The 7 Most Important Parts of a LinkedIn Profile

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The LinkedIn app has probably sat stale on your phone for years, only to be remembered when an application asks you to share your profile.

Then you log into the long-forgotten account and shake your head at the outdated picture and information.

You just can't help but cringe at the profile photo 😬

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Maybe it's best if you don't send it this time around– or ever. So you skip it.

But then you notice that every single application wants to see this profile…

You realize that this app is more important than you gave it credit for, though you don’t know much about it except that the companies you’re applying to want to use it to learn more about you.

And it's not just a site to send potential employers to (although that's pretty important); it's also a networking tool.

This networking tool can connect you with professionals who hire and mentor you or individuals who can make the proper introductions. We just need to get their attention with a well-optimized LinkedIn profile.

This blog post will go over LinkedIn and how to make your profile share-worthy and take you on the first steps to get your account, not only to say 'hire me' but 'follow me.' 👥

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What is LinkedIn Used For?

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Post by @zainabadamsofficial

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Not too long ago, I felt exactly like you did: so unsure of LinkedIn that it felt easier to avoid it.

However, to develop my career (and generally be a better adult), I decided to peel back the curtain, and here is what I found out.

At its core, LinkedIn considers itself the largest professional network on the internet.

It’s designed for you to connect with colleagues, professionals, and potential employers.

It serves as a virtual space to showcase one's resume, skills, and experiences, simplifying networking, job hunting, and career development.

LinkedIn is a valuable tool for building and maintaining a professional online presence.

It's also a great place to allow your personality to shine and show others the human side of you.

To an extent, you'll be using the platform to answer the silent question we've all had: Who is our (potential) coworker really?

When your coworker says something out of left field 👀

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LinkedIn has many tools to connect with other like-minded professionals in your field and interests.

The main benefits of LinkedIn are:

Your Digital Resume: Consider LinkedIn your digital resume – a dynamic showcase of your career journey.

It goes beyond the traditional paper resume, allowing you to add visual elements, recommendations, and endorsements.

This digital twist is what makes LinkedIn a powerful tool for personal branding.

Potential employers can read about your experiences and see your skills through your profile.

Showcasing Skills: Unlike a regular resume, LinkedIn lets you do more than list your skills; you can flaunt them with recommendations and endorsements.

When your connections vouch for your skills, it's like getting a virtual high-five from the professional community.

The "Skills" section is your chance to create a highlight reel of what you bring to the table, making it easy for potential employers to spot your strengths.

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It's a Job Board: The platform allows users to apply for roles directly through the LinkedIn Apply feature, streamlining the application process and seamlessly connecting job seekers with potential employers. (Source)

Moreover, the ability to save job searches ensures that users stay updated on relevant openings, enhancing the efficiency of their job search.

A Hub for Career-Related Interactions: Imagine LinkedIn as your central hub for all things career-related.

It's not just a place to upload your resume; it's a dynamic space where you can share updates, join groups, and participate in discussions relevant to your field.

Networking on a Global Scale: LinkedIn breaks down geographical barriers, enabling you to connect with professionals worldwide.

It's not just a local job board; it's a global network where you can learn from industry leaders, engage in discussions, and stay updated on trends.

The term "networking" takes center stage here, emphasizing that LinkedIn isn't just about finding a job but also about building lasting professional connections.

At the end of the day, LinkedIn is the place to be the business-casual/professional version of yourself.

The foundation of this is laid by having an optimized LinkedIn profile.

Here are the essential elements to focus on 👇

What Are The Parts of a LinkedIn Profile?

Profile Picture

Your LinkedIn profile photo is the opening act of your story.

It's the first thing people notice, and a well-chosen photo sets the stage for a positive first impression.

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Here are the best practices to showcase your professional side and let your personality shine through the pixels 📸:

Business Casual: Your profile picture is like a visual handshake, so opt for a business casual look that reflects your professional side.
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Face and Chest Showing: Make sure your face and a bit of your chest are in the frame; it helps people feel like they're connecting with the real you.
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Neutral Background: Keep the background neutral – think blurred, monochrome, or anything that doesn't distract from your awesome self.

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Background Photo

Your background photo or banner is your canvas for personal branding.

Use visuals that align with your professional identity, creating a cohesive and visually appealing backdrop.

