Blog

How to Achieve a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Written by Joseph Raguso, Content Creator

Did you know that LinkedIn, the professional social networking platform, has actually been around longer than Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram? Yet it’s more relevant now than ever. Why? Because it hosts more than 500 million professional profiles, which means nearly an unlimited supply of network connections and job opportunities. From seeking a new job to maintaining your personal brand, LinkedIn is an important part of being a full-fledged professional in any industry these days. We’re sharing a few tips on how to present your best self on LinkedIn. 

You’ll Need a Great Headline

One of the most critical aspects of an above average LinkedIn profile is the ‘headline’ section, which can be used to quickly and successfully grab your audience’s attention. The first step to optimizing your LinkedIn profile is to edit your headline and include keywords relevant to your specific industry. These words can be used to get more eyes on your profile when users enter them into the platform’s search bar. If possible, you should avoid simply stating your current job title. Providing a range of keywords can create an opportunity for ‘cross-connections’ and allow your profile to seem more diverse and creative. An example of such a case is as follows: Ali is an administrator at a hospital. Her job title is Operations Coordinator, but Ali is not going to use her job title as her LinkedIn headline. She chooses the headline “Health Care Administration, Budgeting and Procurement” so that recruiters know what she is capable of and will be more likely to contact her.

Keep Your Work History Brief 

New LinkedIn users generally assume listing all past work experience in the career history section will show all of your industry qualities and give potential clients and employers a glimpse of your work ethic. A list of your past work experience doesn’t give users the full story. They want to know more: what did you accomplish and what have you learned during your career thus far? What’s important is to show potential employers how your past experiences have developed your industry skills and how you can benefit their company with these skills. 

Watch Out for ‘Boilerplate Language’

Boilerplate language is a red flag when it comes to the verbiage on LinkedIn. Users understandably want to be perceived as professional and sophisticated as possible, and in doing so, they lose all sense of their unique personality. Users often think mimicking the language on their resume will strengthen the appearance of their online presence. In reality, the boilerplate language comes off as unoriginal and forced. By incorporating some of your personal verbiage and style into your descriptions, not only do you stand out from your peers, your writing will be much more engaging and interesting. After all, aren’t we all “results-driven professionals”? 

Our Social Media Division at MSM DesignZ has expertise in perfecting your online presence for all social platforms, including LinkedIn. We can guide you in using custom graphics, tailored messaging, and consistent brand voice to give your business an advantage over your competition. To learn more about our Social Media services or request a quote for our full range of Digital Marketing services, call our main office in Tarrytown at (914) 909-5900. We look forward to working with you! 

Sources: