No matter what stage you are in your career, having a strong LinkedIn profile can help you be discovered for new opportunities, so it is important it’s updated to reflect the current version of you.
Here are our top 6 tips on how to keep your LinkedIn profile fresh and engaging:
Refresh your profile photo
The years seem to pass us by pretty fast so it’s important to update your profile photo. Ensure it is taken facing forward with a professional backdrop and a natural smile. When uploading the file ensure you name it yourname.jpg this will ensure it returns on the first page of Google and also in Google image searches when your name is entered.
Revise your summary
Your summary is an opportunity to tell your story and introduce yourself to prospective profile viewers. Ensure you include any new achievements, upcoming industry events and future career aspirations as to what types of roles you may be seeking to move into. Conclude your summary with a call to action as to what next steps you want the reader to take, whether that be to connect with you on LinkedIn or request a copy of your CV.
Add supporting media and documents
Review any documents such as presentations and images of your work that can support your profile. Not only do LinkedIn’s algorithms prefer content rich profiles, this will also boost your visual portfolio and support your written profile. Always ensure you have permission to share your work publicly, especially if there is commercially sensitive information or controlled images included within it.
Update your current experience
Your LinkedIn profile is a combination of your CV, an online business card and a mini personalised website. Even if you’re not looking to change roles, it’s important to update your current experience with any new achievements. Things to include are certifications, courses, awards, languages, projects and publications. Also, reflect on any charity or volunteering work you may have done which can be added to your profile.
Review your contacts and groups
Go through your connections list and review who is in your network – are there people you have met with recently that you may not have added? If so, reach out with a follow-up message. Also look to colleagues you work with or new clients that you are not connected with and add them to your network.
Take the time to review which groups you are a member of and whether you are engaged to get the most value professionally. Perhaps there are new groups you can join to broaden your network or leave others that are no longer relevant. A quick review of your group memberships will ensure you get the most value professionally and open up new opportunities.
Engage, Inform, Inspire
While LinkedIn is becoming a game changer for recruitment, it’s said that nothing gets a candidate ahead like networking. And networking today has become a contact sport.
Sharing updates, posting articles and contributing to group discussions on LinkedIn will help keep your profile fresh, as well as bring more attention to it. It’s about demonstrating a willingness to share information that your current and potential future connections might find helpful.
You may not know that posts are searchable within LinkedIn and off the platform, so if you optimise the content with relevant keywords, it can show up in external searches too. As an added bonus, LinkedIn members who are not connections can opt to follow you from your post and will be updated when you next publish on LinkedIn.
If this all seems too difficult, there are organisations like ABCV Solutions that can help you create, optimise and maintain your LinkedIn profile with these and other visibility-boosting methods.
Our LinkedIn Optimisation service covers a comprehensive 20–point checklist that includes all front-end keyword rich sections, personalising your URL, utilising LinkedIn’s latest features and adjusting settings to maximise visibility with discipline and industry-specific recruiters, groups and companies.
And if its social media management that you’re after, our team of dedicated social media experts will work with you to grow your professional brand, connect you with your target audience and increase traffic to your LinkedIn profile.
Contact us today to find out more.
