The Anatomy of a LinkedIn Profile Makeover (How to Optimize Your Profile)

The Anatomy of a LinkedIn Profile Makeover

(How to Optimize Your Profile)

Headline – Before

www.maribrandsforyou.com @copyright 2015 MGC Ink

1. The Profile Picture appears to be a selfie and doesn’t present a warm vibe. Also, the background is distracting.

2. The Headline is catchy and includes a keyword, but it can be more descriptive.

3. The Location can be broader for search engine optimization purposes.

4. A Birthday (especially birth year) is not necessary to include. Also, it’s still important to protect your personal information from getting in the wrong hands, even on LinkedIn.

5. The Vanity URL was changed from the default, but it should reflect your full name since this link can also be included in your resume.

6. Links were broken due to company name change (Always check your links from time to time to make sure they still work).

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@copyright 2015 MGC Inkwww.maribrandsforyou.com

Headline – After


1. The vibe of the Profile Picture is instantly more welcoming. It’s a great “hello” and the picture does not look like a selfie.

2. The Headline is even catchier and includes more keywords. It also includes more details about her strengths and makes you want to know more.

3. The Location is now broader for search engine optimization purposes.

4. The Birthday was removed.

5. The Vanity URL now includes her full name and is resume-ready.

6. Non-working links were removed and the company’s website link is keyword-optimized.

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www.maribrandsforyou.com

The Headline – In Review

Remove anything with your current title and employer or employment status.

Use as much of the 120 characters needed to capture your brand.

Include keywords and skills that are important in your industry.

Capture your personal brand attributes.

Make someone want to learn more about you.

@copyright 2015 MGC Ink

Summary – Before



The profile has a great start. It is written towards her target audience, but doesn’t show how she is different from other HR recruiters.

Her specialties show that there are a number of things that she is knowledgeable of like “entertainment” and “contract writing”, but it’s not reflected in the summary.

There are also a number of buzzwords included that should be removed.

The Summary has a great start, but it doesn’t show how she is different from other HR recruiters.

Her specialties show that there are a number of things that she is knowledgeable of like “entertainment” and “contract writing,” but it’s not reflected in the summary.

There are also a number of filler terms that can be replaced with actual examples of skills and accomplishments.

Summary – After



The Summary is more detailed and tells a compelling story about her personal brand that is more specific to her target audience.

The buzzwords were replaced with examples that show how she gets things done. These examples show that she is diligent, organized, and can handle a high workload with ease.

Her personal interests are included, which show personality and unique skills that still can be tied to her current role.

An Aka/Misspellings section was added to avoid any confusion when she is googled.

In Review


The Summary – In Review

Don’t copy and paste from your resume.

Tell your story in a compelling way.

Write to your target audience.

Use as much of the 2,000 characters needed to fully capture your brand.

Include keywords that are important in your industry.

Remove any filler buzzwords.


Want more?


Sign up to receive exclusive email updates with more LinkedIn and personal branding tips!Marietta Gentles Crawford, writer + personal brand strategist, helps professionals navigate career transitions. Her goal is to put mediocrity in a chokehold one brand at a time.

©Marietta Gentles Crawford, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Cover page image courtesy of Shella Scarborough/Flickr

http://maribrandsforyou.com/

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The Anatomy of a LinkedIn Profile Makeover (How to Optimize Your Profile)