Email Memorandum: 10 best practices for LinkedIn

To: Elton Kok, Richard Chen, Aleem Tariq (Team Undefined)
From: Syed Ahmed
Date: October 26th, 2020
Subject: 10 best practices for LinkedIn

This is to share with you the results of my research on how to make an effective LinkedIn profile. Please find the list as follows:

1. Choosing an appropriate profile picture: Profiles with pictures get 1400% more views from others. The photo should be recent, high resolution, show you smiling and dressed in the clothes you would expect to wear at your desired job.
2. Growing your network: Building your network is key to discovering job opportunities and getting referrals and endorsements. Build your network initially by accessing the people in your contacts list. Subsequently, you can seek to grow your network as you meet professionals in your field. Have at least 50 connections.
3. Skills section: You may have multiple skills but list the ones that are most relevant to your job.
4. Summary section: The ‘summary’ field is front and center in the profile and is a chance for you to present your story. Invest the time needed to come up with a compelling story.
5. Profile Strength Meter: Uses algorithms from LinkedIn to tweak your profile and increase your discoverability in search results.
6. Skills assessment certificates: This provides a verified way to demonstrate your proficiency in key skills.
7. Endorsements: Endorsing the skills of others in your network is a great way to get endorsements in return.
8. Requesting recommendations: Make sure you take the time to personalize your request when reaching out to contacts to request a recommendation.
9. Custom URL: Make an easy-to-remember custom URL for your profile.
10. Using the current job entry field: Enter “full-time student” or “in transition” in current job entry even if unemployed to prevent being screened out of search criteria by recruiters.

These strategies can help you make LinkedIn profiles that are more effective and impactful.

References:

1. Fleming, Jane. “20 steps to a better LinkedIn profile in 2020”. LinkedIn. https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/content-marketing/2017/17-steps-to-a-better-LinkedIn-profile-in-2017. Accessed 26th October 2020.
2. Abbot, Lydia. “10 Tips for Picking the Right LinkedIn Profile Picture”. LinkedIn. https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2014/12/5-tips-for-picking-the-right-linkedin-profile-picture. Accessed 26th October 2020.
3. The Muse Editor. “The 31 Best LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Seekers”. The Muse. https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-31-best-linkedin-profile-tips-for-job-seekers. Accessed 26th October 2020.