LinkedIn. You know it, you love it… but does it love you back? Many of us use LinkedIn the way some brands use social media; we have a profile, which allows others to find us, but we don’t keep our information up-to-date or share content on a consistent basis. Does this sound like you?
If so, you’re in luck! We put together three easy steps you can take to beef up your LinkedIn profile and make a lasting impact on employers and recruiters.
Boost Your Personal Brand In Three Easy Steps
Step 1: Complete your profile
Think about your LinkedIn profile the same way you think about a survey or form. You shouldn’t click ‘Update’ until every field is filled out. Why? Having a complete profile means your name will show up in more search results, resulting in more networking connections and job prospects.
According to LinkedIn, your profile is seven times more likely to be found in a search when it includes a professional photo. Furthermore, if you include your two most recent employment positions, you can improve your chances of being found twelvefold.
Step 2: Stay consistent
When it comes to branding yourself, consistency is key. There’s a reason Tiffany & Co. doesn’t stray from its iconic blue, or why you’re hard pressed to see a Skittles ad that doesn’t end in, “taste the rainbow.” Successful brands have a consistent look, feel, and tone of voice across all channels—and the same should be true of your personal brand. Developing and showcasing a consistent personal brand helps ensure you make a lasting impression on recruiters and potential employers.
That way, wherever a recruiter or employer stumbles upon your name, they’ll be served the same messaging, so they can make an informed decision about what you might be like to work with.
Step 3: Be social
Last but not least, remember LinkedIn is a social media platform—so be social! It’s not enough just to have a profile on the professional networking site. You should be interacting with your network, sharing thought leadership pieces, and promoting your personal brand on a daily basis.
If you’re not sure how to start, don’t worry. Developing and showcasing your personal brand on LinkedIn can be as easy as one, two, three. Each day you log into LinkedIn, try to:
- Share one piece of content (e.g., an article, blog, video, photo, or general status update)
- Comment on two pieces of content shared by others in your network
- Like three pieces of content shared by others in your network
That’s it! By following these three simple steps, you’ll be a LinkedIn “All-Star” in no time. Once you’ve built your personal brand, you can leverage LinkedIn for recruitment and lead generation.
