At Block&Capital, as experts in technology recruitment, there are many LinkedIn profiles that we analyze every day and, although some may reflect a lack of interest or lack of knowledge, we could say that most of them follow a correct pattern. However, finding a really hard-working profile, which stands out for the care and affection dedicated, is not so common.
For this reason, in today’s article we will offer some tips to make your profile more professional and interesting so that you can correctly reflect the image you want to project. In addition, if you are looking for new opportunities or want to connect with professionals in your industry, there is no better cover letter than your LinkedIn profile.
Choose your profile and cover photo wisely
Choosing the profile picture may seem like the simplest step, but in reality it is one of the ones that generates the most doubts. It is not uncommon to see that, faced with the difficulty of choosing a suitable image, many people choose not to put any. From my experience as a recruiter, I can say that the absence of a photo is not an automatic reason to discard a candidate, but if we want to create a good impression, choosing a photo that conveys professionalism will always give more confidence.
Although you probably already know the standard criteria for your photo to be considered suitable, I personally believe that sometimes it’s good to go outside the box. It is not necessary that it is the typical image of a passport or a recent graduate, since what we are looking for is to transmit our essence.
The photo can be a half-body portrait or just the face, but it is essential that it has good quality, so make sure it does not look pixelated. On the other hand, depending on the dynamism or energy you want to transmit, you can discard those photos where you have a passive activity and you are simply smiling at the camera and choose one where you are performing an action, for example, giving a speech.
As for the atmosphere, you can choose a more formal or corporate one or you can choose a more relaxed atmosphere, as long as it is in line with your sector. But if you don’t want to fail, the ideal is to choose a neutral background with good lighting.
What we must be clear about is that the photo will provide a lot of information about our way of being, and when choosing, it is better to select a photograph with which you can transmit and project your personality, since it will add more value to your profile even if it is not a photograph taken in a studio.
As for the cover photo, it is advisable to choose an image related to the sector in which you work or in which you would like to develop professionally. You can also opt for a corporate image, although in this case you should keep in mind that you will be prioritizing the identity of your current company over your personal branding.
Customize your URL
Adding your LinkedIn profile to your resume is always a good idea, since many times if we are in a selection process it will be one of the things that recruitment experts will need to analyze. Therefore, having a professional URL, will offer a good image of you, considering you a person who takes care of the details.
To make your URL more effective, use your first and last name without special characters, avoid numbers or unnecessary elements and keep it as short and professional as possible. This will make your profile easier to share and easier to find in searches. On the other hand, if your name is very common, and the personalized URL you want is already taken, you can try some alternatives, such as adding your profession or specialty. In this case, if your name is David Smith and you are a Software Developer, you can write: /davidsmith-dev or /davids-softwaredev.
The important thing is that the URL should be easy to remember and write, avoiding special characters or combinations that are difficult to read. Therefore, if you don’t have a personalized URL yet, and you don’t know how to change it, you can follow the steps below:
The first thing you will need to do will be to log in to your LinkedIn account and go to your profile by clicking on your photo at the top right and selecting “View profile”. Then, at the top right of your profile, click on “Edit public profile and URL”. On the new page, in the right section, you will find the “Edit your custom URL” option.
Customize your professional headline
The headline that appears just below your name is the first thing that visitors to your profile will see, so make sure it is clear and concise. It is common to find excessively long headlines or, in the case of developers, with all the technologies they use.
It is important to specify but with some moderation, and we should approach the headline as if it were the title of a book. The ideal is to opt for a brief and realistic headline, such as “Full Stack Developer | React and Node.js Specialist”, since the more direct and precise it is, the better results it will give us.
In addition to making your profile easier to find, a well-defined headline should convey authenticity, so avoid grandiloquent or exaggerated statements about you, as this type of message says a lot about the person, and if they are not substantiated, it is best to avoid them. Honesty will always be the best strategy.
Write an attractive abstract
Now it’s time to elaborate a bit more, so if you haven’t yet filled in the “About” section I’ll leave you some tips to make your profile stand out.
