"Updating your LinkedIn profile is like getting a haircut. You don't realize how wildly out-of-style you've become until you attract the wrong kind of attention."
Creating a compelling LinkedIn profile is vital for executives, whether currently employed or in transition. This platform is not just a digital resume; it's a pivotal tool for personal branding, networking, and career advancement. If you are employed, people are still checking out your profile - vendors, clients, upper management, or the competition - put on your best to show off your abilities.
Most people forget and let their profile lay fallow for years. This communicates that you don’t care about moving up (or out), and candidly, it broadcasts that you are technically behind in the times (like your AOL or HOTMAIL email address). Here are the top ten ways executives can enhance their LinkedIn profiles:
Professional Profile Photo & Cover Image
Your profile photo should look like a professional headshot, depicting you in a manner appropriate for your industry. If you can swing it, have a professional photographer take your headshot. If you don’t, go outside with a close friend and have them take 100 shots of you smiling/not smiling, glasses/no glasses, tie/no tie, left/right/head-on, etc. Make sure your background is out of focus (bokeh). The cover image (slate blue image/wallpaper behind your headshot) offers an opportunity to reflect your professional persona or the ethos of your industry. Go to pexels.com or unsplash.com, two free stock photography sites, to choose a great cover image to make your profile more engaging and exciting.
Compelling Headline
Your headline should go beyond just stating your job title. Use this space to succinctly showcase your expertise, value proposition, or unique selling points. For example, "Innovative Tech CEO | Driving Digital Transformation and Leading High-Performance Teams." If you’re in transition, use this space to add as many keywords related to your intended position as possible: Fintech | Engineering | Cloud | Comptroller | Wall Street Trader, etc. This will allow the LinkedIn search engine and critical recruiters to find you.
Optimized Summary
Your summary (or "About" section) should tell your story, highlighting your achievements, skills, and what sets you apart. Again, use keywords relevant to your industry and role for better visibility in search results. It should reflect your personality and speak directly to your audience, whether potential employers, clients, or collaborators. Be more informal than your resume - push yourself to brag and promote your accomplishments.
Detailed Experience Section
List not only your roles but also your accomplishments in these positions. Use bullet points for clarity and quantify achievements where possible, such as "Increased revenue by 30% through strategic partnerships and market expansion." Try to duplicate many of the bullet points you have on your resume here - sometimes, the first look a potential employer might have is your LinkedIn profile, not your resume.
Skills & Endorsements
List relevant skills and actively seek endorsements from colleagues, clients, and industry connections. Prioritize skills that are most relevant to the roles you are aiming for. This is a feature from the old LinkedIn that was hot many years ago; it doesn’t count that much anymore - but it still is essential to have your basic skills and abilities highlighted.
Recommendations
Recommendations from former colleagues, managers, and clients add credibility. Politely request specific people to write recommendations and offer to reciprocate. They don’t have to write long paragraphs - just a single sentence can go a long way, “Put Rich Gee on speed dial if you ever in a tight spot.” Write it for them and allow them to edit it - they usually copy/paste it right into your profile.
Engaging Activity
Regularly post, share, and comment on industry-relevant content. This shows that you are active and engaged in your field. Writing articles on LinkedIn can also position you as a thought leader. This is CRITICAL and where most executives fail. It’s not that hard - when surfing the web - pick out an article about your industry’s future and link it to your profile. Most news sources have a small LinkedIn button to facilitate this action.
Customize Your LinkedIn URL
Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it cleaner and more professional, ideally using your name. This makes sharing and including on your business card or resume easier.
Accomplishments & Certifications
Highlight key certifications, courses, publications, and projects. This section is often overlooked but can significantly enhance your profile by showcasing your continuous learning and achievements.
Join Groups & Follow Influencers
Engage with groups in your industry and follow influencers. This expands your network and keeps you updated on industry trends and discussions.
Remember, your LinkedIn profile is an evolving document. Regular updates and active engagement are crucial to ensure they reflect your current professional status and aspirations.