Everyone seems to have a LinkedIn profile, but not everyone is using it to it’s full potential. Here are a few tips for perfecting your profile.

Add a profile picture
It sounds obvious, but make sure you have one. Your profile is 15 times more likely to be viewed if you have a photo. If possible, use a proper headshot – Careers, Employment & Leadership sometimes employ a photographer to take photos for Curtin students (check out UniHub), but in the meantime you can always ask a friend to take a head and shoulders shot of you against a plain background.

Write your LinkedIn profile summary
It’s easy to avoid but it’s the most important part of your LinkedIn profile…and the hardest part to get right! Make sure you stick to three to five short paragraphs, write in first person, and write how you speak…this is your chance to inject some personality into your profile. Jump online and google LinkedIn profile summaries for some great examples.

Use keywords
To improve your chances of being found by recruiters who are searching for candidates, make sure you use keywords that capture your skills. One approach could be to list ‘Specialities’ at the end of your profile summary.

Complete the whole profile
Fill in the whole profile – try not to leave any sections blank. And this may go without saying, but make sure the profile lines up with the information in your resume…double check your dates!

Proofread
Take the time to read and reread your profile, move things around and wrestle with your final words. Your LinkedIn profile is a great way to show your recruiter who you are, as well as what you’ve done.

Once you’re set up and ready to go, you can have your profile reviewed for free using VMock Aspire. This service provides instant, personalised feedback on the strength of your profile, ideas on SEO keyword optimisation, and skill set recommendations. Oh, and they also do resume reviews! For instant access make sure you create your account using your [email protected] email.