DEVELOPMENT mistake . Your summary is the perfect opportunity for you to bring your page to life . Instead of using the space to only talk about your skills , explain why they matter and the difference you can make to people ’ s lives . This is what makes a difference .
Quality networks over quantity
5 Having 500 connections establishes you as a networker and influencer on LinkedIn , and the more connections you have , the more likely you are to be seen by businesses . However , it ’ s no good connecting with just anybody . It ’ s best only to make quality connections that are relevant to you . Connect with present and past colleagues and prospective employers for the best results .
10 tips for the ultimate LinkedIn profile
With people being hired through LinkedIn every minute , it is more important than ever to have a profile that stands out . Here , Paul Lewis shares his insider secrets for getting noticed …
THE EXPERT
Managing director of Pitman Training , Paul is an expert when it comes to helping people improving their career prospects , securing promotions and getting back to work .
Pick the perfect picture
1 First impressions matter on social media , so choosing the right picture for your LinkedIn profile goes a long way . Make sure you are dressed appropriately and that your face is clearly displayed . Add a smile too , to appear approachable and confident .
Make more of your headline
2 Your headline doesn ’ t have to just be your job title . Could you use it to say a bit more about how you see your role , why you do what you do , and what makes you tick ? A good headline not only provides an overview of what you do , but it will also encourage users to click on your profile .
Back up your buzzwords
3 Buzzwords on LinkedIn mean nothing unless you back them up . Just because you use terms like ‘ specialised ’, ‘ leadership ’, ‘ focused ’, ‘ strategic ’ or ‘ experienced ’ to describe yourself doesn ’ t prove you have those qualities . Try and demonstrate your abilities throughout your profile and in your posts as well as just listing them .
Use your summary to explain why
4 you ’ re useful Many people overlook the summary when creating their LinkedIn profile . Don ’ t make this
Show off your ( relevant ) skills
6 Adding your skills should be the easiest thing to do on LinkedIn – simply scroll through the list of skills and identify those relevant to you . Although , the keyword here is ‘ relevant ’. While a long list of skills may look great , if you can ’ t do something to a high standard , it ’ s best to remove it from your list as you could be tripped up if an employer asks about it .
Take a skills assessment
7 A skills assessment is a voluntary online test that demonstrates your skills and displays a Verified Skills Badge on your profile . These badges can increase your employability factor when recruiters review your profile . The best thing about the skills assessments ? You can retake the tests as often as you like before adding them to your profile , so they ’ re worth the effort .
Request recommendations
8 In the same way that testimonials benefit a business , recommendations can benefit your credibility . Ask your past employers , teachers , or colleagues for recommendations to illustrate their experience of working with you .
Follow industry experts
9 The people you follow on LinkedIn will dictate what you see on your feed . So , follow other EAs to see a range of interesting and relevant content . You can then share this content to your page and add your opinion to demonstrate your expertise .
Establish your expertise
10 Positioning yourself as a pro at your job is probably the single most valuable thing you can do when looking for employment on LinkedIn . You can establish your expertise by commenting on posts , sharing content and creating your own original content . These are simple steps that can transform your profile . S pitman-training . com
Summer Issue 2023 | Executive PA 61