If you are spinning your wheels with regards to your career, not knowing how to use LinkedIn effectively may be to blame. By using it well, employers, entrepreneurs, and others will have a better idea of who you are as a professional or businessperson.
Some of the highest growth companies in the world use this social media site extensively; if you don’t take it seriously, you may be missing out on a slew of opportunities.
Hans Eckhardt knows what we are talking about. After taking LinkedIn seriously for the first time in his life, he was able to leave behind a company that took him for granted and landed a position with a dynamic firm where he has thrived.
Want to stand out on LinkedIn? By following our plan outlined in this post, you’ll be able to get the results you have failed to get in the past.
1) Tighten up your profile game
Whether you are looking for work or a new business opportunity on LinkedIn, making that all-important first impression is vital.
With all the info out there on the internet, we expect to find relevant data when we go searching for it, so supplying feedback that will lead to a positive perception of you should be your top priority.
Make sure your photo looks amazing – dress up for it and have it professionally taken. While this will cost you a decent amount of cash, it will help you stand tall above your competition, many of whom who don’t take this site seriously enough.
When discussing your work history, abilities, and other information relevant to your position, be sure you are clearly understood.
Do your best to avoid jargon, but in some cases, a little bit is acceptable – just keep it contextual and don’t overdo it.
Update your information regularly. Allowing your profile to stagnate will allow others to leapfrog you, so be sure to engage with others and find new things to add to your profile wherever possible.
2) Blog on your profile
Did you know LinkedIn has a blogging platform that you can use on your profile? This allows you to do things you would have never been able to do while hunting for jobs or business opportunities in the past.
This function gives you a chance to voice your opinion on various topics in your field, allowing you to stake out your place in your niche.
Show companies and influencers what you stand for, and the networking opportunities and relationships that follow could change your life.
By adding your own authentic voice to your profile, you will be building your personal brand. Making sure that it is strong is vital if you are looking to improve the quality of your life.
If you do, you’ll be able to craft an image of yourself that will tip the discussion in your favor, thereby improving your chances of victory in business.
3) Highlight your top accomplishments and skills
LinkedIn also permits you to show off your accomplishments and skills, allowing visitors to filter themselves based on whether they could use your skills or not.
Friends can vouch for you, giving your touted skills credibility in the eyes of visitors. However, LinkedIn has determined authorities in each field based on its algorithm – if you get a rec from these people, you will stand out even more, so do your best to acquire a few.
By doing this, you will attract more interest from the right professionals and companies.