linkedin profile tips Archives

Do you use Photos to Express your Personal Brand?

Mark got a job!!! A wonderful job that was exactly what he wanted. He said the background photo he chose for his LinkedIn profile made the difference in separating him from all the other candidates. Mark added a background photo of his son playing baseball. The hiring manager also has a son playing Little League baseball. That photo became a great conversation starter!

What does your LinkedIn profile say about you? Does your LinkedIn profile offer anything interesting for someone to latch on to as you network for a new opportunity? If you do not have a good answer to either of these questions, perhaps you are missing an opportunity.

LinkedIn offers us a perfect opportunity to create a personal brand describing “you” as a person, “you” as a professional and “you” as a future asset to some organization. What will you do about this opportunity?

My profile background photo describes the books I have written using the colors that make up my brand along with my logo. My personal background photo is the same as my company background photo and is consistent with my website, www.InterviewDoc.com. Maybe it is easier when you have your own business but everyone can do this.

I have some great examples:

A federal employee responsible for building government buildings used pictures of the artwork at her favorite construction project.

A marketing person has a gorgeous picture of her ancestral home in Korea.

A client starting his own technical consulting business has his logo and colors on a background of stars.

What image represents the brand you are putting out there? Be like Mark and create a solid, consistent, interesting personal brand that attracts people TO your profile! This wonderful article can walk you through it – How to Create a Custom LinkedIn Background.

If you struggle with the answer to the always asked Job Interview question, “Tell Me About Yourself”, then you should download our free guide, the Tell Me About yourself Worksheet to answering that question. It is based on these 5 words to describe yourself so start with this guide to having an answer that flows off your tongue every time!

Stop fumbling with your words and get clear and confident on your answer with the “Tell Me About Yourself” worksheet.

I receive at least ten LinkedIn invitations a week. Some of these folks I know, some I do not know.

Some of the people are not US based, hailing from all over the world. Many of the folks who ask to connect with me have only a few LinkedIn connections. I am glad to be part of their LinkedIn expansion.

I wonder sometimes what makes these nice folks to want to connect with me. We might never know the answer to that question. It is interesting to consider how to increase your LinkedIn reach.

I think it has to do with being approachable. Here are some ideas to make your LinkedIn profile reflect your best possible self:

Sound like someone people will want to talk to. Your profile should be in the first person. Pretend you are at a business cocktail party. What story do you want to tell so people will remember you? Be sure your profile shares your story in the way you want.
Have something to offer or say. Actively demonstrate through attachments and accomplishments what you have done and what you have to offer to people who connect with you.
Be interesting and authentic. Don’t pretend to be something you are not. Be proud of what you have done. You can choose to be boring or you can choose to be interesting. Which person do you want to talk to?
Have a friendly photo. Don’t just take a quick selfie. Get a professional photo wearing professional looking clothing and hair style that reflects the role you want. Studies show you get a better response with a picture in which you are smiling and making good eye contact.
Be visible. Be active in Groups. Comment and participate in conversations about subjects with which you are familiar. Reach out and engage your connections in conversations.
Build relationships. Uncover how you can be helpful then reach out with information and ideas that other people can use. Exchange emails with your connections about ideas that are important in your profession or ask questions about situations in other people’s profiles. It will be hard for other people to resist responding.

It is commonly believed that if you have no expectations of return when you give information or your time, then you will receive more than you give. Maybe not immediately but eventually you will reap the rewards of more connections and stronger relationships that lead to opportunities you cannot imagine today.

It all starts with the impression of openness you leave from your LinkedIn profile. What can you do today to make your profile more open and approachable?

Express Your Personal Brand in Photos

Do you use Photos to Express your Personal Brand?

Create an Approachable LinkedIn Profile

I receive at least ten LinkedIn invitations a week. Some of these folks I know, some I do not know.

It all starts with the impression of openness you leave from your LinkedIn profile. What can you do today to make your profile more open and approachable?