How to guide: Create a strong LinkedIn profile

Before getting started, it’s a good idea to brainstorm about what you want to be known for and who you want to influence on LinkedIn? Take time to answer those questions for yourself. The first section on your LinkedIn profile is what people see, make sure it represents you and your direction.

Use a background image that is representative of your brand and your values. Unsplash.com is a free tool where you can search and download different background images.

Take some time to think about how you want to come across. Have some fun with it and help people get to know what you do. A more creative approach might help you stand out more as well.

For example: Accountant- So much more than a number cruncher-

Use on your desktop computer, as there is more functionality. It’s recommended to open your options so that recruiters know you’re looking for a job. Increasingly recruiters use LinkedIn to search for candidates, it could be that you find out about your next job from LinkedIn.

Under privacy, you can control who sees your email address. It’s a good idea to enter your personal and work email address, for when you leave an organisation there is a way for potential recruiters to contact you.

It’s best to be concise in this section. Readers will see the first three lines only, so ensure those sentences are meaningful about your values and what you want to be known for.

In the ‘About’ section, add links and pdf to promote you, your business, or work/partnership that you have been apart of. Consider the best way to write to influence and impress your intended audience.

For example, Karen Hollenbach is a career expert and founder of a company that trains individuals and companies in how to use LinkedIn effectively. Karen talks about her experience in corporate as a marketer to influence and recruit companies for LinkedIn coaching. She showcases this experience to build trust and that she understands their world, having being a corporate marketer in a previous role.

Karen mentions about her Wesley college teaching role because it helps tell the story of how she has transitioned her career. Again, she wants to build trust and prove to people taking redundancies that she knows what they are going through.

The best way is to succinctly tell the story. If you have had time out of the work force from raising kids or you have taken time to go travelling or even a career break, you can explain this in your profile.

You can list up to fifty skills, so try to list at least 8 skills. And don’t be afraid to ask people to endorse you for your skills or ask for recommendations to show the breath of work you have been involved in.

It’s recommended to show your 2nd languages, this shows additional skills which is attractive to a future employer. It’s also a good idea to include your side hustles – this is interesting for a future employer to know what you interests are outside of work, helping them to get to know you.

Ask people for a coffee, if there is a mutual interest between the two of you. It’s a great way to connect and find out about new opportunities. Be active on LinkedIn in sharing interesting content pieces and your opinions on issues.

If you found this article interesting, and would like more guidance and training on how to craft a strong LinkedIn profile, you can contact Karen Hollenbach, founder of Think Bespoke for a one to one virtual training.

View Think Bepsoke’s website or you contact Karen on LinkedIn or via phone call on +613 8374 7666 .