A Beginner's Guide to Creating an Optimized LinkedIn Profile
Why Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile Matters
LinkedIn is truly a hidden gem within social networking. It is one of the most popular online platforms for job seekers, businesses, professionals, and recruiters. Think of it as an interactive, online resume where you can share your work experience, skills, education, and more with potential employers, fellow professionals, prospective clients, and more.
With 72% of recruiters using LinkedIn to find new candidates, writing a profile is imperative to your success. Now, let’s get to it!
Step-by-Step Guide to Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
Optimizing your profile with strategic keywords and skills makes it easier to find and review, which can improve your chances of securing job interviews and offers. There are a few key sections that you can focus on optimizing to maximize your success, including the headline, about, professional experience, education, and skills.
1. Choose a Professional Profile Photo
Your profile picture is your first impression. Ensure it is recent and high-resolution, features a clear view of your face, and is appropriate attire for your industry. A professional photo can increase profile views by up to 14 times.
2. Add a Compelling Background Image
The background photo adds context to your profile. Consider using industry-related imagery, a personal branding graphic, or an image reflecting your professional interests. Ensure the image is high-quality and aligns with your personal brand.
3. Craft a Descriptive Headline
The headline is one of the first portions a potential employer will see. Use that to your advantage! LinkedIn’s default headline is your current job title and company, such as: “Operations Manager at XYZ Company.”
To further improve the headline and increase your profile views, you can tweak it to include more skills and keywords. Example: “Operations Manager at XYZ Company | Strategic Planning | Team Building | Continuous Improvement | Business Development.”
4. Write a Compelling Summary
The next step is to write the about section for your profile. This is your introduction, where you can expand on hard and soft skills, experience, background, aspirations, and more. Let people who visit your profile know why they should want to connect with you by communicating why you’re passionate about your field, your career ambitions, and how you have helped and improved other organizations.
5. Detail Your Work Experience
When updating your work experience, add complete job titles, company names, and employment dates with descriptions that highlight your responsibilities and achievements for each. As you develop content to fully convey your responsibilities, focus on including relevant keywords and measurable results.
6. Showcase Your Skills and Endorsements
Add skills relevant to your career goals and maintain a relevant list of skills to help others understand your strengths and match you with the right opportunities. Prioritize them by pinning top skills and seeking endorsements from colleagues.
7. Obtain Recommendations
Request recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, and clients. These testimonials add credibility and provide insight into your work ethic and accomplishments.
8. Customize Your LinkedIn URL
Create a personalized LinkedIn URL to make your profile more accessible and professional. This one is optional, but it can give your profile a boost. Example: www.linkedin.com/in/yourname
9. Add Certifications and Licenses
Further demonstrate your expertise and skills by including any relevant certifications. This also helps showcase your commitment to professional development.
10. Engage with Content
Once your profile is set up and filled out, it’s time to start building connections and engaging with others. Stay active by sharing industry-related articles, commenting on posts, and publishing your own content. Engagement increases visibility and positions you as a thought leader in your field.
Final Thoughts
An optimized LinkedIn profile is a powerful tool in your professional arsenal. By thoughtfully curating each section, you enhance your online presence and open doors to new opportunities.
Need assistance crafting a standout LinkedIn profile? Explore our LinkedIn profile optimization services and take the next step in your career journey.
Basics of a Resume: What Every Job Seeker Should Know
Why a Strong Resume Matters
Your resume serves as your personal marketing tool, offering a snapshot of your professional journey. In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume can be the key to securing interviews and advancing your career. Learning the basics of a resume is essential for anyone looking to land more interviews and make a strong first impression. In this guide, we’ll break down what you need to include, what to avoid, and how to stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Key Components of a Resume
Contact Information
Ensure your contact details are current and professional, including:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
- City and State (not full address)
- LinkedIn Profile or Personal Website (if applicable)
Important Note: Avoid placing contact information in headers or footers, as some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may not read them correctly.
Professional Summary
A brief, impactful statement (2–3 sentences) highlighting your experience, skills, and career objectives. Tailor this section to align with the specific role you’re targeting.
Skills Section
Highlight a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the position. Ensure these skills are reflected in your work experience to validate your proficiency.
Work Experience
Understanding the basics of a resume can help you tailor your experience. List your professional history in reverse chronological order, focusing on achievements rather than just duties. Use quantifiable metrics to demonstrate impact.
Education
Include your highest degree first, followed by other relevant certifications or training. Mention honors or distinctions if applicable.
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your resume stands out:
- Generic Content: Tailor your resume for each application to showcase relevance.
- Spelling and Grammar Errors: Proofread meticulously to maintain professionalism.
- Unprofessional Email Addresses: Use a simple, professional email format.
- Overly Complex Formatting: Stick to clean, ATS-friendly designs.
- Listing Duties Instead of Achievements: Focus on accomplishments that demonstrate value.
Tips for Writing a Standout Resume
- Formatting: Use a clean, balanced format that is compliant with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). You can find some samples here.
- Keywords: To gather a list of relevant keywords and phrases to boost your success against ATS and catch employers’ eyes, research 2-3 target job postings. Thoroughly review the job description. What are the requirements of the job? What types of skills are they looking for in the role? What phrases and words are repeated multiple times? Include those!
- Be Proud: Don’t be afraid to showboat a little! Include metrics and specific examples of your successes to help catch the eyes of employers and fully demonstrate your value!
- Before: Supported business development to increase team size and margins.
- After: Scaled an early-stage start-up from 12 employees, $5K in monthly recurring revenue, and <20% gross processing margin, to 30 employees, $115K monthly revenue, and >70% margins in 12 months.
- Verbs: Leverage a wide range of strong verbs! Phrases such as “responsible for” and “helped” are often overused and don’t convey confidence. Capture the readers’ attention by using unique and powerful verbs.
- Length: Don’t fret too much about keeping your resume one page. That standard is old and irrelevant. The length of your resume can vary based on various factors, such as years of experience, job targets, and more. Simply put, resumes can be one to two pages, with one-page resumes favoring entry-level candidates, those with few roles over their careers, and those with less than 5-7 years of experience. However, there are exceptions!
Final Thoughts About Resume Basics
No matter your industry, the basics of a resume remain consistent. Be sure to remember that a strong resume is more than a list of jobs; it’s a strategic document that tells your professional story in a way that resonates with employers. Keep it focused, tailored, and easy to read.
Need help crafting a resume that gets noticed? Learn more about our professional resume writing services.
