the top 9 mistakes we see people make with their linkedin profiles - and how to avoid them

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools for professional networking, job hunting, and personal branding. It’s an essential platform for professionals and businesses to showcase their skills, experience, and achievements. However, many people make common mistakes that can hinder their success on the platform. In this post, we’ll discuss the top 9 mistakes we see people make with their LinkedIn profiles and how to correct them.

1. Using a Generic Headline. 
Your headline is one of the first things people see when they come across your profile. It should be attention-grabbing and convey what you do. Avoid using generic headlines like “Experienced Professional” or “Results-Driven Manager”. Instead, use specific keywords that describe your skills and expertise.

2. Ignoring the Power of Keywords.
Using keywords is essential for making your profile more visible on LinkedIn. These are the words and phrases that recruiters and hiring managers use to search for candidates with specific skills and experience. Make sure to include relevant keywords throughout your profile, especially in your headline, summary, and work experience sections.

3. Having a poorly written "About" section. 
The About section on your LinkedIn profile presents an opportunity to showcase your personal brand and establish your professional identity. This section is a chance to introduce yourself, highlight your skills and experience, and share your career aspirations. By not taking advantage of this section, you could be missing out on opportunities to connect with potential employers, clients, and business partners. A poorly written, short, or incomplete section can also give the impression that you're not invested in your LinkedIn profile or that you don't take your professional identity seriously. Therefore, it's important to use this section to its full potential and provide a comprehensive summary of who you are and what you have to offer.

4. Ignoring the "Featured" section.
Similarly, the featured on your LinkedIn profile provides a great way to showcase your work and provide more context to your skills and experience. The "Featured" section allows you to add articles, links, documents, photos, and videos to your profile, providing a more comprehensive view of your professional achievements. By adding relevant content to this section, you can highlight your accomplishments, share your expertise, and demonstrate your thought leadership. This section is an excellent opportunity to show potential employers and clients what you're capable of, and not taking advantage of it can make you appear less competitive in the job market. Therefore, it's crucial to utilize this critical section and add high-quality content that can help you stand out from the crowd and enhance your personal brand.

5. Lack of Personalization.
Many people make the mistake of copying and pasting their resume directly into their LinkedIn profile using the exact same content - you lose a valuable opportunity by doing so. Your LinkedIn profile content should be written in a way that is fun and speaks to your personality. It is far less formal than a resume and can be a great way to stand out in a sea of job candidates. While it's important to maintain a professional tone, adding a touch of humor or personality to your content can help you appear more relatable and approachable. By showing your personality, you can build a stronger connection with potential employers or business partners and make a memorable impression. Fun and engaging content can also make your profile more enjoyable to read, which can increase the likelihood of people spending more time on your profile and learning more about you. Therefore, it's important to add some personality to your LinkedIn profile and make it a reflection of who you are both as a professional and as a person.

6. Overlooking Recommendations and Endorsements.
Recommendations and endorsements are valuable social proof that can boost your credibility and reputation on LinkedIn. Ask your current and former colleagues, supervisors, and clients to write a recommendation for you. You should also endorse your connections’ skills and ask them to endorse yours.

7. Not Engaging with Your Network.
Remember, LinkedIn is a social network, so it’s essential to engage with your connections regularly. Engage with your network by commenting on posts, sharing relevant content, and congratulating connections on their achievements. Engaging with your network can help you build relationships and establish your authority in your industry.

8. Neglecting to Update Your Profile.
Many people make the mistake of neglecting to update their LinkedIn profile regularly. Your profile should be a living document that reflects your current skills and experience. Update your profile whenever you complete a new project, earn a new certification, change jobs, or experience other major wins within your career.

9. Inconsistent Profiles
​Lastly, one of the biggest mistakes people make on LinkedIn is having a profile that lacks consistency. Your LinkedIn profile should be complete and provide a clear picture of your professional identity. It should include your work history, education, and any relevant certifications - but remember these should be consistent with your other collateral - namely your resume. Many people make the mistake of having dates, locations, titles, and other pertinent information that does not match up. This could wave a red flag to employers and also raise questions about your authenticity, honesty, and transparency. Make sure to use consistency for all of your career collateral. 

In conclusion, these are the top 9 mistakes people make with their LinkedIn profiles. By avoiding these mistakes and implementing the solutions outlined in this post, you can improve your visibility and credibility on LinkedIn. Remember, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for professional networking and personal branding, and a well-crafted profile can help you achieve your career goals.

To learn more about how to create or update a LinkedIn profile,  schedule a call today  to speak with one of our career experts.