Do not underestimate the power of LinkedIn and how important it is nowadays.

Be sure that any potential employer is going to check your profile on LinkedIn, not to mention the scores of recruiters who spend their entire day looking at profiles on LinkedIn.

So, with that in mind, what do you need to do to create a profile that stands out and gets noticed?

Make it easy for firms/recruiters/head hunters to find you.

Have a clear professional photo.

Have a strap-line description that attracts attention.

The “About You” section should focus on how you can solve other people’s pain points and how you can add value.

Don’t be afraid to post content and comment on other people’s posts.

Make sure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your CV –potential hiring managers will look at your LinkedIn profile.

Steps to having a red-hot LinkedIn profile

1. Profile Photo

Please have one and make sure it is professional looking and not a picture of you with your dog, a selfie, group photos, or cartoons.

2. Contact Details

Fill this in as much as possible.

3. Location and Industry

Fill it in. The more specific you are, the easier it is to find you.

4. Headline

This is key and helps you stand out. Most people simply put their job title but be more creative than that:

• Use all of the real estate possible (120 character limit)
• What makes you different or unique?

5. About

• Use all of the real estate possible (2,000 character limit).
• Write in a narrative format, tell a story that paints a picture you want to convey.
• Have a clear Mission Statement, and highlight your differentiators.
• Inject your personality into what you write
• Focus on how you can solve other people’s pain points and how you can add value.

6. Current and Past Experience

Remember: make sure this section aligns with your CV.

• Write in a narrative format.
• Make sure the work experience is relevant to your audience.

You don’t need to add every position you’ve ever had.

State what you’ve accomplished and what the benefits were to the organization you worked for. Use keywords.

7. Education

Keep this up-to-date.

8. Skills & Endorsements

Make sure your top 3 skills are the ones you want people to endorse you for:

Give endorsements for skills and you shall receive them.

Have at least 8-10 skills on your profile.

9. Recommendations

Recommendations are like endorsements, the more you have, the more confidence potential employers will have in you.

Ask for recommendations – the more the better.

Give recommendations – what goes around comes around, remember.

10. Interests

Follow pages that truly interest you.

Join industry-specific groups (great networking opportunity) – the more groups you are in, the higher you rank.

Follow groups, companies, and influencers.

Follow people who give you industry insights, advice, and honest perspectives, and discuss topics you’re passionate about.

11. Other

Get into the habit of updating it at least once a month.

It helps to keep your profile fresh and ensures that ranks high in search engine rankings.