Connecting with like-minded professionals online requires a whole set of specialised skills. Here\u2019s how you can optimise your LinkedIn profile<\/a> to attract the right kind of attention amid COVID-19 restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n Aside from your name and photo, your Professional Headline is the only part of your profile that is immediately visible in LinkedIn search results. It also follows you everywhere: when people find you in searches, when you comment, in companies, and on the top of your posts. It\u2019s critical to use these 120 characters to grab people\u2019s interest.<\/span><\/p>\n Your headline should describe who you are and the problems you solve. Think about keywords, too. Like Google, LinkedIn uses keywords to determine how highly your profile will rank in search results.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve decided on the most relevant keywords, start thinking of more creative ways to put them together. Think of yourself as a brand. How can you sell yourself? You can also use icons to separate keywords to make your profile more graphically appealing and memorable.<\/span><\/p>\n Your background banner takes up a significant portion of your profile. Avoid keeping LinkedIn\u2019s default blue background, as this won\u2019t get you noticed. You also don\u2019t want an image that infers you\u2019d rather be on holiday, like a beach scene.<\/span><\/p>\n The image you choose should reflect what you want your LinkedIn profile to achieve. If, for example, you want to increase brand awareness across your company, supply all employees with a background banner that contains the company logo.<\/span><\/p>\n When crafting your About section, keep in mind that only the first 330 characters are visible on a desktop above the fold. Users will need to click \u2018See More\u2019 to read the rest. For this reason, the most effective About sections begin with a question or an intriguing statement, something that captures the reader\u2019s imagination and ignites their curiosity.<\/span><\/p>\n The goal of your LinkedIn profile will inform what you include in your About. Employers are looking to recruit employees whose values align with their business. Clients are looking to hire experts that are genuinely committed to solving their problem.<\/span><\/p>\n Your About section should be in first-person and provide value, be authentic, and reflect who you are. Don\u2019t write only what you think your target audience wants to hear, as this could come across as salesy.\u00a0Instead, be genuine and use a conversational tone to be relatable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your Skills section proves that you have the know-how to deliver on your promises. It also influences your ranking in search results, which means the more skills you have listed, the better.<\/span><\/p>\n A word of warning: If possible, avoid diluting your endorsements by including two similar skills, such as management and leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, keep in mind that only three of your skills are instantly visible on your profile. Make sure those skills are the ones that best reflect your goals and showcase your strengths that align to the job or client you are targeting.<\/span><\/p>\n How you frame your Experience will again depend on your LinkedIn objective. Do not simply copy and paste your resume, as it won\u2019t likely resonate with your ideal client. If your goal is to attract new clients, focus on how you solve their problems. If you\u2019re looking for a new position, keep your statements short, action-orientated, and focused on the difference you deliver. Give hiring managers and recruiters a reason to contact you.<\/span><\/p>\n Your LinkedIn profile is more sophisticated than an online resume \u2013 it\u2019s your digital reputation that validates who you are, what you do, and your expertise. You can build up this reputation using the Media and Featured sections, which are often underutilised.<\/span><\/p>\n Media sits<\/a> in your Experience section and can be relevant to each job. The idea is to provide evidence of your successes, such as awards, presentations, videos, and web links. To ensure this proof isn\u2019t lost to those skimming your profile, you can use the Featured tool to highlight key messages and achievements.<\/span><\/p>\n LinkedIn is a personal branding tool that fosters connection and collaboration online, which is critical in a world where we cannot always meet face-to-face. With the right profile in place, you can use LinkedIn to generate job and business leads, represent your company, and find and reach out to old contacts to explore new opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n When you build your LinkedIn profile, it is vital to consider who you are, how you want to be perceived, and by whom. At its core, LinkedIn is a social selling and recruitment tool<\/a> based on relationships, so be authentic and let your character show through.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nHeadline<\/b><\/h2>\n
Background banner<\/b><\/h2>\n
About section<\/b><\/h2>\n
Skills endorsements and recommendations<\/b><\/h2>\n
Experience section<\/b><\/h2>\n
Adding media<\/b><\/h2>\n
Connecting, communicating, and collaborating on LinkedIn<\/b><\/h2>\n
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