LinkedIn Profile Checklist |
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Your LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn is basically a database. Thus, it is important for you to fill out your profile completely, so the database can find you when someone does a search. Here is a checklist to help you complete your profile. If you are just getting started on your profile or have very little done, I suggest doing a little each day rather than trying to complete your profile in one session. Then UPDATE your STATUS once a week. This lets people know that you are still alive and kicking. That sends a positive message. BASIC INFO Name This is pretty obvious. Women should include their maiden name. Picture A business-style headshot. Don't use the type of photos that you would use on Facebook. This profile is your billboard to the professional world. Your Professional Headline This gives you a chance to tell the world what you want them to know about you. Don't just say "civil engineer." Try something like "civil engineer with a passion for sustainable design in third world countries." This is where you give depth to your online persona. Then you have country, ZIP code, and industry. This information shows up at the top of your profile and is used in searches. If your industry isn't listed, pick one that's close. STATUS The next block is your chance to tell people what you're up to. Are you attending a conference, preparing a presentation, planning a trip, researching a topic? If you don't have anything particular that you want to put in here, you can always add a quote that means something to you. UPDATE this at least once a week. BASIC INFORMATION Current Employer Tell them who you work for. If you serve on a board of directors or some role with a non-profit, include that here as well. Again, it provides depth. Past Employer List these. I would limit this to two or three. You have more room below to flush out other past employers and the roles you played there. And do include all employers, even if not in your current field. If you are a recent graduate, include internships. As with all sections, include information that helps people get to know you and to find you. Education List last to first-Ph.D., master's, undergrad. You have room below to flush this section out more with major, graduation year, honors, sororities and fraternities, sports, whatever. Recommendations This tells how many people have recommended you. The recommendations themselves appear below. Don't go crazy with recommendations. I would not go beyond having 10-any more than that can give a negative impression that your recommendations are suspect. You don't want to recommend someone so they will recommend you-unless it is a heartfelt recommendation. Connections In this section of your profile, LI will just say how many connections you have. There are different approaches to connections. A. Connect with anyone who will connect with you. Go for quantity. B. Connect primarily with people in your field and people who live where your clients hang out. C. Only connect with those people you know personally. I choose option B because I want to connect with engineers I don't know, and I want to go where my engineering buddies go. You can choose to keep your connections private, so others can't see them. This is under "Settings." However, that defeats the purpose of sharing who we know and is not seen as a sign of goodwill and cooperation. Website You have room to add three websites. Include your own site if you have one or use your company's website. If you have a blog, include it here. If you're involved in a non-profit, you could include that site here as well. You do not have to list three-that is just your option. You can link to your Twitter identity here. Public Profile Click on this link to customize your profile. You want to include a link to this profile in your email signature. It will direct people to your profile, which is basically your sales letter. SUMMARY This is where you tell folks what you do. Remember, this is your chance to get your story out. Use bullets so people can scan your profile quickly. Be sure to list programs that you are certified in as well as any other specialties you may have. Include a section that lists keywords that someone may search on. If you have presented at conference or have authored white papers, list them here. You will have a chance to post the actual white paper a little further down in the profile. It's important that your profile is easy to read. Keep paragraphs very short and use lots of white space. Do not present a gray block of text. Work Experience Flush out your previous work experiences with any information that will help you stand out. Mention special projects that you are proud to have worked on. If you served on a special committee or had a leadership role, be sure to include that. Education As with your work experience, expand your information on your education. Additional information You can add other information here that you want people to know about you. Some people list their birthdays; I choose not to. Some folks will set up a separate email account for LI. I use my regular email for LI, so I don't have to check multiple email accounts. The point is, you want to make it easy for people to find you and contact you. APPLICATIONS A number of free applications are available that can enrich your profile and give more dimension to your online presence. Here are a few of the popular ones. · Word Press: Use this app to feature your own blog on your profile. · Slide Share: You can upload PowerPoint presentations or PDF presentations that show people what you can do. An architect, for example, could feature pictures of his favorite projects. · Reading List by Amazon: Draw attention to your favorite books. Some have suggested you share one business book and one non-business book. · TripIt lets people know where you are traveling to. It's a great way to arrange to meet one of your connections when you are out of town. |
