Whether you are or are not aware of the importance of building a strong LinkedIn professional network, with busy schedules and stressing about the future, sometimes we dismiss our social media. LinkedIn, however, is one type of social media network that should never be dismissed!
Establishing a strong LinkedIn profile and network will propel your chances of finding more opportunities by making YOU stand out of your sea of competitors and makes it easier for your prospective employees to review your knowledge, skills, abilities, and personality traits. Here are a few tips that really helped me build my profile:
1. Have a professional photo
LinkedIn isn’t Tumblr, there is no excuse for not having a professional head shot. Look clean, friendly, and approachable! Remember, first impressions count…even virtually!
2. Have a strong headline and summary
LinkedIn creates your headline with your job title and current company…but you can create your own! Consider making it your specialty and speaking to your audience directly. For example, mine is “Public Relations Student at FIT”, even though I currently have other positions.
Use bullets for your actual summary or make it a power sentence. LinkedIn also allows you to add media, so if you’re creative, even make an introduction video!
3. Fill out everything
Skills, abilities, volunteer work and associations, education, previous positions, etc. This is all the important stuff that prospective employers are looking forward to seeing, make sure it’s concise and displays YOU.
4. Keep your profile up-to-date
You don’t need to list every. single. thing. you’ve done. But consider maintaining your profile with current career goals and positions that are relevant and timely to your position seeking and network building opportunities.
Go on and make your LinkedIn profiles great!
xx
Mariano