The new year is often viewed as a time for setting and achieving goals, often related to one’s personal lives. Though focusing on one’s health and relationships is undeniably important, it is also crucial to set goals that relate to your professional trajectory. Though this may look different from person to person, there are certain components of your professional brand that should be a focus – such as your LinkedIn profile. To strategically optimize your LinkedIn profile, there are certain best practices that you must follow. The following will help you effectively develop the perfect LinkedIn profile for 2019.
Professional Photo
The first thing that others notice about your profile is your picture. Whether you have a professional headshot or a picture that was clearly a selfie or is a low-quality photograph, your picture has the potential to either dissuade or encourage others to click on your profile and, ultimately, professionally connect. Although it isn’t necessary to hire a photographer, carefully selecting a photograph can make a difference for your profile.
Professional Headline
In addition to your picture, your professional headline is the first descriptor of your professional brand; therefore, it is essential that you carefully craft your headline to properly depict your career background and aspirations. When determining what to write, there are a few things to consider; your headline should be concise and search engine optimized. Be sure to include terms that are related to the industry that you are interested in or employed in. There is a balance in how much information your headline should include. Thus, each keyword should be effective and strategic.
Job-Related Information
With regard to the content of your profile, your job-related information should be in line with your resume. That being said, your LinkedIn profile should encourage others to ask for your resume and doesn’t need your entire background. However, your profile should certainly highlight your most notable accomplishments from your career thus far. Though your LinkedIn profile should encourage other professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers to start a conversation with you regarding your career, it should also leave enough information out to actually continue it.