Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Congratulations, you are now one of the users battling for the attention of recruiters, investors, and entrepreneurs looking for talent on the platform. Contrary to what many users think, your profile is not the online equivalent of a resume. While it looks like it, it’s a lot more than that. Your LinkedIn profile gives you the chance to share your story and personal brand beyond the limitations of a resume. It also serves as a business and is a way for other users to assess whether you are a useful addition to their network.
Use The First Person
Many users are still undecided about this LinkedIn profile. While using the first person on a resume is not acceptable, it is fine on LinkedIn as this is a social media account. Write like you are speaking to a friend but stay serious. Let your character shine. There is no need for high incorrectness words, although good grammar and spelling are expected.
Choose A Good Profile Picture
Having a profile picture results in nine times more requests and about 25 times more profile views. Your profile picture gets people’s first impressions, so make good choices. If you can, invest in a good headshot for your profile. Don’t be afraid to pick a creative image if it is appropriate for your business. Just make sure it’s up to date and has a good close up.
Connect Your Other Accounts and Pages
LinkedIn enables users to connect other accounts to their LinkedIn so that your existing networks can be found on the other media.
Use The Summary To Tell Your Story
The summary of your LinkedIn profile is not the same as the executive summary on a resume. On a resume, the summary is usually intended for the uses performance; with LinkedIn, you are not limited to a one line. There is enough space to tell the story beyond these achievements to allow readers to understand the context of your work and the impact it has on those around you. You can also write a brief description of your progression or tell the story of your company. While storytelling is acceptable, LinkedIn users don’t read a book. Limit your summary to three to five short sentences with a bulleted side for people who do not want to read all of the text.
