How to Build an Awesome LinkedIn Profile
The March meeting of the NC Biotech Jobs Network kicked off with a welcome by Mike Wilkins, Senior Vice President Statewide Operations and Economic Development of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Mike talked about NCBiotech’s mission of economic development in support of North Carolina’s life science industry. He said it was important for the Center to keep a qualified and talented workforce in the state.
Joanna Wolfe, Director of Information & Integrated Media for TechMedia, then presented information on how to build an “awesome” LinkedIn profile to a near capacity audience. Joanna presented many worthy tips that even veteran LinkedIn users will find helpful to update their profiles. Joanna’s top 10 list of things you can do to be awesome includes:
- Make yourself searchable
- Create a headline that is searchable
- Identify your location
- Customize your URL
- Add a [GOOD] photo
- Optimize your profile for search engines
- Articulate your accomplishments & talents
- Fill in the blanks
- Become a consultant
- Keep your profile up to date
In addition she gave tips on
- how to personalize and edit your LinkedIn URL (select the arrow next to your name to enter “Settings” select “Edit your public profile” then “Edit” next to the URL located under your picture);
- how to include bullets (you must copy and paste them from Word);
- and how to access the LinkedIn Help Center, which she says is very responsive (scroll to the very bottom of your profile page on left).
However, before you make any changes, Joanna cautions you to check your privacy controls (also under settings) and turn off your activity broadcasts and to select “only you” under who can see your activity feed.
Joanna has generously made her presentation available. Check it out for additional tips that are sure to improve your profile and move you on a path to increased visibility on LinkedIn.