It's an opportunity to convey your essence and make your profile uniquely yours.

So, choose wisely, and let your visuals speak volumes about who you are professionally.

Here are some best practices :

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Industry or Value: Use your background photo to showcase your industry or the value you bring. It's like a sneak peek into your professional world.
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Bottom Left Corner: Ensure there's nothing crucial at the bottom left corner – that's where some profile details overlap, and you don't want anything important getting lost.
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Limit Words: Keep it concise or go wordless. Too many words can be distracting, so let the visuals do the talking.
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No Big Logo: If you have a logo, keep it small and muted – the focus is on you, not the brand.
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Include Yourself Sparingly: Keep yourself out of the banner unless it emphasizes your value (e.g., speaking in front of a crowd). Let the photo complement your story.

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Remember Linkedin is a place to be business casual, so you can be more casual at any point in your profile. Just be mindful! 🧠

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Tip💡: Once uploaded, check your background image on all mobile devices to ensure it is responsive. Make any necessary adjustments

Headline

Your headline is more than just a title – it's a keyword playground.

Sprinkle relevant keywords related to your industry, skills, and job aspirations.

When potential employers or clients are searching, these keywords increase your chances of showing up in their results.

To craft a compelling LinkedIn headline to attract employers and potential clients, you want to include these parts:

(Target) Job Title: Start with your current or target job title to give a snapshot of your professional identity.
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Skills/Specialization/Certification: Highlight key skills, areas of specialization, or certifications that set you apart.
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Passions or Measurable Result: Add a touch of personality or a measurable result that showcases your unique value proposition.

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Summary Section

The summary or about section of your LinkedIn profile is equivalent to the bio of most social media platforms, except you have a generous 2600-character limit here.

Meaning you have the wiggle room to create a captivating story that introduces you to the professional world.

Two seasoned LinkedIn experts, Cindy Makita-Dodd and Jeff Su, offer distinct yet valuable approaches to crafting a compelling summary that grabs attention and engages your audience.

Let's break it down.

Cindy Makita-Dodd's Approach:

Hook Your Reader:
Capture attention with the first two lines, enticing readers to click "See more" for a deeper dive into your professional journey.
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Tell Your Story:
Chronologically narrate your career journey, giving readers a glimpse into the path that has shaped your professional identity.
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Sell Yourself:
Showcase your accomplishments with metrics, offering a vivid portrayal of your professional impact and contributions.
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CTA (Call to Action):
Conclude with a strong call to action, guiding readers on the next steps, whether it's connecting with you or exploring your work.

Jeff Su's Approach:

Intro:
Clearly state your current role and duration, incorporating a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) with a metric or social proof.
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Bullet Points:
Provide specific examples that validate the claims made in the introduction, showcasing your skills and achievements.
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End:
• Optionally, share interests, such as food, travel, sports, or learning, adding a personal touch to your professional story.
• Mention the type of work that motivates you.
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CTA (Call to Action):
Conclude with a compelling call to action, guiding readers on their next steps, whether it's connecting or exploring shared interests.

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Austin's breakdown with a little ZAO razzle dazzle ✨

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Jeff's Tip💡: A LinkedIn summary that ranges between 880 and 1120 characters does best.

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Both approaches underscore the importance of using a conversational tone, keeping it engaging, and sprinkling keywords relevant to your desired positions throughout the summary to optimize for LinkedIn's search engine functionality.

Choose the approach that resonates most with your style, and let your summary be a conversation starter in the professional realm.

Work Experience

Your experience section is your professional highlight reel.

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Use bullet points for a clean and scannable presentation, emphasizing key achievements, measurable results, and showcasing your impact within specific timeframes.

It's like giving readers a quick and compelling snapshot of your journey, making it easy for them to connect the dots between your skills and contributions.

How to structure your work experience and areas of expertise:

Job Title: Your job title is like the headline for each chapter in your professional story – make it engaging and reflective of your role.
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1-3 Line Job Description: Capture attention with a brief job description that leaves them curious, prompting them to click "See more" for the full scoop.
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Highlights: Highlight 3-5 achievements you were able to accomplish in this role in bullet point format.

