10 Essential Elements of a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Over the past decade, we’ve seen how the job application and the recruitment process have shifted to an online setting. Now people don’t have to drop their CVs in-hand to the offices. Due to the increase in this change, a professional platform called “LinkedIn” has gained much popularity. Here employers, employees, students, and companies collaborate and share their achievements. 

However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be easily approached or noticed by HR or other people if you are looking for a job. Your LinkedIn profile should be strong and noticeable enough that individuals are impressed by it and consider your application for a job. In addition, there are many individuals who don’t know how to create a compelling profile. Are you also one of them? Don’t worry because, in this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 essential elements that will make your profile stand out. So shall we start? Let’s go!

Professional Headline

Do you know what’s the first thing that gets noticed in a LinkedIn profile? It’s the headline so make it count. Rather than simply listing your current job title, use the 220-character limit to showcase your expertise and value. Moreover, try adding keywords that may reflect your field or profession. For example instead of writing “Web Developer”, try saying “Website Developing Expert | Helping Businesses Get Their Dream Websites.” 

High-Quality Profile Photo

Consider your profile picture as a virtual handshake and first impression matter. So you’ve got to be smart while choosing a picture. So how can I pick a suitable picture? A high-quality headshot that can go with the professional setup is the best choice. Moreover, make sure that your face is clear, you’re dressed appropriately for the industry, and the background is non-distracting. You might not know but profiles with a professional profile picture get more views than others. Sounds pretty simple right? If you’ve understood this point then let’s jump to the next one!

Custom URL

Many individuals might not know that LinkedIn provides a feature to customize the URL. Yes, it’s true and this is really impressive. This makes it easier for the users to share and it definitely looks more professional. Hence, instead of using the default URL that usually consists of random numbers and alphabets, create a simple and clear link like “linkedin.com/in/Your Name.” Another reason why it’s useful is because it’s easier to remember. Also, it can be added to resumes, business cards, or email signatures.

Compelling Summary

Now you’ll see a feature to write a summary about yourself. This is your chance to share your professional story and achievements with the world. Here you can tell about your career achievements, expertise, and aspirations in your own words. However, make sure that you don’t share a lot about one specific thing. This is because there’s a word limit so you won’t be able to write about other achievements. 

Lastly, this is also a good spot to include keywords related to your industry. Want to know why? LinkedIn’s algorithm uses the summary for search rankings so it can be helpful for you. Moreover, you can also get help from LinkedIn profile writing services because they can also assist you in this. Isn’t that amazing? Let’s move forward to the next point.

Skills and Endorsements

What would be the point of making a LinkedIn account without adding your skills and talent? This section is important because it highlights your major abilities. So be creative in telling the skills that are relevant to your field of work. Furthermore, remember the more recommendations you get for these qualities, the more genuine your profile will appear. 

Also, it would be great to support people because it usually leads to reciprocal referrals. In addition, LinkedIn allows you to mark down your top three skills. So make sure to highlight the ones that are most demanded in your area of interest. Easy right? Let’s move forward to the next point.

Experience Section

We all are aware of the job description part. But do you know how important it is? Your experience should include more than simply job descriptions. Each role you add must have successes, tangible results, and the impact that you made. Instead of simply stating “responsible for social media,” you can write “boosted engagement on social networks by 35% in a year through focused campaigns.” Sounds easy right? Now you may go to the next point.

Recommendations

Well, recommendations on LinkedIn act as a booster! So getting recommendations from your friends, colleagues, or clients can instantly add credibility to your profile. So try to get a few strong recommendations that speak to your skills, work ethic, and achievements. Also, there’s nothing wrong with approaching and asking your friends or people who’ve worked closely with you, to recommend you and return the favor as well. That’s how this platform works so use it accordingly!

Education and Certifications

If you’ve completed your education or you’re currently pursuing a degree, don’t forget to add that information to your LinkedIn profile. Moreover, if you’ve done any certifications or specialized training then it’s important to add that too. Want to know why it’s important? This gives you an edge especially if they are directly related to your career goals. Let’s move forward to the next point.

Engaging with Content

If you think that LinkedIn is just a static resume, you’re wrong. It’s a platform to build professional relationships and engage with the industry. For that, post regularly, share articles, comment on posts, and engage with the professionals related to your field of work. Moreover, posting insightful content or updates on current projects might help you demonstrate your skills and keep your connections involved.

Accomplishments and Projects

Use the Achievements section to draw attention to any remarkable projects, publications, awards, or honors. This is a great chance to include special contributions you’ve made outside of your regular job responsibilities. If you’ve worked on major projects or written articles in journals, putting them here can show your knowledge about the industry.