Although there is nothing written in terms of tastes, personally I think it is closer when we write our summary in the first person, so avoid talking about yourself in the third person while “flattering” yourself too much.
Think that this is your opportunity to stand out and be known, so make your strengths shine and explain your main motivations. Some tips you can follow are: briefly explain who you are and what you do, show your motivations, mention the technologies you are an expert in and key projects you have worked on. On the other hand, if you have also participated in hackathons, this is the right place to let them know.
If you have a personal website where you introduce yourself or showcase your skills as a developer, you can attach it to the top panel of your LinkedIn profile to make it easily accessible.
Through this button, LinkedIn allows you to add custom links, so in addition to your website, you can include a blog, an online portfolio or even a YouTube channel if you are in the business of creating informative content.
If this is your case, do not miss the opportunity to highlight it and take advantage of this feature so that both recruiters and other professionals in your industry can get to know you better and explore your work in more detail.
Pay attention to the knowledge and skills section
The “Knowledge and Skills” section is as relevant as the “Experience” section when it comes to attracting the attention of recruiters. If you prefer to be more concise in the “Experience” section, this space will allow you to effectively highlight your key skills and knowledge.
This is where you can list all the tools, technologies and programming languages you have mastered or used throughout your career. Although hard skills are usually the most valued, if you aspire to a leadership or management position, it is advisable to also include soft skills such as leadership, teamwork or project management.
If you are looking for job opportunities in a specific programming language or technology, be sure to include it in this section. However, if you started with one technology and are now specializing in a completely different one, it is advisable to eliminate those that you no longer wish to use professionally. This way, you will avoid being contacted for offers that do not align with your current goals.
Keep the experience section updated
Keeping your work experience updated and well structured is key for your LinkedIn profile to be attractive and coherent. It is advisable to avoid temporary gaps between one position and another, as they may generate doubts. Therefore, if at some point you decided to take a career break, such as studying in another country for a year or volunteering, you can include it in your profile, even if it is not a work experience. This helps to give context to your career path and make your career changes more understandable.
On the other hand, while it is optional to add descriptions under each position, it is ideal to include a brief summary of your responsibilities, accomplishments or projects in which you participated. Even with just two lines, you can highlight your impact and the technologies used, making it easier for recruiters and other professionals to better understand your experience and skills.
Posts and activity
Finally, it is important to keep active on LinkedIn, either by participating in conversations, sharing relevant content or publishing your own contributions on topics of interest in your industry, as interaction on the platform will help you gain visibility and strengthen your personal brand.
Remember that your entire network can see your comments and reactions to publications, so it is advisable to maintain a professional tone in your interactions. For more personal or non-work related topics, it is preferable to use other social networks.
It is valid to express your opinion and position yourself on certain topics, but choose carefully those discussions that really add value to your professional profile. Always communicate your ideas with respect and avoid taking debates personally, because building a solid reputation on LinkedIn depends on the way you express yourself and participate in the community.
Conclusion
Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is a key investment in your professional development, especially in the technology field, where the visibility and projection of your experience can make all the difference in connecting with job opportunities. From choosing the right profile picture to personalizing your headline and constantly updating your experience and skills, every detail contributes to strengthening your personal brand and capturing the attention of recruiters and industry professionals.
In addition, actively interacting on the platform through posts, comments and relevant content will allow you to position yourself as an expert in your field. It is not only about having a well-structured profile, but also about demonstrating your knowledge and passion for technology.
While many profiles meet the basic requirements, the ones that really stand out are those that reflect dedication, authenticity and a well thought-out strategy. By applying these tips, you will not only improve your LinkedIn profile, but also increase your chances of finding new opportunities and expanding your professional network.
Want to keep reading about how to improve professionally? Don’t miss these resources!
- Personal branding: Strategies for standing out in the professional world
- Guide to a successful job interview process
At Block&Capital, specialists in tech recruitment, we strive to create an environment where growth and success are within everyone’s reach. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, we encourage you to join us.
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