5 tips from Meltwater Group on how to build a strong LinkedIn profile for job search and networking.

1. LinkedIn:
Top 5 Tips
November 2011

2. 5 Reason to Join LinkedIn
• Before we start with our 5 tips for making your LinkedIn
profile the best it can be, Meltwater wanted to remind
you the top 5 reasons to get an account with LinkedIn in
the first place:
1. Reconnect with old coworkers
2. Introductions to new contacts
3. Recruiters can find you, possible new opportunity
4. Strengthening professional relationships
5. Network, network, network
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3. Headline
• Do write a descriptive, professional headline.
• Do be descriptive with your job role, include title and company, but
don’t make those the only things.
• Do make sure to focus on what you can bring to the table. While a
college degree is often necessary for certain jobs, it is not a skill or a
defining characteristic that will put you ahead of the competition.
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4. Photo
• Do make sure you have a photo.
• It’s a rookie mistake on the professional social-networking site, but
it’s one you absolutely should not make. Why?
• It allows recruiters to put a name to a face.
• Friends, coworkers and others with whom you network to
confirm your identity.
• Do use a professional (or at least a professional-looking) photo.
• Use a headshot of you and only you.
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5. URL
• Make it a vanity URL with your name or whatever you commonly
identify as on the Internet (for example, your Twitter handle).
• You may just want to go by first name/last name, or perhaps include
an initial if yours is a common name.
• Or, if you’re Pete Cashmore, just go by your famous tech blog.
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6. SEO
• Search-Engine Optimization:
• First, write a spell-
checked, copy edited,
cohesive and professional
summary.
• Then, go back and make
sure you’ve included
frequently-searched
keywords, that way there’s
no trouble finding you.
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7. Update
• Make sure you frequent your LinkedIn!
• Update your title and headline when necessary.
• Link a Twitter account (only if appropriate).
• Complete your profile (upload a resume, ask for a recommendation)
• Add sharpened skills and connect with coworkers, old and new.
• See who has been looking at your profile. You never know when a
recruiter might be looking to get in touch!
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8. Helpful Links
• LinkedIn
• New User Start-Guide
• VIDEO: What’s LinkedIn
• Meltwater Group’s LinkedIn Page
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