To LinkedIn or Not to LinkedIn  

Officially launched on May 5, 2003, LinkedIn is easily the largest professional platform that exists today. With over 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn is a vital resource for both the jobseeker and the employer in today’s vastly changing employment landscape. Over 49 million users are actively utilizing LinkedIn each week in search of new positions. And, conversely, statistics show that 95% of employment recruiters utilize LinkedIn in their search for high-quality talent. 

So, whether you’re actively looking for a new role, or maybe you’d like to start growing your professional network to build connections, knowledge and credibility, LinkedIn is a powerful resource to get the ball rolling. 

Now, how can you make sure your professional presence on LinkedIn will get noticed? 

What Should Your LinkedIn Profile Include? 

Let’s break down each section and talk about what’s key in a stand-out professional profile. 

Profile Picture: 

When you show up for an interview, you want to look sharp to make a good first impression, right? In that same way, a profile picture is your only means to make a good visual first impression within the digital world. And play on the statistics—LinkedIn members with a profile photo receive far more engagement than their counterparts, a significant 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests! Professional photos are great, but using or taking your own photo is also a practical option. Just remember to dress appropriately, utilize good lighting and have your smile showcase your confidence and approachability. Say cheese! 

Headline and location: 

Accurate and updated header and location is key. These are some of the first things people see on your profile and boost your visibility in searches. A good header summarizes your expertise, while an accurate location increases your chances of being found by recruiters and networking contacts. Keep this updated and accurate to maximize your impact and opportunity.  

About Section: 

The about section, aka your summary, is one of the most important parts on your profile. This is where you get the opportunity to give an overview of your professional career and experiences. If you are a current jobseeker, this is a great area to highlight some professional achievements and what you are seeking in a future role. 

Experience and Education: 

Your experience section is one of the main sections recruiters and employers look at when reviewing your profile. An effective section will have all your work experience and include a concise summary or a few key bullet points outlining duties and responsibilities. You don’t want to make each experience long, instead highlight 3-5 key details to ensure clarity and impact.   

Skills and Achievements:  

These two sections are areas followers can quickly scan to see if you have anything relevant to the role they are targeting. Use this area to prioritize skills that are most relevant to your ideal job. This is a great opportunity to highlight hard and soft skills. Additionally, the achievements section is a great area to quickly highlight any key professional accomplishments. 

Why It Matters: Benefits of a Strong Profile 

A good profile and an active presence on LinkedIn have many benefits, including developing a professional network, building a personal brand, and potentially landing you the career you’ve been dreaming of! 

Strong professional network: 

With the sheer number of users on LinkedIn, the opportunities for networking are endless. Building a social network on Linked allows you to create connections with other professionals to increase your industry knowledge, gain support in your quest to achieve professional goals or even seek out your next career opportunity. So be active- post helpful content, engage with others’ posts, and don’t be afraid to initiate conversations! 

Building a personal brand: 

The digital world provides us perhaps the quickest way to build and market our own unique personal brand. But where do you start? Be yourself. Authenticity is key to building trust with your audience. And make sure that you’re providing value to your followers. If you’ve learned something, share it. If you made a mistake, let others know so they can gain insight from your experience. Maintaining credibility is essential to growing your following. 

Getting that new job:  

In today’s competitive job market, LinkedIn has become a powerful resource for employers and recruiters looking to land top talent. By effectively showcasing your accomplishments and expertise, you can position yourself as a standout candidate in the eyes of potential employers.  

 So, whether you’re actively seeking employment or simply aiming to boost professional visibility, LinkedIn provides a dynamic platform to achieve your objectives. Having a strong profile is key to leveraging the platform effectively and efficiently.  

At Skywalk Group, we have a dedicated team of professionals engaging with LinkedIn daily. If you are seeking to fill open roles or explore fresh career opportunities, connect with us today!  

 By: Sami Sandecki & Paige Timm

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