Quick Fixes to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

BY LAURA SMITH-PROULX 

When you first joined LinkedIn, it made sense to fill out quick facts to get the profile up and running, just to start connecting with others.
However, if it’s been a few months and you still have a bare-bones profile, the less likely it will generate any results for your job search, and even if it does attract visitors, they’ll quickly leave to find someone more interesting.

The reality about LinkedIn is this: it’s an amazing job search tool that brings you new leads, impresses your network, and entices recruiters to call—but only if you use it in a way that promotes your professional image.

Look at these types of problems to see if you recognize yours – and take action to improve your LinkedIn profile before it brings your job search to a halt:

Problem #1: The Minimal-Effort Profile

Here it is—your name, college education, and current job. Wait – where’s the rest?

If you haven’t added specifics (such as your full work history for the last 10 years, certifications, or skills), your hit rate among competing candidates will drop substantially. This is because your profile, just like a website, is findable based on the keywords sprinkled throughout the text.

Employers and recruiters scouring LinkedIn for talent also look for context that demonstrates your ability to perform at a particular career level. To satisfy them, you’ll need to add competencies, success stories, and metrics, with detail that resembles (but doesn’t replace) your full resume.

Even in the tight space allowed on the site, readers will then be able to identify your likely next career target and suitability for promotion – which not only improves your LinkedIn profile, but encourages others to network with you.

Problem #2: The Default Headline - Read the rest of the Careerealism article to see the problems and solutions