are you a linkedin benchwarmer?

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Are you a LinkedIn Benchwarmer?| 12 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE TODAY |

MVP OR BENCHWARMER - WHERE DOES YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE FALL?

LinkedIn didn’t earn the tagline the world’s largest professional networking site from a lack of membership. In fact, the social giant adds about one million new users every week. But like athletes, not all profiles are created equal and some LinkedIn users end up on the sidelines while other professionals reap the real benefits of the site. When it comes to LinkedIn, are you in the game or on the bench?

Take a look at the three most common players in the LinkedIn game and decide how you measure up:

• The Franchise: The Franchise is the advanced LinkedIn user that has revolutionized the social networking game and set the bar for how to present information on a LI profile. This LinkedIn user has detailed every project and achievement in their professional career and has capitalized on LI’s status updates, groups and applications. A true social networking champion, they get real benefits from the networking they do on LinkedIn.

• The Second-Stringer: The Second-Stringer is the middle of the pack LinkedIn user with a respectable profile but falls short of champion status. The SS has spent an hour or two layering in the basics of what they do and the company they do it for, but is comfortable blending in with the crowd and being average when it comes to LinkedIn. When people talk about the potential of the networking site, the SS likes to chip in and say that they haven’t seen the results. Of course, there’s a reason for that.

• The Scrub: The Scrub is the novice LinkedIn user that created a profile because someone at a networking event or an article on Inc.com told them they should. The Scrub is easily spotted by their default picture or lack of profile personalization. Chances are they plugged in their name and industry, hit the manually import resume button and put that task to bed. They haven’t been back to the site since, and their profile is easily marked by single lines of information throughout and a low number of connections.

If you fall short of anything but Franchise status, then you’re in need of an LI game plan like Bill Buckner was in need of a bigger glove. So that’s why we’re serving up a winning platform to take your LinkedIn profile from benchwamer to MVP in this toolkit – complete with screenshots and navigation on updating your profile within LinkedIn.

Not all profiles are created equal and some LinkedIn users end up on the sidelines while other professionals reap the real benefits of the site. When it comes to LinkedIn, are you in the game or on the bench?

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THE PLAYBOOK: 12 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE TODAY

All professional athletes train with a goal in mind. Baseball has the World Series, basketball has the NBA Finals, golf has The Masters, etc. So before you dive into our 12-step plan, it’s key that you first identify your goal for updating your LinkedIn profile:

• Are you a business owner or sales pro looking to showcase your organization and drum up some new clients?

• Are you in the market for a new gig and want to highlight your professional contributions and accomplishments?

• Are you a team player that wants to demonstrate that you’re engaged and invested in your current organization?

Once you’ve identified why you’re updating your profile, work our plan with that goal in mind. Here’s our 12-step plan to becoming a LinkedIn achiever:

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PLAY #1 - GET A COOL PROFILE PICTURE

Do you have one? Because you should. But keep in mind that while a picture is worth 1000 words, a questionable picture is worth 1000 more. Fill the 80x80 pixel box with an image that is flattering and matches the role you currently have - or ultimately want. Working for progressive shop or funky tech firm? Chances are you can get away with a trendy instagramed picture of you in a hoodie. Working for a buttoned up finance firm? We’ll let you make the call.



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PLAY #2 - CREATE AN INTERESTING TAGLINE

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Frame your picture. You need a head and shoulders shot that is a clean likeness of who you are. Don’t do a wider shot than head and shoulders—it won’t work and it will work against you. Worried about your attractiveness level? Instagram filters are a great way to soften what you’re worried about (but probably shouldn’t be).

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Select ‘Change Photo’ in your current image > Upload Image > Adjust within parameters > Save

So you’re an “HR Generalist at Company X” or an “Account Manager at Company Y”. That’s great, I’ve really got a feel for you now! (not) Your tagline should be both interesting and compelling, and it should go a layer deeper than your existing job title. Craft your tagline in a way that prompts a casual passerby to stop and want to dig into the next layer of your profile.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Everybody shows their title and company. We need that, but you’ll get more people reaching out and interested in who you are and what you do if you add some spice to your tagline. Here’s the tagline for one of our recruiters - “Seasoned IT Recruiter, Sports Fanatic, Fitness Hopeful”. Being likeable helps you get more out of LinkedIn.

