Why is it important to keep your LinkedIn profile current?

LinkedIn is the ‘digital handshake’ of the professional world. It's your first impression, ongoing CV and shows your professional journey. LinkedIn provides a platform to connect with other professionals, industry leaders, and colleagues. It can be instrumental in building and nurturing professional relationships, which can lead to collaborative opportunities, job offers, and business growth.

So why keep your profile current?

Professional Branding.

Your LinkedIn profile is the face of your personal brand. It’s a living document that grows with you, presents your most up-to-date skills, accomplishments, and career objectives. It's not just about where you've been, but where you're heading.

Engagement and Visibility.

An active profile is a visible profile. LinkedIn's algorithms favour profiles that are frequently updated – along with regular engagement with your LinkedIn community. By regularly refreshing your content and interacting with your network, you ensure that your professional persona stays prominent and relevant.

Networking and Opportunities.

The strength of LinkedIn lies in its ability to connect to professionals across the globe. An up-to-date profile makes for more meaningful interactions and opens the door to new career opportunities, partnerships, and collaborative ventures.

Need to refresh your profile? Here are some easy wins:

Begin with the basics:

Update your Profile Photo.

This reflects your current professional image and ensures your title accurately describes your position and areas of expertise. Your summary should then explain a professional ‘story’ that not only highlights your professional background, but also provides insight into your skills, training and visions for the future.

Experiences and Key Achievements.

List these for each role, adding results where possible to evidence your successes. Keep your project section brimming with fresh examples of your work, including rich media such as images, videos, or presentations that provide tangible proof of your skills.

Skill Endorsements and Social Proof.

A well-endorsed set of skills and robust recommendations from peers and leaders reinforce your professional credibility. It helps to actively seek out endorsements for your most relevant skills and request recommendations that reflect your most recent work or significant accomplishments.

Content and Community Engagement.

Position yourself as a thought leader by sharing insightful content, whether it's original or curated. Comment on industry trends, join and contribute to relevant groups, and participate in discussions. This engagement shows that you are very active and invested in your professional community.

LinkedIn is more than a CV - it's centre stage for personal branding, a forum for thought leadership, and a network for opportunity. By investing time into keeping your LinkedIn profile current, you not only continue to showcase your individual growth, but also elevate your professional status and enjoy this exciting social media platform!

Need more tips and tricks for success on LinkedIn? Get in touch with the team at Innov8 Social on LinkedIn or visit our awesome website innov8social.co.uk for our contact details and socials!