How to build a powerful LinkedIn profile
By: Abhinav Ajith
Tags: LinkedIn, Networking, Job Hunting, Career Advice, Resume

To start with LinkedIn is often called as “Facebook for Professionals”. It is a powerful social media platform which helps to connect with professionals around the globe. It was launched on May, 2003 to help employers connect with employees. According to Wikipedia, as of March 2019, there are about 610 million registered members spanning across 200 countries. Gone are the days of printed resume’s, today people are recruited by the quality of their LinkedIn profiles. A recruiter before hiring a person will look for the past experiences, recommendations, skills, education, certifications etc. from the person’s LinkedIn profile. I will give a simple walk through to how to build an appealing LinkedIn profile.

To start with if you are not a LinkedIn member create one now.

To be appreciated in LinkedIn, first you have to obey the rules which include:

Don’t post personal contents like you do in Facebook Try to behave professionally irrespective of gender Don’t message a professional unless it’s important Lastly, try to appreciate an achievement even if it is small

To make your profile discoverable, first make your profile “All Star”

An All Star Profile

Tips to make your profile stand out:

Experience: Add your experience if you have any and don’t forget to add the duration, company, dates. Do describe the activities that you have done as an employee. Try to attach the Letter of Recommendation from the company if you are searching for a new career. Education: This is an important section, please do add your degree(s), dates, marks(if it’s worth sharing), activities you have done and add your certificates along with it. Certifications: In this section add your certifications or licenses relevant to your field of expertise. You can link your document from Google Drive or directly upload your credentials to Slide share. Volunteering: This is a main section if you are applying for Master’s admissions or related. Moreover people can display their societal contributions if they are interested. Skills: I have seen many people just boasting there skills but in real life they maybe a novice. Try to complete LinkedIn assessments if you think you are an expert in that skills. Do ask your colleges to up-vote and comment your skills. Courses: Many students try to add subjects that they have took during their degree studies and fill the number of courses. In my opinion try to add valuable courses from firms, schools etc. which may find authentic to the recruiters. Honors & Awards: This is the best section to show off your prizes and awards you have earned. Even if it’s small try to spice it up. Organizations: If you are a member of societies that are relevant to your field please do add it in this section. Try to add the status of the membership at present. Don’t forget to mention your contributions when you worked in that organisation. Patents: This is an important section to show your innovative ideas. If you have filed, published or granted a patent add it so that recruiters can know about your knowledge in a field. Don’t forget to add the co-inventors if any. Publications: To be genuine, publication mainly deals with the papers, journals, conferences etc. which you have participated and published your work. I have also seen people putting newspaper articles mentioning their name as a publication which in my opinion is not worth. Projects: Even if you leave other sections don’t leave this. Mention the projects that you have been a member and do describe the outcomes and experiences you have gained. Languages: This is a section where the recruiter can find your communication skills and flexibility. Unless you are proficient and hold a certification in a language don’t add the language to this section. Test Scores: You can add the scores you have gained in an exam or ranking in a specific field here.

These are some of the tips which you can follow to build a powerful profile. I will write about networking, career opportunities in another article.

Hope you had a nice read.