7 Ways to Elevate Your Professional Presence on LinkedIn

Join us as we dive into the world of LinkedIn, the social media platform for professionals. We’ll reveal how to spruce up your profile, as well as how to start creating a vibrant and engaging narrative to communicate your professional identity. Having a good profile can help you get what you want out of this increasingly popular platform, as well as potentially open up new opportunities. 

While LinkedIn started out for many as a place to share your CV and connect with colleagues, it's become much more than that. It’s now a great place to shout about your successes and amplify those of colleagues and clients, re-share an interesting article on equity in the workplace, or share a blog post about a project you’re involved in.

Here are seven easy ways to elevate your LinkedIn profile. 

 

1. Share Your Story

In your 'About' section, try connecting the dots between your past experiences, your current status and your future ambitions. If you’re looking for a new role, your unique professional story could just capture the interest of a potential employer...

2. Share Your Insights

LinkedIn is more than a professional directory; it’s a publishing platform too. If you have some thoughts, ideas or industry insights, post them—you never know who might benefit from something you have to say. Active participation will help position you as Someone Who Knows Things and keep you on the radar of your professional network.

3. Showcase Your Talent Through Multimedia

Next time you have something to share, why not try showing rather than telling? Video content, for example, is huge right now. You can also build a portfolio of your work to demonstrate your accomplishments, projects, or skills. There’s some useful info here on how to do this. Use images, presentations, or videos to add that extra dimension to your profile and make it stand out.

4. Optimise Your Profile with SEO

LinkedIn, like Google, uses algorithms based on keywords. Optimise your profile by seamlessly integrating relevant industry keywords not just in your headline or job titles, but across your 'About' section, job descriptions and skills. This will help boost your profile and help the right people find you. 

5. Use the 'Open to Work' Feature Tactfully

If you’re looking for a new opportunity, LinkedIn's 'Open to Work' feature can discreetly convey your availability for new opportunities. Just make sure to select the ‘Recruiters only’ option rather than the ‘All LinkedIn members’ option if you are currently employed!

6. Recommendations Are a Two-Way Street

Testimonials from colleagues, clients or employers will strengthen your profile, letting people know that others endorse and value your skills. Boosting others in return is a great way to create a culture of mutual appreciation and support in your professional community. 

7. Join Some LinkedIn Groups

Feed the breadth of your professional interests by joining some groups related to your industry. Sharing your thoughts and/or reacting to group posts could open the door to a world of insightful discussions, relevant content, job posts, and industry experts. This could also help expand your network. 

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If you’re interested in nurturing your professional online presence and participating in industry discussions and news, your LinkedIn profile can be a really useful tool. A well-tended profile can even be a dynamic and evolving snapshot of your professional life.

We hope these tips will guide you towards creating a standout LinkedIn profile that resonates with your professional identity. Whether you’re a digital native or new to sharing on platforms like LinkedIn, we’re here to help.

Stay up-to-date with what we're up to! Follow Wired Sussex on LinkedIn here.

About the author

Chris Chowen

Hi, I'm Chris, Wired Sussex's Innovation and Technology Manager. I help to facilitate the Brighton Immersive Lab, offer support to the FuseBox residents and lead our programme of Brighton Immersive events.

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