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With over 40 million professionals using LinkedIn’s search tools every week, trying to stand out in the crowd can be daunting. Luckily, there are some easy things you can do today to help optimize your profile to show up in more searches and engage your audience once they find you.
Customize Your Headline
This foundational element of your profile is key. It is not only highly visible, but it could also be the only chance you have to communicate value. Plus, the keywords in your headline can have a significant impact on LinkedIn's search algorithm, so include keywords that define your role and industry so you appear in relevant searches.
Because most people stick to the standard “Title at Company Name” headline that is listed automatically, leveraging all 120 characters can help you stand out.
Upload a Photo with Intention
Your LinkedIn photo is often the only chance you have to make a first impression, so it should reflect the way you would look if you walked into an interview or client’s office. If you don’t already have a professional headshot, avoid the urge to just upload any photo of you in a car, at a wedding, or a selfie. This is an opportunity to take a photo intentionally for LinkedIn.
According to studies, photos that are a close-up of your (smiling) face with a neutral background gain the best reactions from audiences.
Click here for more details on how to take a LinkedIn profile photo at home.
Customize Your Background Image
Uploading a custom background image is an easy way to immediately differentiate your profile from other candidates, especially if they just have the standard LinkedIn blue. Cityscapes, solid colors that reflect your brand, industry-specific graphics, or abstract images and textures can all elevate the visual impact of your profile.
For more ideas, check out our suggestion in this recent Forbes article.
Elevate Your Profile with Media
Adding media such as website links, videos, and photos to your “About” and “Experience” sections adds context to your work and visual interest to your profile. This not only elevates the look of your profile, but it helps to engage your audience and invites them to learn more about you and the companies you’ve worked for.
Leverage Keywords
Optimize your “Experience” and “About” sections by including details about your work, skills, and accomplishments for roles dating back 15 years or less. List common titles and add specific keywords and terms you’d like to be associated with to appear in as many relevant searches as possible.
Take Advantage of the "Recommendations" Section
Credibility is important to your professional brand and LinkedIn makes it easy to showcase 3rd-party recommendations on your profile.
The good news is that this is an often-overlooked section on many profiles, so adding three to five recommendations will elevate the professionalism of your profile and can improve your search ranking. Reach out to coworkers, clients, vendors, or previous employers for recommendations of your work.
For details on requesting a recommendation, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/90
Ready to improve your visibility on Linked? Take the time to apply these tips to your LinkedIn profile to stand out, get noticed, and engage employers and recruiters.