Creating an Optimized LinkedIn in 5 Steps
By Jody Bell
Did you know that “job seekers with a comprehensive LinkedIn profile have a 71% higher change of getting a job interview”?
LinkedIn, the social media platform for professionals, has revolutionized the way we connect and engage in the business world. For young professionals, a well-optimized LinkedIn page can be the key to expanding their network, opening doors to exciting opportunities, and standing out from the crowd.
Our generation may be well versed in crafting an aesthetic Instagram profile and the ins-and-outs of Snapchat etiquette, but when it comes to LinkedIn, the approach needs to be entirely different.
Without further ado, here is a crash course on hot to set up and optimize your LinkedIn page.
Step 1: The Basics
Once you have gone ahead and begun to set up your LinkedIn, you’ll get a bunch of prompts asking questions about your education, work experience, and skills. There isn’t much artistry in this part of the process, but if you would like to really go above and beyond you could do some research into the skills of professionals in your industry of interest, and use key words in your basic account set up.
Step 2: Captivating Your Audience with a Killer Headline
Let's face it, nobody wants to read a LinkedIn headline that screams "boring professional."
This headline is crucial on LinkedIn – it is just as visible as your name and sits directly next on the top of your profile. For most people, it is their job title – but for students that doesn’t always make sense. Instead, of just writing “Student at ___,” or “Aspiring Data Analyst” take a leap into the creative zone and let your personality shine through. For instance, you can replace the standard "Marketing Specialist" with "Digital Storyteller." Remember, you want to pique curiosity and make people think, "Hey, this person seems fun!" while also coming off as professional and valuable in the workplace.
Step 3: The Profile Picture Paradox
Ah, the dreaded profile picture!
It's a paradox: you want to look professional, but not like a stone cold killer void of personality. In other words, we’ve all seen those pictures of someone staring directly at the camera with absolutely no hint of a smile while wearing a suit, and we should attempt to avoid that. At the same time, your picture shouldn’t necessarily be the same cute selfie that is on your Instagram. You should aim for somewhere in the middle. The most common approach is a headshot in professional attire with a grin on their faces. For now, you don’t need these to be professionally taken, just a clean background, business professional clothing, and a big smile works!
Another approach that is sometimes taken is a more candid picture. For example, say you’re interested in engineering -- a picture of you tinkering with some project may be a great option! Just make sure you are clearly recognizable in the image.
Step 4: The Summary Showstopper
Your summary, or bio, is crucial – it is one of the first things someone will see when they click on your profile.
Generally, you want to craft a brief but engaging paragraph or two about who you are (ie passions, skills, notable past project(s), what you’re interested in, and what your professional goals are. Some general principles to follow include:
Highlight Your Passion: Show your enthusiasm for your field by expressing your genuine love for what you do. For instance, a coffee marketing professional might say, "Turning caffeine into compelling campaigns and making marketers everywhere proud."
Showcase Your Quirky Side: Share a unique personal detail that sets you apart from the crowd. Maybe you're a salsa dancing enthusiast or a collector of vintage comic books. This adds a touch of personality and makes you more memorable.
Share Your Impact: Mention some notable achievements or projects you've worked on (bonus points if you can incorporate data.)
Show Your Growth Mindset: Express your willingness to learn and grow professionally. You can say something like, "Constantly evolving and embracing new challenges."
Keep it Concise: While you want to be engaging and funny, remember to keep your bio concise. Aim for a few sentences that capture your essence without overwhelming the reader.
Be Authentic: Arguably the most important part of this bio is that it is yours. Don’t get excessive feedback or allow others to craft it for you, this bio truly needs to be a reflection of who you are personally and professionally.
Despite the fact that this is about you, this could be a pretty hard process of the LinkedIn profile creation process. You need to give enough information to sound ambitious and impressive, enough personality to let your authenticity shine through, and you want to be concise. You may find it helpful to approach this through the lens of storytelling or the framework for an elevator pitch. Focus on engagement and really making your background sound like a journey to where you are now, and where you hope to go next.
Step 5: The Power of a Customized Connection
Now that your profile is ready to rock, it's time to connect with the LinkedIn universe.
Start with making a list of people are you closest to – this can include family, friends, coworkers, or teachers/professors. These are people that should know you by name and will absolutely accept your request. For each of these connections, practice customizing your outreach. When you click to connect, LinkedIn will ask if you would like to add a personalized message, click yes (always), and mention that you just got a LinkedIn and you’re hoping to connect.
And just like that…you have a LinkedIn! Remember to continuously update your information, and most importantly, stay active. Like, comment, and repost content, as this will show up as activity on your page, along with general posts about your achievements.
Lastly, don’t forget this is still the internet. If you’re under the age of 18 speak with your parents about creating a profile and keep them in the loop on your activities.
If you have any questions regarding LinkedIn or any of topic related to Girls With Impact, business, or anything even remotely similar, feel free to reach out to me at jody.bell@girlswithimpact.com.
Jody Bell, 21 is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate from Greenwich High School. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, business and leadership program for girls 14-24, turning them into tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.