Why Your LinkedIn Profile Matters?
LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume, it’s a powerful networking social media platform. It has been proven to have open doors to career opportunities, mentorships, and professional growth. When I first created my LinkedIn account in 2014, I did not know much about it. I did because others were doing it. However, was that the best thing to do? Well, I am pleased I created the account despite not using it to my best interest until I discovered more.
Whether you’re a student or an early-career professional, having a well-optimized LinkedIn profile can help you stand out to recruiters, industry leaders, and potential collaborators.
In this post, I will share important tips that helped me and many others achieve career success through LinkedIn.
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Guide to a Strong LinkedIn Profile
1. Choose a Professional Profile Photo for your LinkedIn Account
There is a common saying that first impressions count. Your profile photo is the first thing people notice. I have seen countless professional or personal LinkedIn profiles without a real human face. You are missing out on the first and most crucial step. Show your pretty or handsome face.
What kind of photo should you use? Take a nice picture with your phone in a bright place or get a professional headshot. The most vital thing is that you should ensure you have:
A clear, high-quality image with good lighting.
A professional appearance (dress appropriately for your industry).
A neutral or simple background to keep the focus on you.
2. Write an Attention-Grabbing Headline
What do you want people to instantly know about you? Your headline appears next to your name and should quickly tell people what you do. Instead of just stating your job title, consider adding a value statement.
Example: Aspiring Power System Specialist | Passionate About Energy and Sustainability | Energy & AI Enthusiast
Consider adding a volunteering or have a specific cause that helps the community to your headline. In my case, I help young professionals land their dream job. I also write and talk about electricity and energy systems.
What cause of action do you have?
3. Craft a Compelling Summary of your LinkedIn Profile About Section
Who are you and what do you do? Let people know about you. Write briefly about yourself that you seem fit for your purpose or profession. Use the about section to introduce yourself in your own words. Your summary should:
Highlight your skills, experience, and aspirations.
Showcase your passion for your field.
Include relevant keywords to help recruiters/hiring managers find you if you are looking for job opportunities.
End with a call to action (e.g., Let’s connect and discuss collaboration opportunities).
4. Optimize your Experience Section of your LinkedIn Account to Stand Out
This is a critical part of your LinkedIn profile. Write bullet points about your work experience. This includes internships and full-time positions you have served in the past and present. That is, your experience section should go beyond job titles. Include:
A brief description of your role.
Key responsibilities and achievements.
Use bullet points for clarity and simplicity.
Example: Intern | ABCY Company
Assisted in analyzing market trends, improving data accuracy by 15% from the typical benchmark of 10%.
Developed dashboards using Power BI to track engineering and construction performance, which increased efficiency and time management by 25%.
5. Showcase your Skills & Endorsements
Our skills play a crucial and significant role in how we attract opportunities to ourselves. Every employer gives jobs because there is a problem that needs to be solved. Companies are problem solvers and as such you need skills and tools that position you well to help in bringing up solutions.
Look critically into your industry and the specific role you aim to serve. Do you have skills gaps? If so, take up some self-training or online courses to fill in the skill gap and obtain certifications if provided. Optimize your profile with all or the most important skills you have obtained. This is one of the ways to demonstrate your readiness of bringing value to your prospective employer. List skills relevant to your industry, such as:
Technical skills (e.g., ETAP, CYMCAP, AutoCAD, PSCAD, Python, and Microsoft Excel).
Soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership). You may ask colleagues, mentors, or classmates to endorse your skills.
Remember your purpose on LinkedIn. It is a single platform on which you can build a brand leading to significant networking opportunities and landing your dream job.
6. Education and Certifications of your LinkedIn Account
Which school(s) and program(s) did you pursue during your undergraduate, and any others? Generally, the education we have directs us toward specific career paths. One can always change cause if they find a different program suitable and in line with their long-term career aspirations. The most important thing here is to include your education starting with college or university. Highlight relevant courses, certifications, and degrees. For instance: NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certificate | NABCEP, 2023
7. Give Recommendations and Ask for one
What do people you once worked with or attended the same school think about you? Reach out to them to provide you with a recommendation. Typically, you should consider writing a recommendation to a colleague first, and then ask the person to do the same for you if that works better, or else ask for it.
A strong recommendation from a professor, employer, or colleague adds credibility to your profile. You can take advantage of having a strong LinkedIn profile by asking the fantastic people out to provide a paragraph recommendation.
8. Engage with Content and Build your Network
For over eight (8) years I have been idle on LinkedIn. I only had an account. I did nothing but just read feeds and took no action. Many people are in a similar situation for fear of being known, criticized, or shy to react to other people’s posts or even connect with people. These may be valid reasons, however, the merits of engaging with relatable content, reacting, commenting, or even connecting with other professionals far outweigh an idle LinkedIn account. Do the following to stay alive and take your chances of success to the next level.
Follow industry leaders and companies.
Share insightful posts and comment on discussions.
Write short articles or updates about industry trends or your experiences. You know something. Write about it and continue to seek feedback and improvement. This is how we shall succeed collectively.
9. Customize your LinkedIn URL
Your LinkedIn profile usually has a long URL and doesn’t look clean. Take a few minutes to clean it up or shorten it. For instance, a clean URL (e.g., https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaibuibrahim/) looks professional and is easier to share.
10. Keep your Profile Updated
Who doesn’t need an update in their life or profession? You can update your LinkedIn account whenever you accomplish a training or certification milestone. Regularly update your experiences, skills, and achievements to keep your profile relevant.
Could you let your audience and connections know you are alive and continue to make improvements in your profession? Sometimes, it also serves the benefit of encouraging others to seek training or courses to help them succeed in the career.
In summary
A strong LinkedIn profile can significantly impact your career by increasing visibility and connecting you with valuable opportunities. Follow these steps, engage actively, and leverage LinkedIn as a tool to advance your professional journey. Find additional resources that are useful to students and early careers professionals.
LinkedIn is a platform with over 1.1 billion member users. Do not be left out of this vast platform’s opportunities to benefit your career and networks.
Design your career the way you see it as fitting and fulfilling.
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