Research completed for: Microsoft

Research by: Sherri-Ann Wright

Question
What are the best strategies and things you can do today to stand out on LinkedIn?

Insights
Please list the top 3 insights. Bullets preferred.

 Insight 1: Create visually enhancing profile including SEO friendly Bio

 Insight 2: Build connections
 Insight 3: Publish engaging content

Overview
Reference 1 https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-career-expert-reveals-how-to-make-your-profile-stand-
out-2018-4 : Keiron Johnson, LinkedIn’s Career Expert reveals 3 ways to make your profile stand out.

Kieron Johnson, a Buisness Insider Contributor, outlined following an interview with Blair Decemberle, a LinkedIn
Career Expert, three ways of making your profile stand out in 2018. A professional photo should be displayed as
profile photo, as this contributes to the amount of views received. Draft a summary/bio that is well crafted and
showcases one’s qualifications and goals; minimize the amount of buzzwords used to separate one’s self from
others. Finally, be sure to include voluntary work experience as a means of attracting more recruiters to your
profile. In promoting one’s brand on LinkedIn, Decemberle suggests that it is essential to include visuals on profile
and make frequent posts; sharing industry trends and providing insights on top stories are major keys to branding.

Reference 2 https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2018/08/14/7-quick-and-easy-ways-to-immediately-get-
noticed-on-linkedin-while-searching-for-a-new-job/#4e4d526b270e : Jack Kelly, 7 Quick and Easy Ways to Get
Noticed on LinkedIn While Searching for a New Job

In this article, Forbes contributor, Jack Kelly, outlines seven ways of getting noticed by potential recruiters, and
hiring managers on LinkedIn while job hunting. One should attempt to establish at least 500 connections as this
indicates a desire to network/interact with others; your content, comments and contributions to group discussions
will be broadcast to your connections. Inviting people to join one’s network helps with maintaining visibility; use
the medium to promote upcoming events, and like and share content from those within your networks. Create a
SEO (Search engine optimization)-friendly biography, which will enable your profile to stand out in a Google
search; this will require the use of industry preferred buzzwords and jargons. Join over 100 groups and actively
participate to increase reach significantly. Seeking out and connecting with recruiters and hiring professionals
within one’s network can help with job search; this may also extent to former co-workers, alumni, etc. Also,
endorsing people is a gesture that will prompt others to return the favor. Finally, writing and publishing articles on
LinkedIn shows professionalism and intelligence and can also position one as a thought leader in particular niche.

Reference 3 https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/10-ways-to-create-a-winning-linkedin-profile: Tyler

Omoth, 10 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out

Tyler Omoth outlines how one’s LinkedIn profile can stand out to potential employers using 10 easy ways. Chief
among them are: the inclusion of a headshot; utilizing a “catchy” headline which speaks to your specialties and
benefit to company and customers alike; and the insertion of a summary to further expound on the headline. The
advice is to focus not only on past experience but also on what skill sets you have to offer to an employer. Also,
take care in outlining past jobs that are relevant to the career you are crafting out for yourself, including brief
bullets for each job. The article also spoke to the inclusion of visual media that is relevant to your profession;
customizing the LinkedIn URL to make it more memorable; making connections to maintain visibility, requesting
recommendations from those you have worked with; maintain an active page through lively participation and
strengthening the profile rating.

Reference 4 https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/content-marketing/2017/17-
steps-to-a-better-LinkedIn-profile-in-2017 : Jane Fleming, 17 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile in 2017

Jane Fleming shares 17 steps to improving our LinkedIn profile in 2017 as a means of optimizing our personal
brands. Ideal profile and background photos are to be selected. Also include a headline that details your role and
contribution, and a summary detailing your story. The article also discourages against the usage of some overused
adjectives, but encourages the expanding of one’s network, outlining relevant skills and endorses others as this
often preempts others to endorse you. Account holders are also cautioned to edit the skills section of profile as a
means of filtering what skills are highlighted. Additionally, recommendations are great testimonials from those you
worked for previously. Include media/ marketing collateral about your company, and publications you may have
contributed to. Maintain an active account by sharing content, adding comments, and eventually publishing
accumulated posts among your network as well as following industry influencers. Becoming an employee advocate
on LinkedIn will also expand the reach of your entity.

Reference 5 https://www.thestreet.com/slideshow/13892679/1/10-ways-to-make-your-linkedin-profile-stand-
out.html#4 : Kristin Collela, 10 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out

Kristin Collela posits that a LinkedIn Profile be optimized in 10 ways. Develop a headline that is engaging and
incorporates job role, with industry keywords and a branding statement that makes you appealing to potential
employers. Select images that are relevant and appropriate for usage as both profile and background photos. The
profile should have a personal feel; utilizes keywords to make profile easily searchable; and adding adequate
media as a means of illustrating what you are capable of doing. Additionally, request recommendations as a means
of obtaining reviews from past employers or co-workers on your work ethic and character; engage your network
by liking, sharing and commenting on other people’s posts; and being selective about the information is displayed
on your page. The URL can be customized to make it more personable and easier to search. Finally, include
adequate contact details to enable potential employers to reach out.
Conclusion
Sentence 1: What you did.

“We have provided 5 articles on X, referenced below.”

Reference
1. https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-career-expert-reveals-how-to-make-your-profile-stand-out-
2018-4
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2018/08/14/7-quick-and-easy-ways-to-immediately-get-noticed-
on-linkedin-while-searching-for-a-new-job/#4e4d526b270e
3. https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/10-ways-to-create-a-winning-linkedin-profile
4. https://business.linkedin.com/en-uk/marketing-solutions/blog/posts/content-marketing/2017/17-steps-
to-a-better-LinkedIn-profile-in-2017
5. https://www.thestreet.com/slideshow/13892679/1/10-ways-to-make-your-linkedin-profile-stand-
out.html#4

Research provided by EI Bot, courtesy of Microsoft Gig Work

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