Online Networking: LinkedIn Basics

Pick a profile picture

• • This is essential because your headshot is often the first thing people look at when visiting your page. Stand out here with a clear, close-up, professional-looking photo of yourself.

  • LinkedIn recommends your profile photo be 400 (w) x 400 (h) pixels.

  • It’s also a good idea to make this image public so that people searching for your page will be able to recognize you. Go to “Edit public profile and URL” in the top right corner of your profile page and choose “profile photo” to set it as visible to the public.

  • Read more tips on Choosing Your Profile Photo.

Choose a background photo

• • Your background photo is a chance to show more about who you are or what industry you’re in. Think about what will draw attention, but not distract from the rest of your profile. This Forbes article has some great ideas on what kinds of images to use.

  • It’s important to choose a clear image since this banner will span the top of your profile and can be distracting if it’s blurry or grainy. LinkedIn recommends your background photo be 1584 (w) x 396 (h) pixels.
    
    
    

Update your headline

• • It can be tricky to write a headline that’s interesting, relevant, and informative. Keep in mind that you don’t need to say too much here, and it’s not necessary to use full sentences. You want to grab the reader’s attention enough that they continue on to your About section. Try listing a few things about yourself and your experience. Many great LinkedIn headlines will use a vertical bar to separate these items.
    
    A few common things to include are:

    • Your job title (e.g. Freelance Writer or Manager at Bonsai Books)

    • Things you specialize in (e.g. Specializing in Finance or Medical Writer)

    • Certificates or degrees you’ve earned (e.g. Registered Nurse or MBA)

    • A tagline describing yourself or your goals (e.g. Turning complex topics into easy-to-understand copy or Changing the world one SEO-driven line at a time) 

Craft your About section

• • This summary section is where you can add context to things mentioned elsewhere on your page. Give the reader a glimpse of your personality, expertise, and achievements.
    
    Here are a few tips for this section:

    • This is the place to tell the story of you, so don’t be afraid to get a little more personal.

    • Think about what skills or characteristics you have and then highlight them using an anecdote. 

    • Mention your professional interests or experience beyond the context of your current role. It’s fine to talk about what you do currently but think of the bigger picture as well. What are your professional goals?

    • Use keywords relevant to your experience or industry. This helps get your page seen by the right people in search results.

    • There are many ways to structure your About section, so don’t feel like you need to follow a rigid format.

    • Still not sure where to start? Take a look at these 14 profile examples for ideas.
      
      

List your skills

• • This quick, easy step is a great way to get a few additional keywords on your page, while also pinpointing the skills you may have alluded to in your headline and summary section.

    • Think about which of your skills are most relevant to your current goals. You can only add so many (no more than 10 is recommended), so choose carefully and make sure they serve a purpose.

    • Think outside the box. It’s easy to get stuck thinking about what you do every day and forget which skills actually go into it. Maybe you’re in a band, but you're not sure how to list that as one of your professional skills. How about teamwork, merchandising, and self-confidence? 

    • While soft skills (like clear communication and problem-solving) are great, try to add a few hard skills as well. Hard skills include things like keyword research, Microsoft Excel, and data analysis.