How to Write the Best LinkedIn Profile

If you saw our blog post “How to Grow Your Network”, you’ll know how important it is to network, whether you’re looking for your next opportunity or content in your dream job. Perhaps one of the most convenient ways to do this is through the platform LinkedIn. Indeed, 198 million people use LinkedIn in Europe alone. So how do you optimise your profile to make an impression on LinkedIn?

1. Use a great profile picture

We live in a world of information overload and our brains often take shortcuts so it makes sense that the first thing we notice about someone’s profile is their profile picture. According to LinkedIn themselves, having a profile photo can lead to up to 21x more profile views and 9x more connection requests. Make sure your photo is of yourself (not a logo or character), dressed for the job that you do or the job that you would like to do. Avoid distracting backdrops and selfies. Ensure there is natural light and that you are the only person in the photo.

2. Update your status

If you are looking for your next opportunity, use the platform to its full potential by signalling to employers, recruiters and contacts that you are open to work. You can do this by clicking the “Open to” button on your LinkedIn profile and updating your settings. Don’t forget to make it easy for employers to get in contact with you by ensuring your contact details are up to date.

3. Optimise the “About” section

This 2,600 character section is your opportunity to display your professional story so far. You really can be as creative as you like but do try to be original and avoid tired buzzwords and overused phrases. If you are going to list your skills and experience, make sure that you support these with examples. End your summary with a call to action according to your networking ambition; for example, if you are looking for more connections, tell the viewer to connect with you today.

4. Work Experience

Rather than a tedious form-filling task, detailing your work experience is an opportunity to showcase the skills and knowledge you have gained over various experiences throughout your professional life. Be sure to be specific, giving relevant examples of how you have developed and explaining measurable results. When adding job titles, it’s better to use universal titles that any company can recognise rather than internal position names.

5. Engage with companies you admire

You can engage with companies whose culture you admire and values align with your own by answering their polls and liking, sharing and commenting on their posts. This makes you better placed should you ever wish to collaborate with or apply to work for these organisations given the relationship you have already established. Engaging with companies and professionals on linked makes you more noticeable and can lead to more profile views and connections.

6. Grow your network

You could have the most interesting LinkedIn profile but if nobody sees it, you won’t achieve your networking aims. See our blog post “How to Grow Your Network” for tips on how to grow your network.