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Click pen icon on the line under your name> Update text > Save



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PLAY #3 - TELL US WHO YOU ARE BY USING THE SUMMARY

The summary is an above the fold opportunity to sell yourself - not the company you currently work for. Many LinkedIn users violate the purpose of the summary by listing what they currently do at their present company. Take advantage of the summary section’s prime real estate to define yourself on a professional and personal level. Think of the LinkedIn summary as the text based version of your elevator pitch.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Write the summary like you talk. One of our teammates has a summary that begins with the question, “Who am I?”, then proceeds to answer that question from a first person perspective. Entertain us. Tell us how you define yourself without mentioning the fact that you love The Real Housewives. Some things are better left unsaid.

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Click pen icon next to summary to edit summary or click ‘Add Summary’ > Update text > Save



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PLAY #4 - TOPLINE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY

We know, you’ve been patiently waiting for the chance to layer some bullets into your profile, but we’re sorry to say that it’s just not going to happen. While some users may be tempted to copy and paste bullets from their job description into this section, we think you should consider a different approach. Improve a process? Significantly cut spending? That’s the story we want you want to tell. We suggest starting out with a high level overview of the company you work(ed) for and then layer things you have done that have been impactful to that organization. Be sure to create a separate entry for each role you’ve held, even if it was at the same company, and make sure the dates align with your actual resume.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Thinking the experience on your LinkedIn profile needs to look like a resume is a trap. Remember, all you’re trying to do with the LI profile is generate enough interest to generate a call. As recruiters, we’ll always ask you for a resume, so you’ve got time and other opportunities to get your bullets in.

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Click pen icon next to experience > Update text > Save



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PLAY #5 - ADD SOME FLAIR VIA APPS & MEDIA LINKS

There are a number of applications (click to check out their spread) you can install to your LinkedIn profile to further enhance your experience section. Applications like SlideShare and Behance allow you to turn your strictly text-based entries into a living portfolio of your work and past contributions. You can also add media links in LinkedIn’s new profile layout to add some depth to your experience section.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Is there anything more valuable than providing a glimpse of the work you’ve done? We think not. Hit us with a PowerPoint or some code to show us how smart you are.

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Choose which file type you’d like to add under work experience next to ‘Add Media:’ > Upload file or plugin in relative URL to the item you wish to share > Enter a description > Save



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PLAY #6 - GET A VANITY URL

While the topic of personal branding is a whole other paper in itself, LinkedIn provides users with a great tool to get started in the right direction through vanity URLs. Replacing the gibberish of numbers and symbols associated with the destination of your profile with your actual name increases your chances of being found by a search engine. Vanity URLs are also a key way to connect with other users post networking events, because let’s be honest, who actually uses business cards anymore?

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Getting a vanity URL means that you get the marketing potential of LinkedIn. While we’re always going to submit your full resume and expanded thoughts to our clients, what happens when you market yourself? Wouldn’t you rather have a URL you can send to people that looks like your name and not some 10-inch wide javascript that looks like it came from a buried page on Amazon?

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Under ‘View Profile As’ button, hover over URL and click cog icon > Click pen icon in upper right next to ‘Your public profile URL’ > Edit with your name > Save



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PLAY #7 - BEEF UP WITH BACKLINKS

For the non-technical readers, backlinks are any link received by a web page or search engine from another web page and are a main driver in SEO (search engine optimization). Translation: this is a good thing for you and the pages that you’re sharing, so you should take advantage of the three free backlinks LinkedIn gives you.

To claim your backlinks visit the “Websites” section of your profile under “Contact Info”. We recommend sharing any other social profiles - like your Twitter handle or personal blogs - if you have them in this section first. If you have links leftover, share your company’s website or social profiles, or if you’re a recruiter, share any career opportunities you may be working on. When setting up your backlinks you also want to avoid LinkedIn’s stock options like “Blog” or “Company Website” and instead select “Other” in the editor menu. Using the “Other” function allows you to add custom text to your profile and create calls to action for the links you’re sharing.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Our favorite backlinks give us even more line of sight to who you are professionally and show a commitment to your chosen professional field. What are you doing on the side to stay sharp in your profession? Links please.

