Despite being one of the most globally popular social media platforms, a lot of people still have no idea what LinkedIn is and how using this tool can help when exploring career options or simply searching for jobs. According to Forbes, LinkedIn is the largest professional <\/a>network in the world\u2014the site was specifically designed to strengthen connections between industry professionals. Because everyone and their grandmother seem to have a LinkedIn profile these days, it is important for both active job-seekers and those not currently seeking employment to be aware of the power and opportunities LinkedIn can offer. Here are some compelling reasons why you should have a LinkedIn profile:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gone are the days of want-ads full of great jobs that all candidates apply for on an equal footing. Nowadays, many recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn to search for candidates with skills and experiences that match their opening. Employers also check out a candidate\u2019s online presences as a routine part of the hiring process. Recruiters may see applicants who aren\u2019t on LinkedIn or who don\u2019t update and maintain their profiles as not taking their career or professional image seriously. Making your LinkedIn profile complete and current is a must to project a proactive image to employers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Networking with those in your industry and building strong connections is crucial to success. LinkedIn allows you to search and join groups that connect people with common professional interests. Here you can gain information, learn about job opportunities, and even participate in all kinds of discussions. LinkedIn also lets you stay in contact with people you meet at events or conferences and continue your correspondence.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n For all of these reasons and more, LinkedIn is a professional networking platform you NEED to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be wondering how a LinkedIn profile is different from the traditional resume<\/a> you are used to. Because they both show the background and qualifications of the same candidate, information about previous employment and experiences should be consistent between the two. However, there are some differences between LinkedIn profiles and resumes that you should keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn profiles and formal resumes, although sharing some similarities, are not created for the same purpose. While you might create multiple resumes for different job positions and customize the information included for each specific position, you only have one LinkedIn profile. Therefore, your LinkedIn profile should be able to reach and speak to a broader audience than your resume.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A formal resume should be brief and the information included should be condensed. Meanwhile, LinkedIn allows you to include up to 2,000 characters for both the Summary and Experience sections. Thus, you can think of it as a long-form resume that gives you more space to illustrate using examples or anecdotes. However, you should keep in mind that no one will want to read a profile summary that is too long and drawn out.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Your LinkedIn profile is the \u201cstorefront\u201d of your brand and consists of three main sections: Profile Headline, Profile Summary, and Work Experience. <\/strong>Each section contains different content and requires a different approach to avoid repeating the same information in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The headline is the most visible section of your LinkedIn profile; it\u2019s also the key to creating a positive first impression and explaining your background. Think of the headline as a slogan for managing your personal brand. This section allows you to use up to 120 characters to describe yourself, so be specific and include specialized skills, qualifications, and experiences. Use strategic keywords to increase your profile hits in Google and LinkedIn searches. Using only overly broad terms such as \u201cmarketing,\u201d \u201caccounting\u201d and \u201crecruiting\u201d should be avoided because these terms cannot tell your audiences exactly what you do. Precise titles like \u201cOnline Marketing Manager\u201d or \u201cFund Accounting Manager\u201d both look more professional and will better target your headline to specific viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n The Summary is the most essential section of your profile, and it\u2019s also one of the first things people see when they check out your profile. The LinkedIn Summary provides recruiters an opportunity to find out who you are, what you\u2019re good at, and what you care about. It sums up your job qualifications, professional accomplishments, employment history, and details about your personality and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your Profile Summary with a strong and powerful opening statement. LinkedIn shows only the first three lines of the Profile Summary before readers must click \u201cSee More\u201d to check out the whole profile. Thus you have around 200-250 characters (or about 25-42 words) to engage your viewer.<\/p> The summary section must also include keywords that are relevant to your industry or profession. Make sure to use targeted and accurate keywords to increase the searchability of your profile.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Include not only your current job title and the company you are working for, but also show the progression of your career. Recruiters and prospective employers want to see why you moved from one company to another, and will want to view your career plan so that they can assess whether you will be a good fit for their company.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Include one of your greatest accomplishments in the Summary section. Although details about this accomplishment should appear in your Experience section, place your greatest and most relevant accomplishment in the summary section to grab your reader\u2019s interest<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Because we live in an era where a lot of our lives are recorded and posted online, you can use this to your advantage by posting clickable samples of your work in the form of videos, images, or audio files, or as a URL link. If you are a content creator, marketer, or any creative field, consider attaching a brief portfolio of your work here. Or perhaps there is video footage of you giving a talk at a conference. This kind of media allows the viewer to get to know you and your skills and achievements that much faster.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you are currently a job-seeker, this is one of the most important sections of your LinkedIn profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn gives you up to 2,000 characters to describe each job position. Start this section with a summary or an overview of what your job entails using 2-3 sentences, and make sure to include a lot of details about your last 3-5 positions and focus on achievements and responsibilities. Keywords are important here because you want recruiters and hiring managers to be able to find you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Recruiters want to see candidates who can achieve solid results. When writing this section of your LinkedIn profile, describe your achievements using quantifiable information, such as numbers and facts, instead of listing only general job responsibilities. For example: “Increased sales revenue by 3.4% between 2006 and 2008 fiscal years.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A good way to stay active on LinkedIn is to frequently update your status. Sharing interesting links and articles can stimulate conversation and interaction between you and your connections. When your connections like, share, or comment on your posts, their connections can also see your posts in their feeds, which increases the chances of industry professionals getting to know more about you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Recruiters and hiring managers get first impressions of candidates by checking out their LinkedIn profile, and the LinkedIn profile is a reflection of a candidates\u2019 personality. Writing mistakes can signal to a hiring manager that you are careless, and even the smallest typos or spelling errors on your profile can easily undermine your chances of getting that job that perfectly fits you.<\/p> Therefore, it is important that you proofread all your LinkedIn profile sections before making it public. Luckily, Wordvice\u2019s Premium Editing Service is designed specifically for job applicants who want their Linkedin profiles to look more professional. Our editors not only proofread for grammar, spelling, mechanics, and natural flow of communication, but also provide substantive comments about organization, content, transitions, and other language issues. Check out our Essay Editing Services<\/a> and Resume Editing Services <\/a>tp learn more about how you can prepare your application documents for submission. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n However you decide to \u201cbrand\u201d yourself in your profile, if you apply the tips discussed in this article, you will find that Linked in is a flexible tool that can powerfully enhance your job prospects. Use your LinkedIn profile wisely and you will find yourself more connected and engaged with the right people to take you where you want to go in your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After landing that sweet job position with your LinkedIn profile, be sure to get English editing<\/a> for any of your crucial business documents before sending them to colleagues or clients. See our list of business editing and writer editing services below.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe hiring process has changed dramatically<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
LinkedIn offers a convenient platform for building a professional network<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is the difference between a LinkedIn Profile and a Resume?<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Main Sections of a LinkedIn Profile<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Write the \u201cProfile Headline?\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tips for Writing the \u201cProfile Summary\u201d Section<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Create a powerful opening statement and optimize your keywords.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Include your career trajectory.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Include your most important accomplishment.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Attach media and links that highlight your work (if applicable).<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tips for Writing Your LinkedIn \u201cExperience\u201d Section<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Add descriptions for each item in your Work Experience section.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Include quantifiable information.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Other Useful Tips to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep your page active and update it often.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Proofread your profile.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wordvice Business & Writer Editing Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Wordvice Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n