From building your professional network to managing your professional identity, there are some significant benefits of keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date. Since it has quickly become one of the most popular ways for employers to post jobs, and job seekers to showcase their experience, you should focus on keeping all of the content that appears on your profile as current as possible. Consider your profile to be your online reputation and give it the attention it deserves. If you want to take your profile to the next level, then here are some things that should always be listed:

Education and Location

Profiles with details regarding educational backgrounds appear more often in employer searches than those that don’t. It’s just as important to keep your location up-to-date to keep your network in the loop, and to make you more searchable for clients.

Endorsed Skills

The saying that sometimes less is more can definitely be applied to certain features of your LinkedIn profile. It’s perfectly acceptable to be proud of your skills, but as tempting as it might be to list each and every one of those standard skills, remember that some of them don’t help you to standout at all and can actually become a distraction for those employers searching for skills that are key for someone in your industry.

Updated Photo

A professional-looking headshot is one of the most effective ways to boost your personal brand and could mean the difference between getting your profile viewed by your dream employer or not. If you’re not sure whether or not your current photo portrays your competence enough, then there are websites like Photofeeler that you can submit it to and receive anonymous feedback.

Optimized Headline

A great photo and headline are the one-two combination that every profile needs to impress employers. In addition to your current title or position, don’t hesitate to emphasize your strengths.

Recommendations

Similar to the way that consumers opt for dining at restaurants that have positive reviews and feedback posted online, employers are also looking for candidates who have been endorsed by others. So, whether it’s a current colleague, or a former supervisor, don’t overlook the power of positive recommendations appearing on your profile.

Just don’t make the mistake of letting your profile go stale. LinkedIn even offers a mobile app that you can download so you can network on the fly.

 

Are you looking for an opportunity in the Specialty Chemical, Plastics, or Animal Health industry?

Contact us to discuss how we can help you in your career path. Boaz Partners is a premier executive search firm focused on the direct recruitment of executives and professionals for the specialty chemicals and plastics space. We are your partner, and our focus is on custom recruiting solutions.