How do I get my LinkedIn profile to All-Star level?
You probably know by now that 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source candidates and they will find a competitive selection of candidates within the All-Star category without having to venture into Expert or Advanced profiles. It is vital that you’re profile is complete so that it reaches All-Star level.
According to LinkedIn, users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn. This means you are more likely to receive opportunities including job offers, new clients, new markets and new connections
When was the last time you checked the level of your LinkedIn Profile? See my profile below and locate the blue star.
All-Star
Expert
Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
What do you need to do to reach All-Star?
There are 7 areas you need to look at for your profile to be considered complete:
1. Profile Picture
2. Headline
3. Skills & Experience
4. Summary
5. Employment History
6. Education
7 Connections
Each section must be completed and in a way that will impact!
One - Profile Picture
Did you know that statistics show that profiles with a picture are 14 times more likely to be viewed and 7 times more likely to be found in searches. These pictures must be current and showing you in a relaxed, inviting, professional way. This means no Facebook or Instagram weekend fun pics with family and pets or group shots and especially no selfies.
The exception to this is, if you have an ice-cream shop, then a photo of you holding an ice-cream may be what makes your business inviting. Just make sure it matches your profile headline so that your audience understands the link.
Always remember that LinkedIn is a professional networking site for business, so the photo you use should reflect a professional business image.
Two - Headline
Your headline limit is 120 characters. You should use all of it. Your title and company name is not nearly enough. Make the most of this space and showcase yourself as an expert in your field. It is a short introduction, so use brief, informative and compelling keywords that will help people find you and will lead to more profile views. Your headline should tell people what it is that defines your personal brand. Don’t forget to include the industry you work in.
Three - Skills and Expertise
Listing skills will give you the opportunity to showcase your expertise and specialities. This also gives your connections the ability to endorse you in those specific areas. Include the top 5-10 skills that are important to your position and the positions you are applying for.
Four - Summary
Your summary is your professional elevator pitch so it should talk about who you are, what you do, what you have done, what you have accomplished, what you are passionate about and what makes you unique. Keep in mind that this is your personal profile. People are on your page because they are interested in learning about you, so you must distinguish yourself from your company.
Your LinkedIn profile is not a formal resume so you should avoid sounding like one in the summary. Make your summary personal and conversational. Tell stories and paint a picture of yourself, but remember to keep it professional.
Five - Employment History
LinkedIn states that listing your 2 most recent positions makes your profile 12 times more like to be found. Include a description and some accomplishments with each of your positions and include volunteer positions that may be of interest or value to your network. Avoid including jobs you had in secondary school or college unless you are a recent graduate with little experience. Only list internships if you are a recent graduate that relates to jobs you’re applying for.
Six - Education
Listing education is extremely important so include all higher education schools you attended and your qualifications. Include all specialisations, awards and any details relevant to your professional profile. Including your school also allows your fellow alumni to find you and connect. If you didn’t finish a degree, you should still include information about your attendance.
Seven - Networks
LinkedIn requires you to have at least 50 plus connections to achieve a completed profile. You can easily upload contacts from your personal email accounts by logging into your personal email and seeing who has a LinkedIn profile. Remember to write a personal message when you send out invitations to connect. Give some context to your invitation.
By following the above steps, you can easily complete your LinkedIn profile and achieve All-Star profile strength. It helps you stay connected and extends your personal brand as well as your business. Finally, always update your profile to ensure your profile strength remains at All-Star level.
