How to Avoid Six Common LinkedIn Profile Mistakes
A job seeker needs to have a strong LinkedIn profile as well as a killer resume. Companies and recruiters rely on LinkedIn to source candidates and sometimes use it to weed people out of the process.
As I coach and advise candidates on careers and job search, I encounter some common mistakes among LinkedIn profiles.
Here are the top six ways to avoid common mistakes on your LinkedIn profile:
#1. Take advantage of the headline and About sections
LinkedIn provides a headline below your name. This is a 220-character tag line that characterizes you as a candidate. The default wording that LinkedIn inserts is “Title” at “Company”, for example, “Intern at Google.” This area is where you want to put your concise value proposition to your next employer. You want something that truly conveys your superpower. For example, “Leveraging data science and consumer insights to create highly-effective digital marketing campaigns.”
The About section in LinkedIn offers up to 2,000 characters to expand on that. Many people use this section to recap their job history. Instead, use About to provide a high-level overview of how you can add value to an employer’s business. It’s OK if this is a bit conversational.
#2. List accomplishments and achievements instead of roles and responsibilities
Many people make their LinkedIn profile and resume read like a laundry list of roles and responsibilities. They include phrases like “Prepared the monthly TPS report” or “Responsible for reviewing the weekly customer activity logs.” These duties don’t capture the value the person has to the firm and its clients. Be as quantitative as possible in your descriptions. For example, “Increased sales by 20% annually over three years.”
#3. Provide details
Don’t be lazy about populating the details of your experience when creating your LinkedIn profile. Company, title, and dates of service fall short of what you need to entice the reader. That’s why creating a solid resume is the first step before moving on to revising your LinkedIn profile.
#4. Post a flattering photo
Get a good photo to use on LinkedIn. Smile, and use a shot that inspires confidence. You don’t need to invest in a costly headshot since today’s phones offer terrific image quality. And don’t use that proof of your graduation photo!
#5. Loosen up on privacy settings
You want to be found on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has several privacy settings that should be reviewed and adjusted. While it is responsible to be concerned about privacy, you won’t be easily found if your settings are too restrictive. Some common mistakes are not ensuring that your last name, photo, and email are displayed to the LinkedIn community. You want companies and recruiters to reach you easily!
#6. Take advantage of a custom LinkedIn URL
LinkedIn allows you to set a custom URL or web link to your profile. If you have a common name (e.g., John Smith), it’s going to be hard for people to search for your profile. Why not change your default URL from https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-smith-183475192/ to https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmichaelsmith, for example? Use this custom URL on your resume and in your email signature. Likely, the custom URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsmith is taken. So, you’re going to have to be creative while trying to keep your custom URL as short as possible. See this link for how to do this.
With a little attention, you can easily avoid these common mistakes and build a compelling LinkedIn profile. Need help with your LinkedIn profile, resume, or other job search issues? I’m here to help!
I offer individualized career coaching and advising (remote and in-person) along with text, email, and phone support to help job seekers succeed. I've hired more than 100 people and interviewed over 500 candidates. I've worked at large global companies like Morgan Stanley and a company that is now part of Bank of America Private Bank and founded/worked at six startups. I welcome you to contact me and join my mailing list and receive my free guide, "Top 5 Young Adult Job Search Myths."