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7 Ways to Improve your LinkedIn Profile Strength

How to Improve your LinkedIn Profile Strength

It happens very often that we wonder “What’s the LinkedIn profile strength status after All-Star? What do I have to do to get it? How do I attain the next one?”

Well, I am here to explain it to you, my friend.

I will share a case with you from one of my clients. Erica needed to improve her LinkedIn profile and learn how to expose her current skills, education, and over 15 years of experience in Marketing. She asks me to help her and we worked on her LinkedIn profile. After that, she got focused on her career strategy by getting interviews quickly in the marketing field of her desires. Within the week, she had an interview with a hiring manager!

But What is a LinkedIn’s Profile Strength? This is LinkedIn’s way of showing you how “robust” or POWERFUL your profile is. The more CONTENT you add, the more the STRENGTH of your profile will increase.

LinkedIn has several ways to assess how well you are using some of the features available to maximize the opportunity to be found online via your LinkedIn Profile. One of these features is ranking your profile and how well you have filled in, or optimized, all of the elements of your LinkedIn Profile.

To view the Profile Strength meter:

  1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage (if on the desktop) or the photo of you on the top LH side of your phone screen.
  2. Select View profile.
  3. Below your top card information, move your cursor over the meter to see which steps you’ve completed. If you’re an ALL STAR – well done!

Step 1: Upload a professional-looking profile picture and background image

Having a quality profile picture is vital on Linkedin and many users who fail to have one end up being ignored. To make sure your profile picture fits properly, the picture should be square (250 x 250 pixels is the perfect dimension). Cropped pictures, dark pictures, or pictures that are blurry or have a busy background should be avoided. In addition, upload a background photo which is 1400 x 425 pixels. Your background photo should showcase the result of your product or service. For example, if you’re a career coach for men over 40, then show a successful and fulfilled man in his forties in a career environment.

Additional elements to add on a background image could be your business logo and website URL if you have any. The more customized your account is and the more visually attractive it is, the more likely you are to stand out from anyone else and is what makes a good Linkedin profile.

Step 2: Write a compelling headline

Your headline that appears below your name and profile picture should describe your main strengths and include keywords you wish to rank for. In my case we have: Graduate to Executive | Career Source| Expert Interview & Resume Writing | HRIS | HR Talent Development Consultant| Branding|Speaker

Step 3: Complete the summary section

When completing your summary, it should underline who you are and what you specialize in and explain your unique selling proposition in detail. The summary section allows you to write up to 2,000 words so make sure you take full advantage of this space to market yourself. In addition, remember to add a call-to-action inviting people to check your website, get in touch by email or endorse your skills.

Step 4: Describe your current position and add at least 2 past positions

By providing details about your current position and at least 2 past positions, will make your profile 12 times more likely to be found. If you don’t have at least 2 past positions, break down your different responsibilities and roles into separate positions.

Step 5: List your education

When filling the “education” section on Linkedin, if you didn’t go through higher education, you can simply list the courses or seminars you attended and any certificates you may have.

Step 6: List your top 10 skills

In terms of skills, Linkedin allows you to list a total of 50 skills. However, listing just 10 skills is enough as most people are unlikely to read all 50. Once you have listed your 10 most important skills for which you want to be known for, you can re-shuffle them in order of importance.

Step 7: Grow your connections

Finally, make sure you have a minimum of 50 connections if you want your profile strength to be “expert” or “all-star”. Start connecting with people by sending personalized connection requests or emailing your database inviting them to join you on Linkedin. Alternatively, you can promote your Linkedin profile by adding the link on your business cards and in your email signature.

Having a big Linkedin network is also what makes a good Linkedin profile.

Extra Step: Customize your Linkedin profile URL

Just like other social networks, your default Linkedin profile link contains random characters which read: https://www.linkedin.com/in/your-name-769a78246. To customize your Linkedin profile URL, go to “edit profile” and click on the settings tab next to your current URL.

Next, click on the edit tab next to your URL.

Is all this necessary?

Let me tell you that IT IS! Users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn than someone with an incomplete profile. This means you will connect with more people and truly experience the benefits of LinkedIn.

Plus, I have found that complete profiles rank higher in LinkedIn’s search results. LinkedIn wants to ensure their search results are accurate and so it makes sense that they promote profiles that are filled out ahead of incomplete profiles.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post on the top 8 ways to improve your Linkedin profile strength! It’s never too late to work on yourself and your future. 

