Change Your Future

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LinkedIn 2

by | Dec 9, 2022

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the internet. You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. A complete LinkedIn profile can help you connect with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story through experience, skills, and education.

LinkedIn vs. Resume

Getting Started

To create your LinkedIn profile:

  1. Navigate to the LinkedIn sign up page.
  2. Type your first and last name, email address, and a password you’ll use.
  3. Click Join now.

To edit your existing LinkedIn profile:

Turn off the option to share profile edits to eliminate notifications about changes to your network. 

  1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
  2. Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown.
  3. Click the Visibility tab on the left.
  4. Under Visibility of your LinkedIn activity, click on Share profile updates with your network.
  5. Switch the toggle to Off to stop sharing your profile edits.
  6. Your changes will be saved automatically.

Your Professional Profile Must Have

1. Creating a Custom URL

  1. Click on your Profile
  2. Click on “Edit your public profile” on the right column
  3. A new window will appear – “Your public profile URL” can be edited
  4. Remove the 6 numbers behind your name
  5. Ensure it’s professional (“john.smith” vs. “JohnnyIsDaBomb”)

2. Professional Profile Photo

Your profile picture is a key element of your LinkedIn presence. Research shows that just having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed by others.

3. Great Professional Headline

Who you are, what you want to do (120 characters or less)

Here are the 4 things that should be included in your headline:

  1. Say WHAT you are
  2. Say WHO you help
  3. Say HOW you make their life/work better
  4. Give PROOF that you are credible

4. Great Professional Summary/About

The summary or “about” section is often under-utilized, and many LinkedIn users leave it blank or type a short tagline that is better suited for the headline. Use your summary to strengthen your profile by adding some personality and telling your career story to inspire action from the readers. Whereas the headline is limited to 120 characters, the summary has 2000 characters which is about 300 words.

Answering the following questions will help you craft a strong summary:

  1. What are your goals and aspirations?
  2. Why are you passionate about this – Remember your “Why” from your Best Life Career statement
  3. Are there any unique skills and knowledge that you bring from your past experiences?
  4. How do you add to the culture of your workplace?

Here is an example:

“Colleagues know me as a highly creative marketer who can always be trusted to come up with a new approach. But I know that the client’s business comes first, and I never try to impose my ideas on others. Instead, I spend a lot of time understanding the business and the audience before suggesting ideas. I can (and often do) work well alone, but I’m at my best collaborating with others. Etc, etc…..”remember end with a “call to action”

5. Your Experiences

Use this section to establish you as a credible trustworthy employee. 

  1. Add a description to each work experience

Do not copy the details from their resume and paste it directly into their experience section as your LinkedIn profile and resume serve different purposes.

  1. Focus on your most recent and relevant roles

Hiring managers and recruiters tend to look at your current responsibilities and accomplishments. Just like on your resume, you can be selective and remove positions that are not relevant to your career aspirations and dream job. 

  • Use action words, similar to a resume (e.g.. Engaged, facilitated, coordinated, managed, produced)
  • Use keywords relevant to your industry (soft skills and hard skills)
  • Correct tenses (past tense vs. present tense)
  • Upload supporting documents (PDF, IMG, PowerPoint, etc.)

No Relevant Experience? Show that you are adaptable! Highlight academic achievements, volunteer work, awards

6. Your Education: School, Degree, Field of Study, Activities and Societies

Timelines: When did you or will you graduate

Highlight how this credential will help you achieve your dream profession

Now it’s time to build your network

Example of Personalized Invitation

Send invitations to people you would like to connect with on LinkedIn, however make sure its personalized.

  1. How you know them, know about them, or found them
  2. Identify commonalities
  3. Tell who you are and why you’d like to connect
  4. Warm, polite end

Finding Jobs on LinkedIn

  • Open Candidates – ‘Update Career Interests’
  • Search jobs via the Job tab on your profile
  • Download the LinkedIn Job App (Mobile)
  • Follow your target companies

Action Tasks:

  1. In the comment box below, share your LinkedIn URL.
  2. Your goal by the end of this program is to have 50+ LinkedIn connections.