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Professionals use social media today on a daily basis so they can connect with other professionals, find jobs and become trusted members of their industry. For those who use LinkedIn, you need to make sure the profile is complete and stands out from all the rest. With millions of users on this social network, your profile is your lifeline between finding a new job and being stuck in unemployment or a dead-end career.

Professional Picture

LinkedIn is not Facebook. We say this because you should not use any pictures with alcohol, drugs or inappropriate clothing in them. Your profile picture should always be professional. This means that you should be wearing business attire and be freshly groomed.

Have a Targeted Job Description

You need to create a job description that is targeted. Look at profiles of other professionals who work the same job as yours. Make sure the description has the correct wording and utilizes keywords related to the industry in which you work.

Have a Clear Headline

The headline of your LinkedIn profile must be clear and concise in describing what you do on the job today. You also need to discuss the value that you bring to potential employers in your headline.

Use a Short Summary

The summary of your LinkedIn profile should remain short. LinkedIn profiles will be reviewed quickly by hiring managers and recruiters. The summary should be no longer than three to five paragraphs and always use bullet points for your skills.

Make Your Achievements Shine

You have been piling up the achievements throughout your career, which you are proud of, so make sure you focus on them in your LinkedIn profile. This is one of the most undervalued aspects of the LinkedIn profile and that should not be the case. Adding achievements is incredibly easy using this social network so make sure you take advantage of it.

Use Uncommon Buzzwords

With millions of profiles on LinkedIn, you are bound to come across the same profile buzzwords quite often. This is why you need to use uncommon buzzwords in your profile. It will grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

Always Have a Current Position

Even if you are unemployed, your LinkedIn profile should always have a current position listed (HINT: this can be a volunteer or freelance role). You need to show that you are constantly working in your niche. Potential employers want to see what you are up to right now, so find something to do and put it in the profile.

Post Content

LinkedIn has this great feature where it allows you to post content to your profile. Write and publish articles about your job or your industry. This will help you build a personal brand and become an expert within your field.

Ask for Recommendations

As you build a larger network on LinkedIn, you need to begin asking your most trusted connections for recommendations. These are just as valuable as the ones you submit with a job application or to a company during the interview process.

As you browse your LinkedIn profile tonight, see if any of these items need to be worked on. If so, make the changes necessary so your profile stands out from the rest of the crowd.