13 sneaky ways to Improve your LinkedIn profile

Are you getting the most out of your LinkedIn profile?

Let us ask you a few more questions before you answer yes. Is your LinkedIn headline describing your most relevant skills to future connections? Is your LinkedIn profile picture in decent shape? Do you even have a LinkedIn profile picture? Is it possible for your present employer to see your job search updates if you’re looking for a new job? Do you know how to let recruiters know that you’re looking for work?

If you answered no to any of these questions, read these 13 LinkedIn tricks to ensure that you’re presenting yourself in the best light possible on our favourite professional networking site.

1. Create a Vanity URL 

The vanity URL is the first thing you should do if you’re job looking, networking, or simply performing career-related things on LinkedIn. If you have a popular name, you may need to get a little more creative with your URL to make it stand out.

2. Use an eye-catching LinkedIn profile photo and background photo

Personalizing your work persona in any way you can is actually rather refreshing.

Your profile’s background photo is an opportunity to add some sparkle to it. But first, let’s talk about your profile picture. It does not have to be a beach selfie or a wedding dance photo. Maintain a professional and elegant demeanour.

3. Make a Catchy Headline

Your title should be a compelling overview of who you are, what you do, and how you go about doing it. Consider writing “what you do” plus “how you do it” instead of just “what you do.” Use keywords that are relevant to your field.

4. Make a badge for your LinkedIn profile

Did you know that LinkedIn has designed a Profile Badge that you can use on your own blog, website, or personal portfolio?

5. Organize your information by importance

You can include (or exclude) numerous sections on Linkedin. Show exactly what you’d like to show off. The following are the sections of a LinkedIn profile:

• Intro
• About
• Background (Work Experience, Education, Licenses + Certifications, Volunteer Experience)  
• Skills
• Accomplishments (Publications, Patents, Courses, Projects, Honors + Awards, Test Scores, Languages, Organizations) 
• Additional Information 

6. Use LinkedIn to network

LinkedIn is the ideal location to build a professional connection with the explicit (future) goal of advancing or changing careers. You may use LinkedIn to establish a timeline of your hobbies, relationships, and career development, similar to how you use Instagram to keep a running feed of photographs and stories.

7. Let Recruiters Know You’re Looking for Work

Let recruiters know you’re looking for new jobs. To let recruiters know you’re open to new opportunities, Switch the toggle over to Career Interests. You can also be more precise and tell recruiters what you’re searching for by selecting one of the four options below:

• Actively applying
• Casually looking
• Not looking, but open to offers
• Not open to offers