Refresh your LinkedIn profile in 5 easy steps
04.02.25 GuidesIt’s time to dust off those cobwebs off your LinkedIn profile and take charge of your personal brand! Whether you’re planning on climbing the career ladder, making a vocational change, or completely overhauling your business identity, refreshing your online presence is a great place to start.
Here are 5 quick and easy steps you can take to enhance your online presence and make LinkedIn a tool that works for you, not against you.
1. Change up your profile picture
When was the last time you updated that headshot? Like it or not, 55% of a first impression is determined by appearance, and the picture you choose might make all the difference between securing a vital connection and being ignored. Here are some top tips for a great profile photo:
- It might sound obvious, but make sure that your photo actually looks like you!
- Ditch the selfies. If you don’t have a recent professional headshot, it could be time to test out your modelling skills. But a well-lit smartphone snap will do also do in a pinch.
- Aim to have your face take up 60% of the space – long distance shots won’t catch anyone’s eye on LinkedIn (leave those for Instagram!)
- Remember to say cheese! Studies have shown that people view you as more likeable, competent, and influential if you’re smiling in your profile picture.
2. Refresh that uninspired headline
After your new shiny headshot, your headline is the next thing people see when they look at your profile. It’s the ultimate opportunity to show off your personal brand and stand out from the herd.
Put yourself in the shoes of someone viewing your profile for the first time. What does your headline tell them? What does it leave out?
A great headline should read like a mini mission statement, encapsulating exactly who you are, what makes you unique, and why people should connect with you. Don’t be afraid of injecting a little personality – emojis are a great way to lighten things up, and a punchy opener invites recruiters and clients alike to keep reading. You have 220 characters to catch someone’s eye – make them count.
3. Personalise your cover image
We know it’s easy to stick with LinkedIn’s default cover image, but it shouldn’t be an afterthought. Our attention span is remarkably short, so it’s super important to choose a cover image with the power to make someone stop scrolling.
Avoid cliché quotes or generic workspace headers – they say nothing about you as an individual (not to mention, they’re boring!). If your company has an eye-catching logo or brand colours, put them front and centre.
Or what about a photo of you in action? Whether it’s you delivering a keynote speech, a dynamic team photo, or typing away at a computer, a personal touch helps make your profile feel more ‘real’.
Whatever you choose, remember to use a high-quality, high-resolution image – you wouldn’t turn up to a job interview disheveled, so why make do with a blurry, badly optimised cover photo? A crisp, well designed header isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, it says everything about your attention to detail, even in the digital realm.
4. Be brutal – personal branding is key
This might seem scary, but if you really want to make your profile pop, it might be time to take it to the cutting room. If something doesn’t add to your overall personal brand, get rid. You’re aiming for snappy, unique, and engaging storytelling that tells the reader everything they need to know about you in a concise and dynamic way.
Making sure your Introduction, Services, and Experience sections work in harmony with each other is a great way to promote what makes you, well, you. What’s your big picture? Whatever it is, your profile should clearly market it.
5. Keep it current
Nothing says unorganised like your contact details being incorrect. Spending just a few minutes making sure the small stuff is right prevents this embarrassment, and this doesn’t just apply to personal information. Have you included all of your recent milestones, changes, and workplace wins from 2024? Any important industry buzzwords you could add?
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can upload your info once and leave it be forever – a great LinkedIn profile is continuously updated and tweaked to reflect your career evolution.
As we really start sinking our teeth into 2025, now is the perfect opportunity to revitalise your online presence. By following the steps we’ve shared, you can breathe some new life into your LinkedIn, and ensure that your profile both reflects who you are and attracts the opportunities you want. So, what are you waiting for? That profile won’t update itself!