LinkedIn has major benefits, but only if used correctly. Your goal when it comes to LinkedIn is to look professional, and I’ve seen a lot of women post inappropriate photos of themselves: strapless shirts, bar photos, and photos taken with friends.
You can’t treat your LinkedIn the same way you treat your Facebook page. You can’t post obscene status updates, you can’t notify your connections that you have a severe hangover, and you definitely can’t share inappropriate articles.
Follow the tips below to create a simple LinkedIn profile like the one below:
1. A professional picture
Pick a picture that is clear and with a plain background. Not too much makeup or party outfits please!
2. The title/headline
Just like Twitter, you have 120 characters to make up who you are / what you are seeking. If you are actively seeking a job, say that in your title. Don’t do something bland, “Recent College Graduate Seeking Job” this will not get you noticed.
Point out a great skill you have instead, Forbes uses a great example “Office Manager/Business Air-Traffic Controller Looking for Overstressed CEO to Make Sane.”
3. Your experience
This is your time to showcase what you have done and your skills! I list it out just like my resume. Have your connections endorse you for the skills you say you have to create credibility for yourself.
4. Summary
There is a large space where you can write a summary of who you are, what you can provide, and what you are seeking. It is a good area to be creative as more recruiters skim some resumes for less than 15 seconds, so you definitely need to catch their attention. Think of it like an elevator speech, if you only had one chance to make a lasting impression, what would you say? At the end, leave an email so people can contact you easily.
5. Add connections
Add your colleagues, classmates, friends and anyone else you meet that you might want to stay in contact with. Again, LinkedIn is not Facebook, but professionally it is a great way to network and keep ties with other professionals you admire and want to keep just a short email away.
What are some of your suggestions for LinkedIn users? Have you found it beneficial to have a profile?
*A version of this post originally appeared on Be Moxie.
More from Be Moxie:
