D is for… Detailed Description

If you are serious about being an active business networker it is very important to also have an updated LinkedIn Profile with a detailed enough description for potential connections to recognise you and reach out following a networking event. This might be by using your Headline or by writing a compelling summary.
While we can also appreciate that a complete and fully detailed LinkedIn Profile can help the job seeker, the recruiter and the self-employed – it can also help the networker. Think about what you talk about at a networking event – the key facts – your name, the company your work for, possibly your role and/or position at the company and location.

Your Headline…

The text under your name on your profile is called your professional headline. Your headline is usually created when you add a new and current position to your profile. You can update your headline by editing your profile and typing the changes into the headline text box. Most people keep the default option – their current job title. This works for most professional jobs.

However, if you are looking to stand out from the crowd and/or do something a bit different you might wish to consider writing something a bit more catchy, or mixing it up on a regular basis.

You might also wish to optimise your headline for searches and to help people find you. This can easily be done by using the most common version of your title that will be more recognisable to people outside of your business and/or industry.

Your Profile Summary…

Your profile summary gives you the opportunity to sell yourself and present a more detailed description.  If possible try not to simply replicate what is on your C.V. The Profile Summary gives you an opportunity to go into more detail and not just leave it blank or merely list your experience. Instead, tell your story.

Here are some great tips for writing a great profile summary for your LinkedIn Profile:

• Three steps to writing the perfect LinkedIn summary
• 7 LinkedIn Profiles that we love (and how to boost your own)
• 5 Templates that’ll make writing a LinkedIn Profile Summary a breeze