As professionals lean more and more on platforms like LinkedIn in lieu of CV’s and resumés, we’re expecting the same level of proficiency as with the “old ways” of doing things.

LinkedIn gives us the option to search out companies, and people within those companies – and the thing we see first is their online profile.

This, my friends, is today’s version of a first impression.

Of course, we all want to make a good first impression, especially in our professional capacity , as this could be the difference between successfully or unsuccessfully landing that new client or your next dream job.

Don’t panic though, it’s not too late to get up to speed – do these 5 things to professionalize your profile today.

1. Make sure you have a profile photo (and make sure it’s well-lit and portrays you in a professional light). Forego photos of you in hats and sunglasses, and leave out other people and pets.
2. Choose a suitable banner image, one that represents your industry perhaps. Top tip: Google search for an image, type in, for example, “financial services banner” and click the “images” tab inside the Google page. Click the “Tools” button and select “size” -> Large. Click on the image you like and then right click on it and choose “open image in new tab” then right click that image and save to your desktop and upload it to your banner image.
3. Write a compelling headline. This is your “pick-up line” and is your singular opportunity to let prospects know what you’re all about.
4. Complete the summary section to provide a bit more context to yourself and your current professional purpose within your organisation.
5. Populate your current and past work experience and list your roles and responsibilities as well as any notable achievements you had in those roles.

Use this as a guide to getting started with using LinkedIn for business. There are certainly many benefits and it can absolutely do no harm. There are no strictly wrong or right ways of doing it, as long as you’re doing it.

As a final tip, if you’re not already doing so, start interacting with other people’s content. Leave comments and ask questions. This will start making people aware that you exist.

In LinkedIn 101 – Part 2 – I’ll discuss becoming involved in engaging with, and creating your own content.

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