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Select ‘contact info’ tab under your connections count > Select the pen icon next to Twitter or Websites > Update accordingly > Save



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PLAY #8 - LAYER IN INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

What you do outside of work tells a story about the type of employee/leader you are. For example, someone that wakes up at 6:00 am on Saturday to train for marathon is most likely hardworking and dedicated to achieving success. Listing your affiliation with professional and civic organizations also tells viewers that you’re dedicated to your craft enough to give up your free time to further your personal/professional development. The bottom line? Extracurricular activities matter.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Interests and activities are the jump balls of life. When there’s a selection process going on and all other things are equal, we’re wired as humans to go with the deeper individual on paper, even if the interests and activities have nothing to do with the job. You climbed Mt. Everest last year? Find an alumni association for special people like you, join - then link to it. The jump ball when you’re even with another candidate will go to you - after all, you climbed Mt. Everest!

Now You Do It: Profile > Edit Profile > Click ‘View More’ (above experience) > Click to add > Update text > Save



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PLAY #9 - JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS

LinkedIn allows you to join up to 50 groups, and we recommend that you take advantage of their offer by joining all 50 of those groups. LinkedIn Groups allow you to connect with liked-minded professionals around the world to share ideas, build relationships for future career opportunities and stay up to date on industry trends and insights.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: Groups equal opportunity. Recruiters like us have a better chance of finding you if you join multiple groups, and it’s also a branding exercise for you - it shows us you’re interested in more than the basic 9 to 5.

Now You Do It: Next to the search widget, select ‘Groups’ from the drop down menu > Enter in a word that relates to the group(s) you want to join e.g. ‘marketing’ > Click the search icon > Join groups from the list that populates



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PLAY #10 - SHARE WHAT YOU’RE READING AND WORKING ON VIA UPDATES

Once you’ve established your profile and have started building your network, give those connections a reason to pay attention to you by sharing interesting articles through the updates box on your homepage.

Kinetix Recruiters Say: The easiest way to generate interest from others and separate yourself from the pack is to share updates. Do this 4-5 times a day and you’ll be in the 99th percentile of all LinkedIn users. Share quality info from your profession, company or industry and valuable connections and conversations will follow.

Now You Do It: From your LI homepage (not your profile) locate your ‘Share an Update’ box > Attach a relative URL via ‘Attach Link’ > Add supplemental text describing the shared article > Share



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Kinetix Recruiters Say: We encourage you to reach out to people you’d like to recommend you via email or phone and get their agreement to recommend before inviting them to do so via LinkedIn. Our experience is that you’ll get a more robust recommendation by doing it that way. Your goal should be to get 3-5 people per company you’ve worked for to recommend you. There’s power in showing the titles and profile pics of those recommending you on your profile, regardless of the actual content of the recommendation.

Now You Do It: Profile > Click dropdown arrow beside ‘View Profile As’ > Ask to be Recommended > Complete form > Send

PLAY #11 - REACH OUT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Now that you have a profile worth sharing, reach out to former co-workers, employers and leaders to shine some praise on your past achievements. Recommendations are a quick snapshot for potential employers or clients to gauge your work and are more frequently being accepted as first-level references.



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As you move through phases or your career and professional life, make sure you update your profile to reflect those achievements. You should also be looking for new people connect with via LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” function, networking events, groups or new interactions in your daily role.

PLAY #12 - KEEP IT FRESH AND CONNECT

Kinetix Recruiters Say: If you joined LinkedIn back in 2008 and are still sitting at 72 connections, then chances are you’re not maximizing your opportunity to network and connect. The number of connections you have on LinkedIn tell us that you’re not committed to the game. But wait - we can help. Download the LinkedIn Connector for Outlook (click this link to download now) and every time someone sends you an email, invite them to connect via the one-click functionality it provides. It’s the simplest way to build your network quickly. Do it today.

