Best Ways to Optimise Your LinkedIn Account

It’s not just companies who should be marketing themselves on LinkedIn, it’s for individuals as well. The position of the platform has become so ingrained within the business world that an effective profile can make the difference between getting or missing out on a new job. Take it from us, putting in the time to optimise your LinkedIn account is well worth the effort. Here are some of our best ways to optimise your LinkedIn account:

Modify Your Visibility Settings – Choosing to configure your privacy settings should be an obvious tact when on the hunt for employment. Its value goes beyond that though – personal branding and reputation cultivation are exactly what it’s all about in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Use a Professional Photo – You should select a recent image that conveys you in a warm and professional sense. White backgrounds are popular, because it’s harder to go wrong with one.

Utilise the Header Image – In addition to your profile picture, you can also upload a banner image to your personal profile. Pick something which is consistent with your personal brand and line of work.

Write a Descriptive Header and Summary – This is your best opportunity to optimise your profile for industry keywords. Spend some time learning what’s being searched in your industry and tactfully incorporate these into your description.

Publish Content on a Regular Basis – Get those creative juices flowing. Pushing out your own original content regularly is a sure-fire way to build up your brand. Share your takes and earn traction – this shows any prospective employers that you know your trade and are actively engaged in the professional community.

Give and Receive Recommendations and Endorsements – Skill endorsements are undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to make your profile stand out from the crowd. And keep in mind, you give what you get. Endorse your colleagues, past and present – they’ll receive a notification and may consider doing the same for you.

Engage with Others – LinkedIn is a community – put in some effort and treat it as such. Active engagement with others, especially those in your industry, is key to networking and expanding your personal brand. Share, comment and message those whose ideas interest you and build up your connections.

Prioritise Your Skills – Managing your skills is crucial. Aim to put them in order of relevance and value respective to your industry.

Edit Your URL – For those of you who don’t know, LinkedIn lets you customise your account’s URL. The best choice is to make yours as close to your real name as possible. If it’s already taken, consider adding an initial or your middle name. Some people choose to add an industry keyword as well, to help their personal brand’s SEO.

Personal branding can be a tricky task to nail, but the results are well worth it. With LinkedIn at our disposal, it’s never easier or more worthwhile to invest energy in. Take every opportunity to promote yourself – that’s how you play the game.