SIMPLE WAYS TO CREATE AND GROW YOUR PROFILE

Further to last weeks post sharing advice from LinkedIn insider Shaun Coulton, here are some helpful ways to grow your profile.

Using an invaluable indicator, the heat map, learn where users pay most attention to your profile:

• Photo: wear work appropriate clothing and get a good professional head shot - not one with your ex’s head cropped out .

• Tagline: use key words for search optimisation. Elaborate on your basic job title.

Follow these expert instructions to continue making improvements:

• Summary: tell your story concisely and speak in the first person.

• What to write in the summary: I am the <insert job title>, having worked at <insert business name>, I can provide….

• Include the value YOU provide. Talk yourself up! Even if you have "just been waitressing" don't sell yourself short on all those excellent customer service, communication and negotiating skills you have mastered.

• Something personal. “Further to my professional career <insert hobby/sport/interest>". I heard right from the horses mouth (well a principal's mouth anyway) that they ARE INTERESTED in knowing what sort of person you are and the interests you have.

• Add about 8-10 specialty key words that match with your tagline.

You're still here? OK, let's do some more work on it:

• Show proof points in terms of outcomes, results and achievements.

• Include causes you care about.

• Write to your professional connections and ask for endorsements and recommendations. But remember, you don't have to accept them.

• Also add a skill using the edit function. Refine it to 6-8 that are in your summary.

• Include honours and awards

• You can also edit the order of sections. For example: education can be listed above experience if you are concerned about your lack of professional work experience.

Next week, look out for 6 HOT TIPS TO GET MORE FROM LINKEDIN