LinkedIn Tips for Beginners

Want to expand your connections, strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career? LinkedIn is a good place to start.

LinkedIn is the leading social media platform for professionals. It offers a place to source and find connections, to publish, and perhaps more importantly, to promote your accomplishments and market your business.  

If you want to create or update your LinkedIn profile but don’t know where to begin, below are the latest tips to help you get started.
 

Profile Photo

Your profile photo should be a professional headshot of yourself, taken with a professional camera. The background of your photo should not be busy and ideally a blank canvas. Research has shown profiles with professional headshots get 21 times as many views as those which do not.
 

Profile Summary

Your profile summary is a quick overview that allows others to learn who you are, what you do, and where you live. If someone looks at your profile and you have included certain attributes they seek, there’s a greater likelihood they will connect with you with the possibility of reaching out.


 

Background Summary

This part of the profile gives you the chance to provide a quick overview of your professional experience, qualifications and goals. Think of this as your personal elevator pitch. This space also provides an opportunity to share a few personal titbits (optional) and a preferred method of contact.


 

Activity

Once you have finished completing your background summary, you can start filling out other sections like experience, skills, recommendations, accomplishments, volunteer experience, certifications and more. LinkedIn tracks your progress with a “Profile Strength” rating meter to help guide you in perfecting your professional profile.



Setting up your LinkedIn profile takes time and should not be rushed. Work through your profile step by step. Don’t be afraid to look at other accounts for reference or ask someone to proofread before publishing. This is your professional profile and is meant to better you and help guide you to the next opportunity.
 

More on LinkedIn:

LinkedIn Tips for Job Seekers

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