Have you considered your personal brand recently? In 2010 there were 64 million people with LinkedIn accounts, midway through 2015 there is now 380 million account holders. LinkedIn is now considered a key tool in business for professional networking, market research, recruitment and personal brand development.
You might not be overly enthused by the idea of maintaining a social media site, however when looking for a promotion, a new job, or having the right connections and the right professional presence in the industry, LinkedIn certainly helps. While you are at work, rest or play your profile is busy at work attracting potential customers, employers/employees or industry peers.
Here is a 5-point check up on your LinkedIn profile:
- Your Picture. This is the first thing people see on your page, so make sure it best represents you as dependable and trustworthy. Dry to avoid ‘selfies’, pets and holiday snaps, and you don’t have to wear business attire, however looking professional is important. It’s worth spending the money on a professional photographer, and you’ll notice those who have against those who haven’t. Try to keep the same style running throughout your social media, for example use the same photo for your Twitter page (if you have one) to tie in your ‘brand’.
- Your headline. Here you have 120 word limit to capture the reader about you and what you do. Make the best use of each word by ensuring key points are listed. Remember LinkedIn is a search engine, therefore as many key words you can load into your profile, the higher the chance of being found. If the purpose of your account is to network then use this to highlight what you love about your work. If you are seeking a new job then use the 120 word limit to focus on key words associated with your current role or the role you are seeking, such as: Communications Professional, Talent Management Expert, Brand Marketing, etc.
- Your Summary. If your headline has been captivating enough, the reader will be drawn into your summary. Your summary might be based on your Resume Intro, a Bio or your own personal “elevator pitch”. Make sure you include three competencies, and at least three recent accomplishments.
You also have the option of attaching your resume; include a photo of work you have recently completed, a link to a project, a video or a presentation you have recently completed. Make as much use of this as you can. The more you load in the greater the chance you will of being found. At the end it’s a good idea to include a call to action – tell you reader how they can contact you, for example.
- Your Experience. At this point LinkedIn starts to look like your resume. Focus on key achievement in each role, highlighting wins and completions. Ask colleagues or customers to write a recommendation. Use keywords that are relevant to your industry, if you are not sure where to find these go to the careers page of a potential employer and pick out the key words that are often mentioned.
- Spending the time to set up your site properly will pay off in the long run. While you might not be looking for a new job now, it never hurts to be prepared. Keep adding to your profile on key milestones and sharing links to interesting articles.
Someone is looking for someone like you to be inspired by, why not spend a little time polishing your profile and ensure your professional brand is off on the right step.
In my role at PiCS we use LinkedIn to seek experts in their field as potential speakers for conferences or facilitators for workshops. We also use it to seek potential partners
and employees.
Many organisations use resources such as LinkedIn for many reasons. Don’t be left behind.
For further information on this article or regarding PiCS (Performance Improvement, Conferences and Seminars) please email Viv@pics.com.au or visit our website www.pics.com.au
*copy supplied by PiCS
