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This article has been written with the aim of helping you improve your LinkedIn profile, and as a consequence, your LinkedIn marketability.
Developing your pitch
Consider adding a photograph. This helps people to know who you are and builds credibility.
Develop a strategy. Before you even start the actual writing process, decide on your strategy. Who you are targeting? Jobs and employers or clients and business? Which jobs/employers/clients? The response to this question should affect the shape and nature of your profile.
Think about what you are offering. This may not seem relevant, but it is. Some people have many strings to their bow. This is no bad thing, but just remember that employers may not be looking for jacks of all trades, and you may be better off being selective.
Think about the kind of things your target (be it employers or clients) are looking for. Write with this target in mind.
Filling in the profile or summary
Write your profile and/or summary. As this is free-form text, make sure that your profile flows well, is engaging, and is relevant to your target. To this end, it also helps that you keep it logical, engaging and concise. There is no value in trying to over complicate things with convoluted terminology, rare acronyms and technical speak. Consider adding videos, images and documents to supplement your summary.
Consider the inclusion of highlights. You can use the profile section to highlight a few selected achievements. There are no rights and wrongs in this; it is something for you to consider using. At the same time, if you do include a few highlighted achievements in your profile section, there is no value in repeating them in your work section. In fact, repetition can be counter-productive.
Creating the work experience section
Fill out the section related to work experience. LinkedIn prompts you to enter your job roles, companies and dates. Be selective and choose the most recent and most valuable roles. Additionally, rather than just listing duties, you are better off being more proactive and including impressive achievements.
Include skills. Avoid simply repeating skills already mentioned. Instead, introduce some new, relevant skills and competencies, if possible.
Adding personal details
Consider adding personal details. LinkedIn prompts for date of birth and marital status. Bear in mind that if your profile is public, which means that your details are potentially open to many people. Do you want this level of personal detail public or not?
Consider adding a means of contacting you. Just beware if your profile is public.
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