As more and more small, medium, and large organizations are learning that Social Media Is Not A Fad, their leaders and employees are understanding the power of LinkedIn to increase the chances they can be found online as the “Go-To Source” for products, services and expertise.
I depend on my friend and fellow blogger Suzanne Vara for the latest updates to LinkedIn and many other social media sites. She was profiled by social media top influencer Chris Brogan in a special post: You need a Suzanne Vara.
Here is her recent article on LinkedIn’s latest update:
LinkedIn Enhances Profiles With New Customizations
Guest Post by Suzanne Vara [first published on October 19, 2010 in her blog]
LinkedIn has enhanced profiles with new customization categories to showcase your skills and accomplishments rather than having them get buried within your summary. These new add-on customization categories are geared towards users who have been published, received patents, certifications, licenses and accreditations as well as those that are multi-lingual. Standing out above the crowd has never been more essential in today’s job market where we are seeing an increase in those looking for and applying for jobs. LinkedIn profiles are not only resource for job seekers to connect with key employees on LinkedIn but also for hiring personnel to gain additional information about a prospect prior to contacting for an interview.
LinkedIn New Profile Customizations
Your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to position yourself through a very detailed summary. However, we know that too many times the summary is not always read completely and trying to keep it up to date and focus on the key points is not easy. The new customizations help to remove some very pertinent information, which you can semi-customize your profile and decide where it will appear within your profile.
1. Multi-Lingual. This section allows you to choose the languages that you speak and your fluency level.
2. Skill Set. Add specific skills with your level of proficiency in each skill for users to easily identify. This is extremely helpful to hiring managers as well as those who are looking to promote their business as users can quickly review the skill set to match to their needs.
3. Certifications, Licenses and Accreditations. Received any industry specific certifications, licenses or accreditations that are essential to performing your job? This section is a simple listing of these items so that you can showcase them on your profile for all to see. Generally these were placed in education, honors and awards or interests where they did not necessarily belong.
4. Publications. This addition has to be one of the most useful for those that have been published as you are able to not only list the publication, provide a brief summary but also add the url to the publication.
5. Patents. Inventors are really embracing this customization as whether you have received a patent or it is still pending, you can add this to your profile.
These new profile customization enhancements are very user friendly and self explanatory as well as being extremely functional. They are easily dragged and dropped to where you want them to appear on your profile under the blue box of course. Removing this information from your summary will allow you to create a very powerful summary that delves deeper into your experience and offerings.
Now to work on a new summary …
photo credit: patent photo, LinkedIn blog
(all other photos are from my personal profile)
Would you like MORE help to maximize your profile? Check out my previous article with a worksheet AND link to full “lesson”: http://sharisax.com/2010/08/19/7-minutes-to-empowering-your-linkedin-profile/
Shari,
Thanks for this update on LinkedIn. I have had a profile there for quite awhile. Several months ago, I learned the value of adding keywords in each of the sections on this site to improve my visibility to other linkedin members. Now I will check out what you have just suggested. I agree with Adam that many online gurus say that people are more interested in how I can help them, how I might help their health or their relationships, but publications – articles and books can also be viewed by them as helpful. And at least it situates me as a credible expert.
Erica
Shari,
Thanks so much for sharing this enhanced feature of LinkedIn! I certainly have a few credentials that I could include. Though some of the “gurus” believe that potential clients are more interested in HOW I can help them as a relationship coach and couples counselor than my credentials. Why not have both though, eh?
Thanks again,
Adam
Adam, sometimes [as I tell my English writing students] “less is more” — but not always. So on LinkedIn and other social media platforms “MORE is MORE” as long as it is truthful, authentic, sincere, and useful.
🙂
Thanks for the very informative post. When I first came online, I thought everything was about Twitter and Facebook, and I disregarded LinkedIn. Well, I’ve got to tell you, LinkedIn is becoming one of my favorites. Thanks for the updated info.
Angela, I “hear” you, and I think you can see that now so much of my blogging is about LinkedIn. For business people, it is the new MUST!
Hi Shari,
Fantastic tips on LinkedIn! Next to Twitter, it’s one of my favorite networks and have returned solid traffic to my blog. I use the groups actively to submit my latest blog posts but also to interact and offer tips when appropriate.
Thank you for sharing such awesome tips!
Janette Stoll
Janette, my feeling is that small business people need to BEGIN their social media strategy by maximizing their LinkedIn profiles. Simply putting in the effort on this platform will pay off huge rewards in the World of Search. LinkedIn is a highly respected social media site, and scores and scores and scores of LI members find new business clients, vendors, and collaborators on a daily basis.
Thanks. I added my book and while I was there edited a few other things.
Cool, Steve, you remind me that I ought to add a link to my other LinkedIn articles — especially the one to help everyone MAXIMIZE the summary part of your profile: http://sharisax.com/2010/08/19/7-minutes-to-empowering-your-linkedin-profile/
Shari,
Awesome! It’s important to stay on top of all of the changes and new features available at social media sites so I appreciate you sharing this. LinkedIn really seems to be moving toward adding a lot more value than being a place to post your ‘resume’ online. Have a great weekend! Allegra
Excellent post on enhancements a time-challenged person like me would be hard-pressed to find or figure out. Great job!
So glad that Suzanne’s article can help you.
🙂