Don’t forget to share this with your friends and comment below if you found this useful or what other steps have you done to improve your LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more go and Book a Free Call Here!

Hi, I am Ruth McCrackin!

 Your Career & Success Strategist Coach with well over 11 years of experience working hand in hand with Human Resources and Business Partners in achieving company goals and mission. It is my wish for high achievers to getting their high-end position in attracting their dreams and passion. Avoid the loop holes of missing great opportunities by applying job search strategies, LinkedIn Branding, storytelling, and much more to up level your career and lifestyle. Start Your Transformation Now

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Attracting Your Dream Career Job Searching Tips LinkedIn profile Networking Promoting yourself

Why you should Improve your LinkedIn Profile Strengths

Why is it important to improve your LinkedIn Profile Strengths?

LinkedIn is the most popular tool for job search, therefore knowing how to use LinkedIn to get a job should be your number 1 priority.

Although most people know how to use LinkedIn, there are certain things that many are not aware of, hurting their chances of finding a new job, and that is how they portray their profile.

You may have been in a position where you are struggling to make connections or to get job interviews, it’s normal if you don’t really know all the features that LinkedIn provides.

I always remark to my clients how crucial and important it’s for them to keep their LinkedIn profile updated and keep improving in their profile strength!

And here I’m going to give you some tips to improve your LinkedIn profile and make it stand out from the others!

Stand Out:

Make sure you fill in all the areas in your LinkedIn profile, starting with your profile picture.

Avoid selfies and keep it professional. Remember, this is the first thing that recruiters will see when they will open your job application.

The About section on LinkedIn should include an elevator pitch, which is a short overview of your background and experience, along with your goals.

You don’t need to be too specific about your goals, however, do mention what you are looking for.

Don’t be afraid to show your personality as well! such as how you are spending your free time, as recruiters will get a better understanding of how could you fit in their team.

The About section allows you to also include links or upload files. This is very useful if you have an online portfolio or work that you would like to showcase, such as presentations, files, pictures, etc.

LinkedIn Headline:

The LinkedIn headline is one of the most, if not THE MOST important part of your LinkedIn profile.

The headline is what follows your name every time you interact on LinkedIn. If you post something on LinkedIn, this action will appear in your network’s feed and the headline will show right under your name.

When recruiters are looking to fill in job openings, they are looking for keywords. That is why it is crucial to use proper keywords when writing your LinkedIn headline

Job history on LinkedIn:

Include the most relevant positions you held and make sure that the information displayed on your LinkedIn profile matches the information that you have included in your resume.

Exclude any positions that are not relevant to the job you are aiming to get and also remove any very short-term positions, as they might get in the way of finding a new job, instead of helping. Recruiters might think that you are a job-hopper and just skip your job application altogether.

Same as with the Above section, LinkedIn allows you to include links or files for any position on your profile. Use this to include any relevant work you have done.

When writing down the description of the job it’s best to structure it with bullet points and ensure you include achievements, not just the job description. 

Other details:

You want to make sure you include the most relevant skills that you have, as this will help recruiters find you as well. If you want to be endorsed for the skills that you have, the best practice is for you to endorse people in your network and hope they will return the favor.

Research on LinkedIn:

Once your profile is set, it’s time to research. Knowing how to use LinkedIn for research can potentially land you a job by using a referral.

Using the search bar, you can conduct different types of research:

  • Target companies
  • HR managers and recruiters
  • Job Title

Network on LinkedIn:

Once the research is done, it is time to increase your network.

Send connect invites to anyone you think will be able to help you in your job search and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be active and interact on LinkedIn even though your network is small.

Share other people’s content, post articles, and engage by liking and commenting on everything you find useful.

Remember!

When using LinkedIn to get a job, it’s important to have a clear vision of the type of companies and roles that you are targeting!

It might be tempting to send as many job applications as possible, but do yourself a favor and don’t do that. Make sure that you meet at least 80% of the job requirements before submitting your application.

And don’t forget to let recruiters know that you’re open! Below About, in your dashboard, the career interests button is off by default.

You want to make sure that you turn this button on, to signal that you are looking for new opportunities and enable recruiters to find you easily.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post on Why you should improve your Linkedin profile strength! It’s never too late to work on yourself and your future. 

Don’t forget to share this with your friends and comment below if you found this useful or what other steps have you done to improve your LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more Book a Free Call Here!

