It's no secret that if you want to get a job, hire great talent or network with the best, then LinkedIn is a solid place to start.
However, it's surprising to see how many people still make mistakes on their LinkedIn profile.
It may be costing you a job, money and reputational capital.
Here are 5 mistakes on your LinkedIn profile that you must remove immediately.
1. Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
It's the first thing that jumps out in a LinkedIn profile: your photo.
While you don't need a professional glam shot, make sure your photo not only represents who you are, but also who you want to become.
If you're trying to be an investment banker, don't wear sunglasses in your LinkedIn profile photo.
If you're gunning for a top law job, don't take a picture in a t-shirt with your cat.
If you have no photo, a grainy photo or a cropped group photo, it’s also time for a LinkedIn profile photo update.
Most importantly, remember your audience. Your profile may be viewed by existing and potential connections, including recruiters and employers. Ensure that the profile photo you exhibit reflects your character.
The best LinkedIn profile photo is a straight-on head shot looking straight in the camera from the shoulder above.
That said, can you still be creative with your LinkedIn photo and go a different route? Absolutely. Make sure it reflects you and the job you want.
2. Your LinkedIn Job Title
Consider your name, profile photo and job title the LinkedIn triumvirate.
Any LinkedIn viewer naturally will gravitate to these three areas when reviewing your profile.
Make sure that your title is eye-catching, but appropriate and clear for what you do.
Avoid using vague terms like "entrepreneurial leader" or "results-oriented finance professional."
Hopefully, everyone is focused on producing results so no need to waste the space.
Instead, either preferably use your job title or something more concrete to describe what you do.
Don't leave this area blank. If you're looking for new opportunities, it's ok to say so, but do so with specificity.
3. Your LinkedIn bio
If you ever wanted to tell your story, this is your opportunity.
Your LinkedIn bio is your opportunity to provide more details about how you have added value in your career.
The keyword here is value.
Yes, you can list your job functions. The more interesting part, however, is how you contributed and the impact you made.
Importantly, don't disclose proprietary or confidential information. For example, don't upload presentations or spreadsheets that you prepared from a previous employer.
"My presentation skills are off the charts. Check out this deck I made when I worked at Google."
"No one builds better spreadsheets. Keep scrolling for the monster spreadsheet I did at Amazon."
4. Your LinkedIn Job Descriptions
The point of LinkedIn job descriptions is not to provide a laundry list of the random companies where you worked.
Rather, find a common theme or way to weave together your professional story.
What are the common elements in your employers and roles? Are they in the same industry? Why did you move from one employer to the next? If you changed careers, make sure your "story" reflects the underlying reasons why.
This is not a place to brag, but to make people care.
5. Your LinkedIn Network
The quality of your LinkedIn network is more important than your number of connections.
There many people on LinkedIn who like to broadcast how many connections they have.
Whether you have 500 or 10,000 connections, cultivate LinkedIn connections not only within your industry, but across industries from whom you can learn.
Don't just connect with people and stop there. Provide advice. Help your current connections grow and leverage your knowledge. Help your connections find career opportunities. Make it a symbiotic relationship.
Final Thoughts
Your LinkedIn profile is a prime opportunity to bring your resume to life.
Be authentic. Be yourself. Tell your story.
