How to create a LinkedIn profile that stands out

Here are some practical tips for creating a compelling LinkedIn profile, showing your value and helping you get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

• Have the right profile picture

Ever heard of putting a face to a name? Someone is more likely to remember your name when they know what you look like, and your profile picture is one of the first things people notice. Just like meeting someone in real life, a good picture will help shape their impression of you.

The aim of your profile picture is to show that you are approachable and confident. It’s all about context, so make sure the picture is a professional-looking headshot with good lighting and that you are suitably dressed.

• Create an eye-catching headline

Together with your picture, your headline is the first thing recruiters see. Don’t just list your job title, use words that highlight your skills or achievements. Saying you’re an ‘award-winning content creator’ or ‘top-performing sales agent’ is more appealing than just saying writer or sales agent.

It also shows your accomplishments upfront, which could entice the reader to click on your profile to learn more.

• Let the ‘About me’ section speak volumes

The ‘About me’ section on your LinkedIn profile gives you the opportunity to tell your story and let the reader get to know you and your personality. Make the most of it by highlighting your professional experience, accomplishments and expertise but also what you want to achieve in the future.

To make it engaging and memorable, keep your summary concise and easy to read, using short paragraphs. Create a complete picture of you as a professional. This could help you connect with like-minded professionals and employers.

• Quantify your impact in the experience section

This is where you truly prove your value and differentiate yourself. Instead of simply listing job duties, focus on your accomplishments and the results you achieved in each role. Use numbers, percentages, and metrics whenever possible.

For example, instead of ‘Managed social media campaigns’ write ‘Grew social media engagement by 30% and increased lead generation by 15% through targeted campaigns’. This demonstrates tangible value and sets you apart from profiles that just list responsibilities.

• Showcase your work with the Featured section

LinkedIn's 'Featured' section allows you to highlight posts, articles, links to your portfolio, projects, presentations, or media. This is an excellent way to visually demonstrate your capabilities, provide concrete examples of your work, and give recruiters a deeper insight into your professional output and creativity.

• Get recommendations and endorsements

Social proof is incredibly powerful. Reach out to former colleagues, managers, or clients and ask them to write a recommendation highlighting your skills and contributions. Genuine, specific recommendations add significant credibility to your profile and validate your expertise from an external perspective. Similarly, ensure your key skills are endorsed by your connections, especially those in your field, as this signals competence to recruiters.

• Use the right keywords

When recruiters search for people to fill a role, they use phrases and common words associated with the position in their search parameters. By using those terms, you can make yourself more visible when they’re searching for people in your field.

Choose common and specific words in terms of your skills, duties and abilities throughout your profile so you’ll be more likely to come up in the recruiter’s search.

• Start posting

LinkedIn is a social media platform, and by engaging with others, you can expand your network, build relationships and increase your visibility. Join related groups, participate in discussions, like, share and comment. Posting sets you apart as a thought leader and lets you pop up on people’s feeds.

By following these tips, you can create a LinkedIn profile that not only showcases your professionalism but also helps you stand out to LinkedIn recruiters and advance your career.

_{Disclaimer: This article is solely intended for information. It does not constitute financial, tax or investment advice or recommendation. Please speak to a financial advisor or registered financial professional before making any financial decision(s).}

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