Unlock the Power of Your LinkedIn Profile

Updated November 1, 2024

Have you considered how others perceive you in the digital world? Sure, you have a resume. If you’re in the creative space, you may even have a website or an online portfolio. But how is your LinkedIn profile looking?

In some cases, a LinkedIn profile might be considered an afterthought. If you’re someone who’s been in the same role or with the same company for a long time—or not looking for a new position—you may have let your LinkedIn get out of date or stagnant.

Even if you’re not on the job hunt, having a well-built LinkedIn profile matters now more than ever. Let’s explore how revamping your LinkedIn profile could lead to upgrading your personal brand and the impact that can have on your career—and, potentially, even your paycheck.

Why Have an Active Presence on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is a useful tool if you dedicate some time to understanding its benefits and capabilities. We all have a list of achievements, accomplishments, and successes. LinkedIn helps you highlight them.

According to LinkedIn, 72% of professionals believe that having a strong personal brand can help them gain a competitive advantage in their industry. LinkedIn is more than just another social media platform; it’s a 24/7 billboard for your professional life and personal brand. And valuable for much more than getting a job.

After all, it plays a role in how others perceive you, your insights into your industry, and your professional achievements. Did you know that 69% of U.S. LinkedIn users are active daily—that’s about 138 million members in the U.S. Several folks I’ve consulted with think LinkedIn is only a place to be active when you’re also actively looking for a job. But remember, it’s much more than that now.

LinkedIn is truly a place for virtual networking.

Your network can include people inside or outside your industry or field. Connections in your industry are great for keeping up with trends and staying open to new opportunities. But by including people outside your field, you have the chance to expand your business acumen and discover different points-of-view.

Your LinkedIn network can help you as much or as little as you prioritize it. Needless to say, don’t be afraid to reach out to those who are outside your immediate network. Is there a thought-provoking leader in your industry? Is there someone you met at a college alumni event years ago that you want to reconnect with? You never know where other people can lead you.

Can you even think of the last time you went to a meeting or an interview without checking out the hiring manager or department leader on LinkedIn? The social platform reports that 65 million people look for a job on the site each week.

A 2020 survey by Jobvite reported that 72% of recruiters used LinkedIn to hire new candidates. Social media recruiting can help you connect with passive candidates before they’re swamped with offers or busy submitting applications, giving you a crucial head start in attracting them to your company. Skilled recruiters know this, and they have the edge if they’re already active and engaged on the platform.

10 Ways to Be More Active on LinkedIn

Here are 10 tips to put your best foot forward and build engagement for your profile on LinkedIn:

Become a content contributor. Share insightful articles, industry news, or original pieces showcasing your expertise. Position yourself as a thought leader to build your following and network with professionals.
Actively participate in discussions, comment on relevant posts, and offer insights or support to peers. Building genuine connections strengthens your personal brand and keeps you visible.
Choose a professional-looking headshot—no group shots. Selfies are ok so long as they represent you well professionally. Remember, your profile photo is often the first thing someone sees when they look at your profile.
Make sure your headline is reflective of what you do, but it doesn’t have to be only your job title. You can get creative to talk more about your skills or expertise. This Marketing Director vs. Creative Brand Expert for B2B Businesses. Which one works better for your goals?
Use your “Summary” section to showcase your professional achievements, skills, and expertise. Focus on using search-friendly keywords and industry terms as you explain who you are and what you do.
Your “Experience” section can include current and past roles and bullet points on your achievements and responsibilities in each role. It’s a great place to get specific and go into more detail than your resume has space for.
Use your “Education” section to highlight your academic background if appropriate as well as any special certifications you’ve received that are relevant to your industry—or the one you want to go into.
Your “Skills” section highlights the most important skills relevant to your industry. So, ask yourself if it’s time to downplay or remove any skills that aren’t relevant to what you want to do in the future.
Join and participate in groups related to your industry, job title, or interests. Network with members, contribute to discussions, and establish yourself as a valuable and respected expert and resource.
Research and connect with recruiters in your field. Build relationships that might lead to future opportunities, even if you’re not actively searching. Stay informed about what they’re looking for because you may also need to work with a recruiter to hire for your company down the line.

Ways to Showcase Yourself Using LinkedIn

Networking and Visibility

One of the biggest benefits of having a strong LinkedIn profile is the ability to network with other professionals and with recruiters. Since LinkedIn is one of the most popular platforms for recruiters to source and vet candidates, having a well-crafted profile can help you get seen and then stand out from the crowd. Plus, it’s a great place to do research about current pay rates for the title you want and spot IT industry trends in compensation.

Showcasing Achievements

Just like your resume, your LinkedIn profile can be the perfect place to showcase your professional accomplishments and the impact of your roles. It’s an opportunity to provide specific examples of how you’ve added value in your role.

When highlighting your achievements, focus on specific metrics and a connection to business results. This is a chance to stand out and show that you’re a top performer throughout your career.

Professional Recommendations and Endorsements

Recommendations from previous managers or colleagues are another element of a strong LinkedIn profile. Recommendations can be powerful since they provide social proof of your skills and credibility.

Requesting recommendations on LinkedIn isn’t difficult—simply reach out to the person you’d like to receive one from and ask them to write one. It’s always a good idea to be specific about what you’d like them to highlight in their recommendation.

Don’t be shy about offering to write one for current colleagues and former co-workers as well. You (and they) have the option to show recommendations to only connections or everyone on the platform.

Personal Branding

It’s a great place to showcase key projects, proud achievements, side hustles, or volunteer work you’ve done or organizations you’re a part of. By highlighting your interests and sharing more about who you are outside of your career, you show how you connect with the culture and bring your whole self to work.

Above all else, be authentically you. Your LinkedIn profile can show your personality and who you are beyond just job titles and list of skills.

Remember, even if you’re not actively looking, a strong LinkedIn presence can open doors to unexpected opportunities down the line. Plus, it can help you know the industry trends for your role—and do the research as you consider compensation offers. You can work now to establish yourself as a desirable candidate for hiring managers when the right moment arrives.

Ready to hire for your team or find a new job? Insight Global can help you source, vet and hire top talent for IT and healthcare, and many more industries.