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Score Your Dream Job
6. Showcase your experiences
In the experiences section, focus on describing your role at each company rather than the company itself. Highlight key functions and accomplishments using bullets and consider associating relevant skills with each experience.
LinkedIn is a valuable professional networking tool that requires careful configuration and optimization. Take the time to explore and customize every section of your profile to ensure it tells the right story and presents you in the best light.
