While things are slowing down at work, you can use your time to get your LinkedIn Profile ready for 2018! Here are 12 simple ideas you can use to freshen up your LinkedIn profile, and to take advantage of LinkedIn’s latest changes.
- Profile images are now displayed in a circle. Check that yours looks good and adjust it, if necessary. Use the LinkedIn Photo Editor function to zoom, crop, and/or straighten — and, if desired, apply filters.
- Create a new background image for your profile page. The size should be 1536 x 768 pixels – Canva.com has templates that you can use.
- Double-check your privacy settings. Go to “Privacy & Settings,” then click on “Privacy” and check each setting.
- Re-populate any information that may have been removed with the change to the “new look” — for example, putting your contact information at the bottom of the Summary section, or adding information to the “Volunteer Experience” section.
- Check the first 2-3 sentences of your Summary. Are they attention-getting? Would they entice someone to read further?
- Review your Work Experience section. Do you want to re-arrange what is showing up as your current position?
- Get familiar with where you can find your “Groups” now — either bookmark http://www.linkedin.com/Groups or explore the “Work” tab on the main navigation menu.
- Try the “new look” LinkedIn search function on the main navigation menu. Type in a person’s name, company, or Group and explore the filter functions.
- Visit the Notification area and update your connections. It’s much easier to manage now.
- Familiarize yourself with the Messaging function. Respond to messages with a personal response, instead of a “canned” reply.
- Proofread your entire LinkedIn profile carefully!!
- Make a point of visiting LinkedIn and using your account on a regular basis.
BONUS: Take a minute right now and backup your LinkedIn Profile (both “Save to PDF” and creating a full data archive). You want to make sure you have a copy of all your hard work!
