LinkedIn Profile for Professionals and Company Leaders

You have the responsibility to manage your LinkedIn account. Learn about the user agreement, privacy and settings, character counts, and image specifications. Download the LinkedIn Account PDF document in this lesson to save valuable resource links.

Save a PDF copy of your profile before you begin making edits so you will have access to wording in case you need to refer back. You can also use the PDF to view your own personal before and after comparison.

Do you want to broadcast your profile changes to your network? Learn about the pros and cons as well as the settings to turn this feature on or off.

The words you use in your profile make a big impact. Not only will people be able to find you in search, but you will also be creating an immediate impression with your language choices. Download a list of power verbs for your profile.

LinkedIn has some nooks and crannies. Learn the basics of how to edit your LinkedIn profile that you can apply to all the lessons.

A complete profile is displayed in LinkedIn searches more often. Learn the key elements that are required to optimize your profile.

People will search for you by name on LinkedIn, so be sure to accurately display the common name that you use. There are also some key do's and don't about the name field that all LinkedIn users need to know. Consider leveraging two name options: Gender pronouns and audio name pronunciation.

Your LinkedIn profile can appear in Google and other searches. You have the power to decide exactly what will appear outside of LinkedIn. You can also customize your URL to be more findable and to appear savvier as a user.

Do you have a website? Learn to display an image and link from your LinkedIn profile. Help your customers and prospects find you on LinkedIn!

People often search for people by using the geography and industry search filters. Learn how to optimize the location and industry fields in your profile.

Freelancers can now create a unique services page to showcase their services. This provides greater visibility as users can now perform a search for services. Learn to create this page, share your services, and display customer reviews.

Hiring managers and recruiters have the opportunity to be more visible and appealing to prospective candidates. Learn how you can leverage a basic LinkedIn profile for hiring.

You want to include ALL of your email addresses in your LinkedIn account to avoid the problem of mistakenly creating a duplicate account. Learn how to add, change, prioritize and display your email address for maximum effect.

More people will be looking at your LinkedIn profile, so you want to be sure that they can easily reach you! Learn to optimize all the contact information fields.

Your education is an important field in your profile and the key to much of your potential networking. Learn best practices for entering your education information into LinkedIn.

Your work experience is often the meatiest part of your LinkedIn profile. There are many ways to display your work. Tune into this lesson to learn best practices about work experience related to the structure, search, portfolio career entries, present vs past, and adding media.

Your skills section needs to be more targeted and strategic! Select the best skills to attract prospects, partners, clients, and candidates to your profile.

Licenses and certifications add immediate credibility, so you want to learn how to display them best.

LinkedIn recommendations are powerful social proof. People increasingly rely on third-party testimonials. Learn how to get and give recommendations to add to your profile.

Make a wonderful first impression! The LinkedIn Introduction card is located at the top of your profile and serves as that spot to create that impression. Learn how to enhance and leverage your introduction card.

Your headshot photo is an important element in that first impression, and displays in your Introduction card. Learn what makes a great photo and how to upload it.

Your headline is not just your job title. Your headline offers you a bigger opportunity to set the tone for your personal brand. You are creating impressions and the headline is a major factor! In addition, the headline is one of the most important places to use keywords for optimal search. Download headline examples with the lesson PDF after watching the video.

LinkedIn offers us the chance to add a powerful image behind our personal photos. This profile feature is known as a background banner. This is a wonderful opportunity to create an impression and tie relevant visuals to our brand. Download the lesson PDF to learn how to create your own banner after watching this video lesson.

Yes, you can write about yourself, and more importantly, you should! The About essay is a golden opportunity to position yourself most effectively. This one section is the best way to really differentiate yourself against all the other folks who are in a similar role or profession. Download essay examples after watching this video lesson.

Your professional organizations and volunteer work can impress your profile viewers and help you build a network. Learn best practices for sharing your volunteering, organizations, and the causes you care about on LinkedIn.

Are you a writer? Or has someone quoted or mentioned you? Consider using the Publications section in LinkedIn. Learn how to add and display your publications in your profile.

Awards, Patents, and Projects are impressive! If you have an interesting award, project, or patent now ( or patent pending), you will want to add them to your LinkedIn profile.

Learners are earners. Continuous learning fuels success! Consider adding your courses to your LinkedIn profile. Learn about courses and test scores, and how to be selective and strategic in what you include in your profile.

If you speak multiple languages, you have two great options to leverage on LinkedIn. Learn to display your languages on your LinkedIn profile. Go a step further, and consider creating a second language profile.

Featured content offers an amazing opportunity to be visual and highlight your best content! Learn how to select and add your content for prominent display on your profile.

Take advantage of the new LinkedIn Analytics section in your profile.

LinkedIn recently added a "Weekly Activity Tracker" (located inside the Analytics section).  Use this feature to measure yourself each week.

This is one of Sandra's favorite new LinkedIn profile features! YOU have the power to optimize the positioning of your content on your profile now.

Your profile is all set but now is the time to do an appearance and quality check. Let's make sure you are creating the best impression possible. Learn how to easily share your profile in a direct message.

Your LinkedIn account is your responsibility in terms of compliance and privacy. Be sure to follow your industry and company guidelines and represent yourself professionally at all times.

Now that your profile is looking its best, you are ready to get connected and referred!