7 Must-Have Things in Your LinkedIn Profile

In this increasingly digitised world where everything has gone virtual, social media presence often becomes your first medium to meet employers and hiring managers. It i no secret that employers are increasingly using social media to check a candidate's integrity. Owing to which, you have to ensure that you deliver positive first impression through your profile.

When it comes to using social media to build professional personal brand, there are good chances that most people will directly think about LinkedIn. Unlike Facebook or Twitter where you can use made-up names and upload casual photo profiles, LinkedIn encourages its users to build a more formal and professional image for their account. Not to mention, you can upload your resume online, build a network, and market yourself to attract potential employers on LinkedIn.

When someone checks on your LinkedIn page, they want to learn more information about you, especially your professional skills, experience, and credibility. Therefore, in order to spark people’s interests towards your profile, it is crucial for job seekers to build a powerful and impressive LinkedIn profile.

If you need some advice on how to create an impactful LinkedIn account, here are the 7 things that you should not miss out on your profile:

1.    A profile photo with a smile

While you do not have to get professional photographer to take your picture, it is important to put on high-quality and recent photo. Do not use old pictures of yourself on LinkedIn. Your profile pic should be recent to reflect your current maturity, age and style. Additionally, it is highly recommended to wear a smile but not those that flash your pearly whites. A smiling photo profile will make you look more friendly and approachable.

2.    Customise headline on our LinkedIn profile

Other than your photo, name, and current job position, your profile headline is the first thing that shows up on your LinkedIn profile and attracts employers attention. Therefore, work on unique catchy headlines that describe your personality in a brief. It is advisable to customise your headline using certain keywords to draw visitor traffic to your profile.

3.    Detailed work history

LinkedIn profile might not be a resume, but it is similar to one. To complete your profile, you are required to fill in your work history to include job experiences, skills, past employers, as well as current position and company. Make sure that you provide detailed information on your profile, such that employers will know your qualifications better.

4.    Updated information

Do not leave your page in cobwebs. Even if you are employed and not actively looking for a job, it is good to keep your LinkedIn updated. If you are pursuing a higher degree while working, you might want to update your master’s degree qualification on your educational information. Such that when recruiters are searching for candidates with particular degrees, your name will pop up in the search.

5.    Credible recommendations

Recommendations are powerful tools to validate the information stated on your profile, and thus makes you professional profile more credible. It is good to build a positive personal brand. You can ask for recommendations and endorsements from someone who knows you well about your key strengths and qualities. Such as for example, you can ask for your coworkers or supervisors to add you to their professional networks and offer recommendations.

6.    A compelling summary

Before going on to read your whole information, people will check out your profile summary first. Therefore, your summary should clearly tell people who you are, and what makes you different from other talents with same qualifications in the market. Create a compelling summary that will enforce your bargaining power in the job market.

7.    Personalised profile URL

Basically, LinkedIn will give you long, random, and impersonal profile URL. However, do you know that you can modify it? You can always personalise this URL to reflect your professional self. Pick out the best name that bears your personal brand, such that people can easily associate the URL with you.

Do you have any other ideas that will enhance LinkedIn profile? Feel free to share with us!