Hello Reader,

LinkedIn has become a powerful tool for professionals.

LinkedIn started as an online job portal & resume website where professionals could list their work experience and education. Now it has transformed into a powerful networking tool for professionals. Professionals are using it to connect with other professionals and build their networks.

LinkedIn is way more than a typical social media website such as Facebook.

Professionals in 9-5 jobs use LinkedIn to build their online presence and to attract opportunities.

You can use LinkedIn to interact with other professionals and recruiters. These interactions convert into friendships to build a strong network of like-minded people.

You can get job referrals from your network of people.

Connecting with programmers in other organizations can get early alerts for a new job opening. They can also give your reference in their organization, which increases your chances of getting a job interview and selection.

You can create a lot of opportunities for yourself by building your network.

What you write on your LinkedIn profile is critical for landing a job interview.

Recruiters use LinkedIn to reach out to candidates and attract them to apply for their job openings.

Sometimes hiring manager checks your LinkedIn profile while screening your job application and before or after your job interview. Your LinkedIn profile can provide vital information to hiring managers.

It is also integral that your LinkedIn profile and your resume match each other.

That’s why it is essential to build your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn has many sections to highlight your experience, education, and certification.

Predominant sections of your LinkedIn profile

The top is the most significant area of your profile, and it’s the first thing other people see when they visit your profile.

Use this section to introduce yourself and highlight things you want people to know at a glance. Add a highlight of your career. Also, add what you are looking for in the new job versus just saying what you do in your current job.

Following are various elements of the introduction section.

Profile photo

Use a professional-looking headshot for your profile picture.

Your profile picture is the first thing recruiter, hiring managers, and other people see when they open your profile. When you interact with someone on LinkedIn, they see a thumbnail of your profile picture and your comment.

Remember, LinkedIn is not Facebook or other social networks.

Background Photo

You can keep it simple by selecting one of the banner images provided by LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has created many manner images you could select from. Those banner images represent various interests and personalities. Select one that matches best with your career aspiration. You can highlight your values and career milestones.

Your profile picture & background can help you stand out on LinkedIn to recruiters, future employers, prospective clients, and other members.

You can also use free tools such as Canva to create a banner image.

Headline

The headline is the first thing people see beside your profile picture.

Headline display below your name in the introduction section on your profile and search results. You can use your current job title as your headline. By default, the headline is set to your current position. You can also highlight your job type and the industry you serve.

Alternatively, you can also write the type of job you are looking for.

You can write an aspirational heading in which you can promote your expertise, interest and primary skills. Add keywords such as full stack developer, cloud engineer, c# programmer, and Agile.

You can add what you are most proud of about your job and expertise.

The big three items to include in your headline are industry keywords, your primary job/role and unique skills.

About

In the about section, you can write an answer to the question - “tell me about yourself.”

You may want to highlight why you chose to program as your profession. Highlight your top skills, accomplishments and experience: significant projects and contributions you have made. Add industry-specific keywords. I suggest you write it in a way you would answer in an interview.

Reflect on your personality, strengths and interests.

That is a wrap.

This covers the crucial sections and importance of your LinkedIn profile.

You will have better visibility and discoverability. You will attract recruiters and organizations. Nowadays, professionals are using LinkedIn to build their online presence. You can create your profile, show your talent, highlight your skills and interact with prospective companies.

You will be ahead of millions of other programmers by setting up your profile.

The complete LinkedIn guide is coming later this week.

I am creating a complete LinkedIn guide to release later this week.

This guide will include additional content on engaging with recruiters and other professionals. I will share how you can transform your home page feed to meet your career aspirations. A high-level understanding of how the LinkedIn algorithm can improve your presence and the content you see.

This guide will be FREE to you and all my subscribers.

Please share feedback by replying to this email or sending me a direct message on LinkedIn or Twitter.

See you soon.

Your friend, Vinod​

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