‘Your LinkedIn is trash’
Those were the blunt words I heard from Latoya Antonio, a Spencer Stuart advisor, as she gave a presentation on how to ensure executives are prepared to join boards and other forms of executive leadership.
I was sitting in an ornately decorated conference room at ExcelerateHer Women’s Leadership Summit, founded by PMM Agency CEO Kimberly Blackwell.
Still, Antonio’s wise words made my ears perk up because even though it was harsh, I knew it was true for many. How often are we poring over our LinkedIn profile and not just listing our experience, but curating it to strategically position us in our careers?
Business Insider’s newsroom is filled with LinkedIn fans, and it reminded me to take a peek at my own profile to ensure it’s up to date with best practices. So, I reached out to LinkedIn for their advice on how to boost your profile.
LinkedIn Career Expert Catherine Fisher told me to “think of your profile as your digital first impression.” Here are her three tips to improve it:
- Choose a strong profile photo. “Your photo is the first impression people get, so make it count. Professionals with a profile photo receive up to 2x more profile views. You don’t need anything fancy, just a clear, well-lit headshot with a simple background where you look like yourself. It’s a simple way for your friends, colleagues, or former classmates to recognize and discover you on LinkedIn.”
- Showcase your Education and Experience. “To help recruiters find you on LinkedIn, make sure your Experience section clearly highlights your strengths and key wins. Add in your education, side projects, and volunteer work so they can see the full scope of what you bring. And don’t overlook the Featured section; this is a great place to drop in articles, presentations, or other work so recruiters can easily scan your previous work.”
- Add a Verification badge. “It’s worth taking a minute to verify your profile. People with a verified badge stand out. By confirming your info, you’re telling the community and future employers that you’re the real deal. Plus, it works! Verified members get a massive 60% boost in profile views. It’s more than a badge; it’s your professional edge.”
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