Polish Your LinkedIn Profile

By Jill Kurtz
Online Career Tips Contributor

LinkedIn is your online professional resume, portfolio, and network all rolled into one. Your work there is never done—your information changes as do the LinkedIn features that you might want to use.

Take time regularly to make sure you are maximizing the professional networking potential of your LinkedIn profile. Research shows that LinkedIn is especially helpful when it comes to landing higher-paying jobs. A well-maintained profile will help you whether you are actively looking for a new job, making the most of the one you have, or just looking to learn about professional possibilities.

Checklist for Your LinkedIn Profile

• Make connections. Always look to grow your LinkedIn connections. Connect with classmates, coworkers, and other members of professional associations and LinkedIn groups that you belong to. Don’t use the standard connection request. Send a personal note that will help the other user recall how he or she knows you.
• Use a professional, current profile picture. Your profile picture should represent your professional face. Save the pictures of your dog or that fun fishing trip for your Facebook page.
• Present a good summary. The summary is a way of selling yourself. Express your interests, voice, and personality. Use the keywords that are most applicable to your skills and interests.
• Include all jobs. List your entire work history on LinkedIn so your profile is as robust as possible. Unlike your printed resume, there is no need to worry about the length of your profile. Make it as complete as possible. You never know what tidbit will intrigue a potential employer.
• Add sections that make sense. Linked In will start you with standard sections on your profile, but there are many specialized sections you can add. Use projects, languages, publications, courses, patents or any other optional sections that help you to highlight your expertise.
• Organize your profile to reflect your priorities. You can present the sections of your LinkedIn profile in any order. If you are currently job seeking, make sure your background is first. If you are looking for a promotion, put your Skills & Expertise up top.

Post activity updates regularly. LinkedIn is the right place to update your network about your professional accomplishments and progress. Every few days, put something in your status to keep it fresh and show you’re active and engaged.