linked in checklist

LINKEDIN CHECKLISTby Ingrid Goldbloom Bloch

SETTINGSI have customized my URL?I have turned my Activity Broadcasts to Off I have reviewed the settings guide

PHOTOI have an appropriate photoI am looking at the cameraI look warm and friendlyMy face is framed in the photoThe background isn’t distractingNo one else has been cropped outI am wearing appropriate attire

*You can be creative in your photo if it is appropriate to your field. E.G. a marine biologist on a boat holding a fish

HEADLINEMy headline is searchable by key wordsMy headline demonstrates my valueMy headline is eye catching and engagingMy headline is not simply a job titleMy headline demonstrates how someone will benefit from working with me. What skills they will get. What problems I will solve.

Public policy research and analysis | community outreach | Public policy advocate

Cross-Sector Communications and Marketing Strategist | MA Candidate in Sustainable International Development

SUMMARYMy Summary is written in the first personMy Summary backs up statements made in my headlineMy Summary tells people exactly what I do or want to doMy Summary gives examples of how I do what I doMy Summary has a call to action

o A clearly specified next step (who do you want to connect with or meet, type of organization you hope to join and how you can be reached

LINKEDIN CHECKLIST

ALL STAR STATUSI have done the following to achieve all-star status:

o Listed at least 5 skills (you can have up to 50)o I have at least 50 connections (strive for 500)o I have a completed Summaryo I have selected an industry, postal code and location

GAINING VISIBILITYI have populated my LinkedIn Profile with Keywords (Summary, Skills, Interests)I consistently write personalized invitations to ask for connectionsI have joined Groups appropriate to my fieldI share in discussions and post questions to my groupsI have joined Pulse

o Follow key influencerso Follow key trendso Follow publications

I post status updatesI share relevant articles with groups and connections

JOB SEARCHI ask my 1st degree connections for introductions through a personalized requestI reverse search for jobs

o Company nameo Employees on LinkedIno Your degree of separation form key employeeso Request introductions through your contact that knows someoneo Follow-through

CONTINUING EDUCATIONI listen to LinkedIn’s WebinarsI Google LinkedIn experts and read their adviceI have looked at books (LinkedIn for Dummies)I take notes on profiles I like and make adjustments