Teal HQ has a great formula for these bullet points: Success Verb + Noun + Metric + [Strategy Optional] + Outcome = 1 bulleted achievement

Try to keep your achievements time-bound. Example below ⬇️

Skills: List soft and technical skills or expertise areas related to the role. These keywords help you stand out in searches.

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Many people will only see the first couple of lines of each work experience. Your goal is to get them to click "see more." 🔍

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Pro Tip 💡: Keep your LinkedIn experience distinct from your resume – a little variation keeps things interesting for your audience.

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Vanity URL

When you set up your LinkedIn account, it hands you a default URL – functional but not exactly catchy. Let's give it a makeover that reflects the care you put into the details.

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Default link

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How to Spruce It Up:

Goal: Your Name
Aim for a URL that's as close to just your name as possible. Let's say your name is Ashleigh Perez – your ideal vanity URL could be "ashleighperez"
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Remove the Numbers:
Your default URL has random numbers. Kick them to the curb. We want clean and simple.
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Hyphen Removal:
If possible, get rid of the hyphens too. We're aiming for seamless elegance
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Variations for Uniqueness:
If someone else has already claimed your ideal URL, don't worry. Here are some variations to try:
• ashleigh-perez
• ashleighperez-
• -ashleighperez
• .ashleighperez
• ashleigh.perez
• ashleighperez.
• aperez
• ashleighp

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Edited link

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Pro Tips 💡:

Move Period/Hyphen If Needed: Adjust the period or hyphen to find an available variation.
Initials as Last Resort: If all else fails, consider using your initials.

Websites

In this day and age, having a brand isn't just for businesses; it's for individuals too. We call it a personal brand, which matters more than you think.

Your personal brand is your online reputation, and every link you share contributes to it. It's not just for professionals; it's a reflection of who you are – your skills, interests, and passions.

When you add a link under LinkedIn's Website(s) tab, ensure that it's a link you are comfortable with having conversations about by the water cooler.

Under this tab, you can add these types of links:

Website/Blog
Podcast
Newsletter
Portfolio
Linktree
YouTube
Social media platforms
Online Courses
Digital Products

If you don't have any of these links yet, no worries; you can skip this. However, take a moment to ponder what could enhance your personal brand.

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BTW 🙋🏾‍♀️: It doesn't have to align with your profession; it just needs to showcase a unique facet of you. Your link can lead to a hobby site, revealing another layer of your skills.

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For example, Ashleigh has a blog; without saying it, she shows she knows SEO, social media marketing, content creation, content writing, website building, etc.

How do I find the right keywords for my LinkedIn Profile?

Okay, so you may have noticed that keywords are crucial when building your profile.

That's because LinkedIn is a search engine.

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When people search for specific phrases or keywords, a search engine provides search results with those exact phrases because they look like they might be the answer to the problem.

So when LinkedIn users search for skills or roles they need, your profile stands out because you've used the words they're likely using.

Let's break down Jeff Su's tip for getting the right keywords:

Jeff Su's Action Plan:

Job Descriptions Insight:
Collect about 20 job descriptions for roles you aspire to. Ensure they align with your career goals.
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Word Cloud Generator:
Use a word cloud generator with those job descriptions. It sifts through them, picking out the most important words.
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Top 5-7 Keywords:
Identify the top 5-7 words that pop up most frequently. These are your target keywords, the ones that matter the most.
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Strategic Placement:
Integrate these keywords strategically across your profile – in your headline, summary, and experience sections.

(Re)Sources

Get it from the source!

Here are all of the videos I watched that helped me go from avoiding LinkedIn to creating this guide for you.

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Hint: If you're seeing the same faces repeatedly, they probably deserve a follow! 🤳

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Conclusion

In crafting your stellar LinkedIn profile, we've navigated through the essentials– now, the real magic begins.

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Implementing these best practices isn't just a checklist; it's your recipe for optimal results.

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake, the first impression that could open doors to new opportunities.

So, go ahead, polish that profile picture, weave a captivating summary, and let your profile shine with the authenticity that makes you uniquely you.

For more insights, tips, and updates on enhancing your professional presence, subscribe to our blog – your go-to source for all things career growth. 💼📈

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▶️ Introduction

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🫱🏿‍🫲🏻 What is LinkedIn Used For?

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🤔 What Are The Parts of a LinkedIn Profile?

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🤳 Profile Picture

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🌅 Background Photo

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📰 Headline