I seem to have spent the last two months appraising and helping others write their LinkedIn profile. (Not that I am complaining!) So, I thought it may be useful to share what I am looking for.
LinkedIn’s ‘your profile is only x% complete’ is actually rather unhelpful. Firstly, because it keeps changing the goal posts on what the criteria for a completed profile is. Secondly, LinkedIn just wants to know more about you to help advertisers target the right folks. It is perfectly possible to have a profile which isn’t 100% filled in, but is a great advert for you and your personal brand. My recommendation is to avoid LinkedIn’s messages about how complete your profile is or isn’t and look at your profile through the lens of the person you want to attract to you.
Use this checklist to help you see whether your LinkedIn profile is a positive advert for you and your career:
1. Is there a high quality, professional head and shoulders shot?
2. Does the professional headline have an idea of who they work with and what they do? Rather than the default: HR Manager at company X
3. Are the website links tailored with keywords in rather than just the default: ‘my company’, ‘my blog’
4. Have they customised their LinkedIn public profile URL so it is memorable?
5. Your summary section:
a) Has it been filled in?
b) Does it demonstrate their credibility?
c) Does it include relationship hooks which help you get to know them more as a person?
d) Do they feel likeable?
e) Have they added in specialties?
f) Have they got recommendations?
g) have they been endorsed?
6. Have they put some keywords in their professional headline, summary, ‘getting in touch’ and ‘current roles’
Would your Linkedin profile pass with flying colours?
