STEP 1
YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE
YOUR CAREER’S BEST ALLY
Let’s kick things off with a hard truth: if you don’t have a solid LinkedIn profile, you’re already behind. Here’s how to make yours pop.
WHY YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE MATTERS
LinkedIn is your gateway to networking, job hunting and showing the world what you’ve got. It’s where you connect with future employers, join conversations, stay up to date on industry trends – and flex those professional muscles, champ!
So let’s get that profile looking slick.
NAIL THE RIGHT PHOTOS
PROFILE PIC (400 X 400 PIXELS)
Forget that selfie from your mate’s BBQ!
Instead, get a head-and-shoulders shot with a plain background. Keep it professional but not too stiff.
Pro tip: MMSS events sometimes bring pro photographers – grab a headshot while you’re there!
COVER PHOTO (1585 X 396 PIXELS)
Pick something that screams you. Maybe it’s a quote, a shot of you volunteering or something that ties into your passion.
HOOK THEM WITH A KILLER HEADLINE
Your headline is your elevator pitch. So keep it short, sharp and humble (ish).
You’ll need to highlight your skills and inject some personality while you’re at it.
And skip the buzzwords like ‘top-performing’ – it’s a turn-off, and you’re a liar.
KEEP YOUR SUMMARY SNAPPY
Now that your readers are hooked, it’s time to dive into your goals, achievements and story in around 5 sentences – at most.
Keep it first-person, avoid jargon and use bullet points to stay sharp. No one has all day.
And if you’ve got any media samples you can use as proof points of the key messages in your summary? Even better.
SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS
Make sure your LinkedIn skills match your resume. (Exaggerations are funny, but not encouraged.)
List your education – start with what matters most to your career. Which means your Grade 6 academic or sports award might not make the cut. Sorry (not sorry).
Highlight both hard and soft skills, and don’t forget to include any volunteer work.
HOW TO FLAUNT IT
Got the perfect profile? Great! Now the real work begins.
- Go public so recruiters can find you.
- Personalise your URL to make it easier to share.
- Build your network with strategic, personalised invites.
- Endorse others (give them a 5-day grace period to return the favour before you delete it).
- Engage with posts beyond just likes – share, comment and repost with your own thoughts and observations.
Remember, it’s not about humblebragging… at least not all the time. Share useful content and watch the magic happen.
Time to get out there!