LinkedIn Refresh: Tips to Help Your Profile Standout

With over 900 million users worldwide, LinkedIn offers an opportunity to connect with potential clients, networking partners, and industry peers. Yet many people haven’t updated their profiles in years — often because they think LinkedIn is only for job seekers. It isn’t.

In addition to job searching, LinkedIn is used to find clients, build referral networks, and identify board members. Your profile is working for you, or against you, whether you’re actively using it or not.

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile can impact your brand’s visibility and credibility. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to enhance your existing profile, here are my recommendations:

1. Use a Professional Profile Picture. First impressions are important. Choose a high-quality, professional profile picture that is 400 x 400 pixels and accurately represents you and your brand. Your profile picture should only feature you; using a photo with another person cropped out or partially visible is not considered professional.

2. Add a Banner That Represents Your Brand. Adding a LinkedIn banner is another way to make your profile stand out. It can be customized to showcase your company’s products, services, upcoming events, recent awards, or a call to action. A banner for your profile can easily be created in Canva (there are many templates to choose from), or you can hire someone to design one for you. 

3. Complete Your Profile. Your LinkedIn profile showcases your professional life. Fill out each section, including your header, summary, experience, education, skills, and contact information. A complete profile makes it easier for people to learn about your professional background and understand your professional skills, experience, and achievements. It also lays a strong foundation for networking, building relationships, and showcasing expertise.

Pro Tip: You can edit your LinkedIn profile without notifying all your contacts. Click here for detailed instructions from LinkedIn.

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first place someone looks before reaching out. It’s worth making sure it represents you well.