9 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn can be your digital resume, business card, and networking tool all rolled into one. Whether you're job hunting, looking to make industry connections, or establishing yourself as a thought leader, a polished LinkedIn profile can make all the difference. 

1. Start with a Professional Headshot

Your LinkedIn profile photo is your first impression, so choose a professional headshot that reflects your professionalism as well as your personality. Ensure the photo is clear, well-lit, and high-resolution to present a polished image. Dress in business attire and select a neutral background to keep the focus on you, projecting a professional appearance. Finally, smile or adopt a friendly expression to convey approachability and confidence, allowing your personality to shine through.

2. Optimize Your Headline

Your headline is the second most critical element after your photo. It appears directly below your name. It should include your job title. Job titles can be tricky, especially for a business owner. Remember that your job title should reflect both your role in business and your expertise. When in doubt about this, refer to industry-specific keywords to help your profile show in search results. 

Your headline can also highlight what makes you unique or how you help your company and your clients. My headline, for example, is, “Creative Marketing Expert | Goal-Oriented Digital Marketing.”

3. Craft a Compelling Summary

The "About" section of your LinkedIn profile is your opportunity to tell your story in a way that is both personal and professional. Use this space to share your career journey, passions, and goals, letting your personality come through while avoiding overly formal language. Highlight key achievements and the value you offer to potential employers or collaborators, incorporating relevant keywords to enhance your profile's searchability without compromising the flow. Conclude with a call to action, inviting readers to connect, message you, or visit your website.

4. Showcase Your Experience

When listing your work experience on LinkedIn, use bullet points to keep descriptions concise and to effectively highlight your responsibilities and achievements. Whenever possible, quantify your success with specific numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as "Increased sales by 30% in six months." Tailor each job description to reflect the keywords and skills that are most relevant to the roles you’re targeting, ensuring your profile aligns with your career goals.

As a business owner, this is your opportunity to link to your business page on Linkedin! When adding (or editing) your work experience, use the “Company Name” section to find your company page and connect it to your profile. If you do not have a company page, create one. 

The more companies you connect with (and visually show connection on your LinkedIn profile) to more implicit credit you will be given. It will also improve your profile’s performance in LinkedIn’s search. 

5. Highlight Your Skills

The "Skills & Endorsements" section is essential for highlighting your capabilities on LinkedIn. Focus on listing skills that align with your career goals and the roles you're interested in, ensuring they match the job descriptions of positions you aim to secure. Prioritize your top three skills, as these will be most prominently displayed on your profile. To boost credibility, reach out to colleagues and connections to endorse these skills, reinforcing your expertise in the eyes of potential employers or collaborators.

6. Request Recommendations

Recommendations on your LinkedIn profile act as valuable testimonials that validate your skills and work ethic. When requesting recommendations, be thoughtful by asking colleagues, supervisors, or clients who can genuinely speak to your abilities and contributions. To make the request more effective, be specific about what you’d like them to highlight, such as a particular project you worked on together and your role in it.

Writing recommendations for others can encourage them to reciprocate, increasing the likelihood of receiving endorsements in return.

If you want to write someone a recommendation, the foolproof place to start is on your own profile. Select the “+” in the “Recommendations” section and select “Write a recommendation.” You will then be prompted to find the person for whom you want to write a recommendation. 

7. Add Relevant Certifications and Education

LinkedIn provides a platform to highlight your educational background and certifications effectively. Include any industry-specific courses or certifications that can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your expertise. For courses or certifications that may not be widely recognized, add brief descriptions to clarify what they involve and how they contribute to your professional qualifications.

8. Engage with Your Network

A strong LinkedIn profile remains active and engaging rather than static. Regularly share content by posting articles, industry news, or original insights to interact with your network. Actively comment on posts from your connections and reach out to industry professionals to build meaningful connections. Additionally, join and participate in LinkedIn groups related to your field to broaden your network and enhance your visibility.

The most obvious place for us to start is the Women Mean Biz LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-mean-biz/. If you’re not already following, start following today and connect with fellow members via the group. 

9. Customize Your LinkedIn URL

A customized LinkedIn URL is both more professional and easier to share. Create a clean and straightforward URL using your name or a variation of it, such as linkedin.com/in/mollykoe. This personalized URL could be included on your resume, business cards other social media accounts and/ or Linktr. This will make it simple for others to locate your profile and connect with you.

To accomplish this, go to your profile and select the pencil icon at the top right next to, “Public profile & URL”

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

A strong LinkedIn profile is a dynamic tool that can open doors to new opportunities, whether you’re actively seeking them or not. By following these steps, you ensure your profile stands out in a crowded digital space and reflects your professional brand effectively. 

Your LinkedIn profile should evolve alongside your career to remain relevant and impactful. Regularly updating your profile with new roles, achievements, skills, and certifications will keep it current. Maintaining an active presence by sharing content and engaging with others, helps keep your profile fresh and visible. 

If you’d like more one-on-one support with your LinkedIn profile, schedule a 1-2-1 with me and I’d be happy to help: https://calendly.com/mollykoe/30min!

Be sure to connect with me on Linkedin, as well: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollykoe/.