What makes a good LinkedIn profile?

[crazyquik]

I've heard that a good LinkedIn profile is clutch. But, what separates the average ones from the great ones? Or the 'meh' ones from even reaching the average level?

AF, I am looking at you.

 

[amstokesdb9]

Please don't put adverbs and adjectives in the title, it will make you look like a clown.

 

[Lord-Barrington]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

I've heard that a good LinkedIn profile is clutch. But, what separates the average ones from the great ones? Or the 'meh' ones from even reaching the average level?

AF, I am looking at you.

I've heard that LinkedIn can be useful for more experienced workers but pretty useless for younger ones. Opinions?

 

[unjung]

Originally Posted by Lord-Barrington

I've heard that LinkedIn can be useful for more experienced workers but pretty useless for younger ones. Opinions?

Brand new, perhaps. I am fairly young (four years in business) and use it to fairly good effect. Over 500 connections, about half in my space, and I use it to turn what would have been a cold call into a warm call: "we're already connected on LinkedIn, and I'm calling to [whatever]."

 

[medtech_expat]

The body of my LinkedIn profile was almost entirely a copy/paste of my CV. I had already obsessed over the verbage, so I knew that I would be optimized in search results. Other than that, a few recommendations/observations:

1) get recommended - this is probably where I get the most hits from recruiters, and is the easiest "foot in the door" with a company you may be targeting. I have more than 20 endorsements (from managers, peers, subordinates) in the US, Europe & Asia, and it just makes the interview process that much easier.

2) join industry or alumni groups - this will open up your network in the specific areas where it matters. And for better or worse - put you on the radar of recruiters who specialize in your industry

 

[dragon8]

What do you guys think about adding your picture?

Can I add some of you guys?

 

[unjung]

I absolutely include my picture. Makes that first meeting that more comfortable again. Make sure you use a quality head-shot, not some stupid vacation photo or something like that.

 

[Artisan Fan]

In my opinion.

1. Clear, concise summary.
2. List of special skill sets.
3. 5+ Recommendations.
4. High quality work experience.
5. No goofy titles.
6. Respectable profile picture, wear a tie.
7. Good quality network. Having some number of good contacts may impress where a job involves sales.
8. Quality alumni group and industry associations.

 

[KPO89]

What about creative summaries? Something that is more in grasping than dry facts. I'm in marketing and I thought this was a good thing but could I hear some ideas on this? Willing to post if someone is interested.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by KPO89

What about creative summaries? Something that is more in grasping than dry facts. I'm in marketing and I thought this was a good thing but could I hear some ideas on this? Willing to post if someone is interested.

I'm interested.

 

[KPO89]

Here is my summary:

Marketing is a means to an end...

Powerful people require powerful tools and marketing is the spark that allows the chemistry to occur. Markets are in constant evolution of availability and need. Marketing is what provides the consumer with awareness....and need.

We live in the Information Age and this constant barrage of noise to a consumer's buying nerve deadens the sensitivity of need. A product managers and marketers alike must learn to create need in consumers. The buying power exists, even in today's economy, but marketers have forgotten to create need. Blue Oceans are there for the taking, mobile internet connectivity and personalization have reached new levels of advertisement design and targeting. Where are you today amongst the noise? What part of today's technology are you leveraging for your business? What need is your product creating?

This is what I do. I create need. Whether through personal sales or specific goal-oriented marketing I create powerful-punch lines that give products persona or tailor tactical presentations to create customer need. I'm young and I'm fresh and I'm evolving quicker than you are. I'm the new Mad Men...I'm the future where more people think like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. I am a need-creator.

Too cheesy? Too much? Critique me please.

 

[nerdykarim]

I took a different approach with the summary and used it to include search terms that weren't explicitly in my job descriptions and to highlight particular areas of interest. I also made it short.

 

[KPO89]

^Is the key words just from the summary or skills as well?

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by KPO89

Here is my summary:

Too cheesy? Too much? Critique me please.

You need to have a short paragraph on exactly what skills you can leverage to create value for the client. Think more along what specific things can you do for the client.

 

[reactmma]

Originally Posted by Lord-Barrington

I've heard that LinkedIn can be useful for more experienced workers but pretty useless for younger ones. Opinions?


*Has anyone ever been contacted by a legit recruiter via LinkedIn?