Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is undoubtedly one of the leading professional social media platforms, empowering individuals to develop, showcase, and share their skills, achievements, and aspirations. No longer limited to being solely a job search tool, LinkedIn enables professionals to connect with clients and colleagues while actively participating in and promoting their corporate and personal brands. Therefore, selecting the right profile headshot to effectively communicate our professional identity is crucial for a compelling LinkedIn profile.

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Tips when building your LinkedIn profile

1. Always use a closely cropped professional portrait for your headshot. Never use a photo that was taken at a social event, a wedding or on holiday with your family. Keep your photograph professional, natural and authentic.

2. Create a professional headline highlighting yourself. Try to highlight at least three specialties using your own personal keywords. This should be 'who you are', not just your job title.

3. Use keyword rich content when building your summary and experience categories for your profile page. The list of keywords should include words that describe you, your talents, your personality and the qualities that you aspire to.

4. Use external links to your website, blog and major social media properties, like twitter and your professional facebook page. LinkedIn can help you share your personal brand and your story, but it can also drive traffic to your website.

5. Include any volunteer or extra-curricular work you participate in, as it's an excellent way to share more personality and the type of professional you are.

6. Seek and give recommendations. It's a big ask and an important commitment for others to endorse you, so it's best to first ask your long standing and trusted connections.