Q: I started a LinkedIn account about ten years ago in college. I haven’t done much with it since, and, perhaps understandably in those circumstances, it hasn’t done much for me either. I’m wondering what I should do now to give it a lift because I know it can be much more beneficial than it currently is. Any tips? (LP, email ).
A: A LinkedIn profile is like a new house – building it is only half the story, writes The LinkedIn Team, Slí Nua Careers.
Below are steps you can take to give the profile an opportunity to work for you in terms of attracting useful contacts and perhaps serious enquiries from recruiters. Or you may wish to use LinkedIn to reassure and impress customers and clients.
Additionally, a good LinkedIn profile can act as an adjunct – official or unofficial – to job applications you submit. Whether you like it or not – or, indeed, know it or not – clients, employers and recruiters regularly check out applicants’ LinkedIn profiles.
1. Put a good head and shoulders photograph of yourself on your profile. Make sure it’s up to date, not one from ten years ago.
2. Update your work experience and studies. Time to do it now – put in ample, but not exhaustive, details of jobs you’ve worked in, achievements you’ve had, knowledge you’ve acquired and courses you’ve completed since you first opened your account. This is crucial. Otherwise, it looks like you stopped existing ten years ago.
3. Can you supplement the above with web links, videos, images or pdfs? Evidence proves. Recruiters will take time to figure you out by reading these things if they are well presented and don’t overstay their welcome. Equally, potential contacts will spend a few minutes looking at what exactly you’ve been up to.
4. The early parts of your profile, most notably your LinkedIn summary, are likely to be completely out of date and irrelevant now. Take time to spruce it all up so that readers get an immediate overview of who you are, what you are good at and – subtly, in some cases – where you wish to go to next.
5. If you’re actively looking for work, you can use your LinkedIn profile to help you. Follow certain companies, join and comment in relevant groups and apply for jobs. You can give the nod to recruiters that you are on the prowl.
Slí Nua Careers (www.SliNuaCareers.com ) offer a full online service. Their services include CV preparation, interview training, public speaking and presentation skills, and career direction. For more details, visit www.slinuacareers.com
