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LinkedIn has experienced steady growth since its establishment, with over 590 million users by the end of 2018. So, not only are a lot of people using LinkedIn, but many of them are in upper management, exactly 45 percent, making it the perfect platform to make yourself seen in the professional world. Chances are, however, that your LinkedIn profile is in need of a refresh. We’ve pulled together 5 quick updates you can make to your profile, which will take less than 5 minutes each!
Update your LinkedIn profile picture
Put on your favorite work outfit and have a coworker snap a photo of you in front of a blank wall! A fancy camera is great if you have one on hand, but today’s smartphones have some pretty incredible photo capabilities as well. An updated profile picture is the fastest way to give your whole professional persona a facelift.
Choose a new cover photo
See if your company has any branded cover photos. Are you feeling extra creative? You can always head to a free stock photo site like Unsplash and download something related to your industry. Ultimately, you want your cover photo to be a reflection of your personality and or profession, giving people who view your profile an inside look at what it’s like to work with you.
Rethink your headline
If you’re like most people on LinkedIn, your headline is just a copy of your current job title and company. While this is fine, there’s definitely an opportunity for improvement! Try including a few of your key skills, or expanding upon your job title. Also, don’t forget to include any special certifications or designations. After all, you’ve earned them!
Give a LinkedIn recommendation
Giving a colleague a recommendation serves a few great purposes. First, it allows you to give them a professional boost. It also prompts the recipient to reciprocate the favor! One benefit you may not have considered is that you will also be featured on their profile next to a sincere compliment. (And with your standout new headshot, you’ll be sure to catch everyone’s eye!)
Share an article
The best way to continuously establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry is to share articles, blogs, and other posts on LinkedIn. In an ideal world, you would share something every single day. Make sure to go beyond “liking” or other reactions to posts, or even just quickly sharing. It’s worth the extra minute to add an insightful comment that will help others understand what compelled you to share this content. And if you are really trying to make a good impression with your network, publish your very own article! Publishing your own articles on LinkedIn helps demonstrate your industry knowledge to your peers.