Hi, I am Ruth McCrackin!

 Your Career & Success Strategist Coach with well over 11 years of experience working hand in hand with Human Resources and Business Partners in achieving company goals and mission. It is my wish for high achievers to getting their high-end position in attracting their dreams and passion. Avoid the loop holes of missing great opportunities by applying job search strategies, LinkedIn Branding, storytelling, and much more to up level your career and lifestyle. Start Your Transformation Now!

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Attracting Your Dream Career Blogging Career coaching Job Searching Tips LinkedIn profile Working From Home

Why Having a Career Coach Benefits Your Career?

Career coaching is a resource that can provide significant value to your professional life. Career coaches can help you determine your optimal career trajectory, improve your resume, develop a practical networking strategy, prepare for job interviews, negotiate salary, or even start your own business. Career coaches can help you gain a clearer understanding of your value as a worker.

Learn Critical Skills for Your Work Environment 

  • to be successful in your job-search strategy, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the skills that will best position you for success. employers want to make sure you are qualified for the job by having the appropriate degree, but they also need to know if you have the skill set too, and a career coach has years of experience identifying prospective employees and will prepare you for your next steps in your career

A Career Coach Holds You Accountable 

  • A career coach will give you the tools to refine your career, and hold you accountable to reaching your goals. This will mold you to becoming the person you want for your career. The goal of career coaching is to empower professionals by helping them make informed decisions about their trajectory. 

Improve Your Networking Skills 

  • Your coach will give you the key to assess your current career situation, identify your strengths and weaknesses as well as your differentiating factors, identify potential skills gaps and recommend actions to fill them. A career coach gives you the resources and information you need to build a strong network, and that could be just what you need to land job interviews with your preferred employers, for roles that you want. As a career coach, one of the primary skills for clients to build is their networking skills. Networking skills aren’t just about getting what you want, but they’re about connecting, helping, and building reliable relationships for your career. 

Provide Honest Feedback

  • A career coach will serve as a neutral third party who can provide constructive, independent advice. They identify your strengths and pinpoint any weaknesses. As a result, you can put your best foot forward or bring you down to earth when your goals aren’t realistic. When you meet with a career coach, they will give you objective and unbiased feedback about what you’re doing right and what you should improve in your job search. 

What a Career Coach Does Not Do

  • While these experts can and will provide you with the tools and resources necessary to make you and your job search successful, they’re not there to do the work for you. Career coaches are not magicians; they don’t promise you’ll be hired after an interview, and they don’t guarantee job placement. I can’t stress this point enough The results of your sessions depend on the effort you devote to the process. Your coach may be able to work through resume and interview preparation with you relatively quickly, but working through issues of self-doubt, lack of confidence, and negativity may take significantly longer. Serious change doesn’t happen overnight.

COMMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT CAREER COACHING!!!

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Attracting Your Dream Career Job Searching Tips LinkedIn profile Networking

Tips on How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Choose an appropriate profile picture

– Your profile is the first impression that jobs will have of you, and introduces them to your profile. Your photo should be a nice head shot with limited people or distractions in the background. You want to wear what you would wear to work, it gives the job an idea of how you would represent yourself if they were to do an in face interview. According to LinkedIn, profiles with headshots are 14 times more likely to be viewed than those without a profile picture. We would even suggest updating your background photo as well, your background photo allows you to be more creative and show another aspect of yourself that ties in with your business or career.

List your relevant skills

There are so many opportunities for you too list your skills through your your profile wethers it’s in your header, or summary but LinkedIn has a specific area strictly for listing your skills. You want to promote skills that are relevant to the career that you want. A long list of skills that aren’t really core to who you are and what you do, can start to feel unwieldy. 

Have a summary

So many profiles leave the summary portion blank but the summary portion gives you a chance to tell your story and your background. Your summary is the one place you define yourself in your own words, free of start dates and titles. You highlight your biggest achievements and goals of your career. 

Get active on LinkedIn

It is not Enough to just update your profile you want to show employers that you are networking. When someone looks at your profile, they can see how active you have been on LinkedIn and how often you have posted or shared information.

Complete your LinkedIn profile 100%

LinkedIn has a profile strength meter that will track the strength of your profile for your career The strength of your profile will increase as you add more relevant content to it. The feature recommends which profile sections you could add to in order to improve your profile. When your LinkedIn profile meets their criteria for completeness, your profile is more likely to land higher in search results.


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