LinkedIn Profile Checklist

Posted on December 24, 2009

Wayne Breitbarth

Hola-

I recently helped out at a JobCamp which is like a Job fair but without the employers but with lots more learning going on than your typical job fair and thus more people were in attendance which tells me people are really starving for knowledge especially those who have not been in the job market for some time. My job was to review profiles and give the attendees a quick check up so I thought I might share that with you as a reminder of what things go into an effective profile. Use the list as a checklist to make sure you have all of your bases covered. Here goes:

The Beefier the Better-Why?

Keyword Search ability & Telling Your Story

Clean name (Maiden name and specific certifications ok, no email or phone number)
Picture (Professional headshot with smiles)
Professional headline (IT Professional seeking employment in ……..; make sure they can tell what you or your company does)
List All Jobs descriptively (Searching & Tell Story)
Recommendations (2-3 for every job listed)
Vanity URL (http://www.linkedin.com/in/johndoe)
Three websites (Rename descriptively)
Summary & Specialties (2000 characters for keywords and telling story; Complete in Word, spell check and paste)
Groups (Join them and be active)
Applications (Box.net files; word, excel & pdf Files and Slide share for PowerPoint)

GET AT LEAST 100 CONNECTIONS

Wildcard Tip or Question--

Since a lot of my training has to do with the power of networking using Linkedin or otherwise I thought I would share with you a powerful tool for a test on just how good of a networker you really are. This tool comes from the author Thom Singer who wrote "Some Assembly Required" which I highly recommend. His test is called the Networking Quotient and can be taken at: http://www.networkingquotient.com. I have used this test over the last three years, taking it three times to see if I am improving at the "lifeblood" of my business, networking and meeting new people.

Give it a try and share it with your networking groups. (My score has improved from 36-42, still no where near the highest category of "Expert Networker".....I'm working on it!

Miscellaneous News and Notes--

Here is my upcoming schedule for teaching/speaking so you can share with friends, relatives and business associates. Follow link for additional details and registration information.

Thurs Jan 14, 2010-LinkedIn Power Formula Training for Beginners

At M&M Office Interiors; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

http://linkedinpowerformula.eventbrite.com

Wed Jan 27, 2010- Intermediate LinkedIn Power Formula Training

At M&M Office Interiors; 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

http://intermediatelinkedinpowerformula.eventbrite.com