When was the last time you reviewed your LinkedIn information?

Reviewing your LinkedIn presence ensures you’re adding new accomplishments as they happen and you’re ridding outdated information.

Below you will discover some nitty-gritty tips and points for updating your new LinkedIn profile.

It’s exactly the list I use with my clients but please know the article below is NOT all inclusive of what it takes to create a winning LinkedIn profile. Do you really have time to complete all that is involved?

It’s a checklist. A ‘do and done’ kind of list. Let’s get started! (WAIT: By reading part 1 of the 3 part series and part 2 of the 3 part series you’re well on your way to a completely optimized profile).

Summary

✔ VALUE: State/list accomplishments (e.g. products developed, sales success, new process development etc.)

✔ Include EDUCATION (e.g. MBA, BA in Business), languages beyond English, certifications, etc.

✔ Expertise: Chunk your expertise areas using a ✔ (10 – 15 works well).

NOTE: LinkedIn allows a maximum of 1950 +/- characters (including spaces) for the Summary section (working up your profile content in MS Word before install is helpful as using the review/word count tool can save time when installing the content to the account).

✔ Don’t forget images (your image at a conference, a relevant product, PDF of your work etc.). Be creative!

Experience

✔ Again, you want to be working within a separate WORD document and/or your resume. Working directly on the LinkedIn platform is difficult and if the computer freezes all work will be lost.

✔ Re-work work experiences. Most cases, you may have added content quickly and refining and adding is necessary. Basically, your current profile is sometimes in disarray and you need to be sure the dates/job titles are correct and the content is complete.

✔ Ensure company name reflects ‘official’ LinkedIn business names (You want the logo to show when possible).

✔ The current job title (1st Experience) is an extremely important field for LinkedIn and Google search results. So, it’s critical that the field is populated with as many relevant keywords as possible.

✔ Write job title – Start with level (Analyst, Manager, Director, VP, Partner, C-Suite), then a colon then separated by | Use ALL of the allotted 100 characters.

✔ For each job description start with 1-3 sentence job scope or a description of the company from the About Us section of the company website ► Then add in accomplishments leading with power word and ► next add job duties leading with power word again.

Skills and Expertise (Endorsement Area)

✔ Add, change and/or rearrange ‘skills/keywords’. Reach all 50 that are available to you. Delete existing, non-keyword skills like “leader” “punctual” “team player “that will not help your LinkedIn or Google rankings in search. Keep skill words that have endorsements already.

✔ The first 3 keywords will show before the reader must click to see more. So, the top 3 should be the current goal!!

✔ Use the ‘move around keywords control’ under the skills section by clicking the ‘pencil’ to reorder.

Education

✔ Ensure school names reflect official LinkedIn school names (you want the logos to show – if the company has one)

✔ Add or edit school details: Consider adding a symbol (♦) before Master’s, bachelors etc.

Other (and IMPORTANT)

✔ Add applicable content to as many of these sections as applicable: Interests, Organizations, Honors & Awards, Publications, Patents, Projects, Images, Videos, Documents, Languages, Test Scores, Courses, Volunteering, Causes, Certifications

✔ You want to complete your profile in its entirety (where information is available) to receive an ‘All-Star Rating.’

★ Background Header Image: Have you considered what image would reflect you (your brand)? For example, I updated my header image to reflect my business.

Reviewing your profile after installing your new content (Very Important) A couple of ways to review the new profile:

✔ While in profile view click Edit your public profile. This gives a clear view.

LOOK for unchecked boxes!!! If unchecked the section will not show when someone views your profile. 

Be sure all boxes are checked/click save. Now you can get a clear view of your completed profile.

Stay tuned for DIY LinkedIn Profile Optimization (BONUS)

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