1. Connect and reconnect with your network. When you meet a new business contact, connect with them on LinkedIn to add them to your network. Stay in touch by liking their posts or maybe send them a message of congratulations when they get a new job.
2. Get recommendations from colleagues, connections, and clients added to your page. If you know that some can speak well on your behalf, ask them to write you a recommendation. The worst thing that could happen is that they could say no. But, if they say yes, you have a someone vouching for you online – there for everyone to see.
3. Add a profile photo, a background photo, and a tagline. Make your page more personal. Add a nice head-shot. Describe your occupation. Make your page aesthetically and professionally desirable.
4. Update your personal details, contact details, and LinkedIn URL. You want to make it as easy as possible for your network to get in touch with you. Updating your details on your LinkedIn profile page is the perfect way to do that.
5. Insert a summary of your career highlights in bullet points. Your LinkedIn profile should highlight the very best of your professional experience. Add details and make sure your profile demonstrates your best qualities.
6. Detail your professional experience to date and give examples. The main difference between a resumé and a LinkedIn profile is that on LinkedIn, there is no limit on space. If it relevant to your professional experience, you should add it to your page. Show your value by giving examples of the work your have done in the past.
7. Update and reorder your skills, and input any that aren’t already there. On your page, advocate for yourself. If you know you have a skill that isn’t already listed, add it. Also, be sure to ask people that have seen your skills in action to endorse you on you LinkedIn page. This can include anything from schooling, training, or even volunteer work.
8. Include your education and qualifications, along with any professional training. Anything you have done to better yourself professionally is valuable information to include on your page.
9. Add certificates or other badges of honour to your page. If you have earned awards or honours, your LinkedIn page is the perfect place to display them.
10. Join groups of interest and groups that are relevant to your sector. You can join groups based on education, employment or industry. Joining groups is great way to connect with more people and stay in touch.
11. Use LinkedIn to create new business/career opportunities (Inmail). If you want to get the word out about a promotion, find someone for a job, or offer your services, Inmail could be a great way to do it. People tend to take messages on LinkedIn more seriously as it is a professional networking site, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your network!