Now You Do It: Hover over pending invitations in top right > Select ‘See All’ next to ‘People You May Know’ > Add connections



The team over at LinkedIn has provided a ticker to tell you how complete your profile is. Does your meter read at 100% (old profile layout) or “All-star” (new profile layout)? What about your team’s?

Directions: Use this checklist, in conjunction with the Playbook we’ve laid out, to determine where you, or your team, stand on the LinkedIn Leaderboard. We’ve gone ahead and layered in some Coach’s Notes as quick reference points from our Playbook to help you evaluate whether you’ve “scored” or “missed” in updating each section of your LinkedIn profile.

LinkedIn Play Coach’s Notes Score or Miss

Get a Cool Profile Picture

Pictures are a non-negotiable and should be both flattering and approachable. Key takeaway - you want your picture to work for you, not against you.

Create an Interesting Tagline

Dig a layer deeper than your current job title and craft a tagline that evokes what we call the likeability factor.

Tell Us Who You are by Using the Summary

Capitalize on the prime real estate to sell yourself, not the company you work for. Use a conversational tone and keep it light, yet professional.

Topline Experience in a Meaningful Way

Resist the urge to copy and paste in a list of resume bullets. Instead focus on the impact you have/had in the role, in a way that generates interest from future employers or clients.

Add Some Flair with Applications

Flex your smarts in a visual way by layering in past PowerPoints, code you’ve created, etc. through the use of LI’s Apps spread.

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THE LEADERBOARD: A LINKEDIN CHECKLIST FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM



Get a Vanity URL

Market yourself by replacing the stock java gibberish that auto-populates when you create your profile with your actual name.

Beef Up with Backlinks

Highlight your dedication to the game you’re in by sharing links to other social profiles, blogs or work you’ve completed.

Layer in Interests & Activities

Extracurriculars matter and are often the tipping point between candidates tied for a career or partnership opportunity.

Join the Right Groups

Join all 50 of the groups LI allows you to be a member of. Groups paint a picture of your interests and often open the door to networking and new gigs.

Share What You’re Reading and Working on via Updates

Separate yourself from the pack by sharing relevant industry content and insights with your connections. Set a goal of 3-5 shares per day and you’ll quickly launch yourself into the 99th percentile of LI users.

Reach Out For Recommendations

Recommendations are quickly becoming accepted as first-level references. Reach out to professional contacts and stack your profile with praise.

Keep it FreshAvoid throwback status by continually updating and enhancing your LI profile. Ongoing

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THE CLOSER

LinkedIn profiles have become a widely accepted first round elimination tool for recruiters and HR professionals researching candidates for employment or partnership opportunities.

So what’s it going to be....

Are you going to use our 12-step guide to maximize your profile’s potential and avoid getting cut in the first round?

Or are you going keep warming the LinkedIn bench?

Kinetix is the recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) firm for growth companies. We exist to help you become the biggest thing that ever walked the planet. Your company is good at what you do – and you know it. But you also know you can’t hire good people fast enough to keep up with your growth. That’s why you’re here.

And that’s what we do. You’ve got the product or service. We’ll bring you the people. Our clients never need to worry that their growth will be slowed by an inability to acquire and retain the best talent.

Kinetix is different because we include HR Consulting hours with every RPO engagement we do. We can help your company’s managers become better interviewers, and we can show you how to eliminate bad hires by securing brains/behavior/processing speed data on every candidate through our Talent DNA program.

We don’t just slam candidates to you. We help your organization learn how to determine who the best candidate is for the job. For real.

What a concept, right? Visit our website and learn more about what we do and how we do it. Check out the profiles of what makes our team tick. If you want to keep growing, you’ve come to the right place.

Call us today at 770.390.8370 to kick it around and learn more about how we can help you look like a star.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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LinkedIn profiles have become a widely accepted first round elimination tool for recruiters and HR professionals researching candidates for employment or partnership opportunities.

are you a linkedin benchwarmer?

Recruiting & HR