LinkedIn profile matters and recruiters usually peep at LinkedIn as they review your CV and job application.
Your online presence is frequently the first thing people see about you in today’s digitally first world, particularly when it comes to your profession. One platform is essential whether you’re looking for a job, expanding your network, or developing thought leadership in your industry: LinkedIn.
With more than 58 million registered businesses and more than 1 billion members worldwide on the platform, LinkedIn has developed into much more than a job search engine. It’s an effective tool for job advancement, professional networking, and personal branding. However, a lot of people continue to ignore the significance of a well optimised LinkedIn profile.
This article will discuss the importance of maintaining a professional LinkedIn presence and how it may revolutionise your career.
1. Digital Resume is your Business Card Online
Consider LinkedIn to be your 24/7, interactive, real-time résumé. Your LinkedIn profile is accessible to everyone, including hiring managers, recruiters, coworkers, peers in the sector, and potential clients, in contrast to a typical CV that is shared selectively.
A polished LinkedIn profile displays:
(i) Your background and achievements
(ii) Your educational history
(iii) Accreditations and recommendations
(iv) Proficiency and suggestions
(v) Links to your work, projects, or portfolios
You may take charge of your professional narrative and improve your discoverability by showcasing your career story in public and ensure you are intentional about what is on your profile since that is your digital business card that potential business partners and recruiters bump into.
2. LinkedIn Is a Top Tool for Recruiters use to DECIDE
More than 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to locate and assess prospects, per the company’s own data. Your next opportunity may come up even if you’re not actively looking for work, but only if your profile is current and presentable.
Recruiters use industry buzzwords, job titles, skills, and keywords while searching LinkedIn. Your chances of being found for relevant positions are increased by a well-written, keyword-rich profile, particularly in highly competitive industries like technology, marketing, finance, health etc.
3. Build Credibility and Trust on LinkedIn
If someone had no online presence, would you still do business with them? Most likely not. Similarly, a badly kept or inadequate LinkedIn page may cause concern for prospective employers or partners.
Having a polished LinkedIn profile demonstrates your commitment to your work. It illustrates:
(i) Paying close attention to details
(ii) Taking pride in your work
(iii) Dedication to your field
(iv) A growth-oriented perspective
Including relevant accomplishments, a well-written narrative, and a quality headshot increases credibility and makes people want to get in touch with you. If you have a digital footprint ensures you build credibility online and potential prospects take you seriously.
4. Expand and Maintain Your Network of Professionals
The world’s biggest professional networking site is LinkedIn. Building real career relationships is the main goal of LinkedIn, as opposed to Facebook or Instagram, which frequently have a social or entertainment focus. Having a robust LinkedIn is key since:
(i) You can get assistance from your network:
(ii) Find employment openings
(iii) Make introductions to hiring managers or businesses.
(iv) Get recommendations – same way you can recommend other professionals
(v) Locate mentees or mentors and build a healthy professional relationship that can actually start on LinkedIn
(vi) Work together on events or initiative like consulting opportunities
More individuals will want to connect with you if your profile is thorough and professional. Additionally, it increases your visibility when you share content, publish articles, or leave comments on postings related to your profession or areas of professional interests.
5. Establish Your Personal Brand
How you are viewed in your field is your personal brand, and LinkedIn is a great place to develop and promote it.
Describe your values on your profile. You can describe your value and also posts are anchored on:
(i) Values that you hold
(ii) Experience that you have
(iii) Your competitive/ unfair advantage i.e. that which distinguishes you and can be a good sale to professionals you are networking with
You may establish yourself as a reliable authority in your field by having a compelling About section, intelligent postings, and a consistent voice. This increases career leverage, authority, and influence over time.
6. Be Consulting, or Speaking Gigs – LinkedIn in Not Just a Profile!
You can use LinkedIn for purposes other than full-time employment. LinkedIn serves as your online shopfront if you are a speaker, consultant, freelancer, or business owner.
You can draw in the correct kind of leads by clearly displaying your services, previous customers, or noteworthy accomplishments.
You may even define what you offer using the “Providing Services” function, which makes it simpler for clients to locate and get in touch with you.
For instance, if your profile clearly explains what you do, a someone searching for a freelance graphic designer or public speaker in your area may find you through a search. Also, a lot of people use their online presence and ‘authority’ to land consulting gigs that even pay them more than their full-time jobs. You need to capitalize on your LinkedIn to land consulting gigs, speaking gigs etc. LinkedIn is not a mere profile for work.
7. Showcase Your Work and Thought Leadership
You may go beyond job titles on LinkedIn. You don’t have to just state what you’ve done; you may use it to demonstrate it.
Here’s how:
(i) Add links, PDFs, articles, and presentations.
(ii) Post articles on LinkedIn or your blog.
(iii) Distribute case studies or portfolio items.
(iv) Make quick videos for industry advice or introductions.
Sharing your knowledge on a regular basis makes you more visible. Over time, additional possibilities come your way as you establish yourself as the “go-to” expert in your sector. Most people have grown credible LinkeIn profiles this way ; they all began by a single post/ article share and then organically grew credibility over time. You too can do it!
8. Receive Social Proof Through Recommendations
Recommendations – written endorsements from supervisors, clients, or coworkers—are one of LinkedIn’s most underutilised features.
These endorsements function as public, real-time references. They offer background information and confirmation, which can help you stand out from other candidates with comparable qualifications.
A recruiter is more inclined to want to talk to you if they notice that others respect and trust your work.
Pro tip: Don’t be scared to ask people you’ve worked closely with for recommendations, and offer to write one in exchange. This is how you can easily grow your recommendations on LinkedIn thus enhancing social proof of your work and qualifications to a new audience.
9. Keep abreast of Developments in your Field or Industry
LinkedIn serves as a resource for industry news, trends, and education in addition to your personal profile. You may converse with experts, join professional groups, and follow businesses.
This aids you:
(i) Keep abreast of any advancements in your profession.
(ii) Discover new tools or best practices.
(iii) Find out about forthcoming webinars, classes, or events.
(iv) Present yourself as an active, lifelong student.
Such ardent reading and engaging with like-minded professionals on areas of mutual interest ensure that you remain visible and current – since you are constantly interacting with industry-relevant material.
10. Future-Proof Your Career
Your LinkedIn profile can act as your professional insurance policy, regardless of whether you’re just starting out, seeking a job move, or have long-term goals in mind.
Having a current and constantly updated, professional profile will help you be ready for:
(i) Unexpected loss of employment
(ii) New positions becoming available
(iii) Strategic changes in one’s career
(iv) International connections and remote work prospects – read more on best remote work you could do here
You never know when a chance will present itself. Having a solid LinkedIn profile guarantees that you are prepared to take on new challenges.
Final Thoughts
A professional LinkedIn profile is now required in a world where your online presence frequently speaks louder than your words.
It serves as a thought leadership platform, reputation management, networking tool, and online resume all in one.
Spend a few hours updating your experiences, polishing your profile, and interacting with people. You’ll be shocked at how fast it begins to pay off in terms of long-term professional progress, visibility, and credibility in addition to employment leads.
See how LinkedIn changes your career by beginning to use it as a strategic tool rather than just a social media page.
Leave a Reply