Blog: Updating Your LinkedIn Profile

How often do you update your LinkedIn profile?

Every month? every year? maybe just when you get a new role? er…never?

So, why should you bother and give your profile some attention?

LinkedIn is the online Social platform that will give you a bit more than likes, retweets, dance routines or cats; it can ultimately play a huge part in helping you secure your dream job.

LinkedIn is a portal where head-hunters and hiring managers will come to first view your profile and achievements and if there isn’t much worth reading, you’ll probably get passed over pretty quickly.

This could mean the difference in getting contacted about your dream role or not.

It’s not just for active job seekers, it’s for passive jobseekers too, which is pretty much everyone else (unless you are in some kind of job nirvana and are adamant that nothing could ever better it).

The more active you are and more updated and polished your profile is, the more likely you are to be found by the people that are the gateway to your perfect job.

So, in light of these revelations, we thought we’d share a few tips on the area’s of your Linkedin profile worth your attention.

• The obvious bits; have a picture – ideally a relatively professional looking one with you in the frame – and have a clear headline summary of your role / what you do (leaving out references to being a ninja or Rockstar unless you actually are a ninja or a Rockstar) – basic stuff but important nonetheless
• Use the ‘about’ section to write yourself an attention-grabbing summary. This should include a bit about what you do, areas of expertise and allow some of your personality to come through too
• Add in your key achievements, add links to projects – use your profile as a personal showreel or all the great work you’ve done.
• Include 8-10 bullet points with a brief summary of each of your more recent roles. Keep these points succinct but engaging – and use them to show your input and achievements within the role
• Detail your progression – if you’ve been promoted then include it
• Add skills – what do you specialise in and want to be contacted about? These act like keywords when head-hunters are searching for people who have certain experience or attributes
• Get recommended regularly – although this section sits towards the bottom of the profile it can still be an influencing factor when hiring managers decide who to bring forward to interview (or not)…contact old bosses, co-workers and collaborators and ask for a few lines and then reciprocate if appropriate