LinkedIn top 10 profile suggestions for improving brand strength

1. Headline
   The LinkedIn Headline appears just below your name on the profile page. You are limited to 120 characters so you should decide if you would like to use your job title, job status, or a string of key words that describe your talents, expertise, and goals.
    

2. Profile picture/banner
   People remember what they see—and your network wants to see you! When it comes to your profile picture keep the following in mind:

   - Professional (jpg, gif, png)
   - Smile and look directly into the camera
   - Photo can reflect industry (music vs. banking)
   - Mistakes: unprofessional, distracting, or no photo
   
   The banner reflects your expertise, interests, industry, and values. Tippie School of Business provides sample banners to students, staff, and alum.
    

3. Industry
   When recruiters conduct advanced searches for candidates on LinkedIn, they often filter results by industry. When creating or updating your profile, make sure to add the industry that best applies to your current career or the field you are trying to move into.
    
4. Publish/Media
   You may not be a professional writer but writing on LinkedIn (even a short blog-type post) is a fantastic opportunity to be seen as a leader in your space. The Frank Business Communications Center is an outstanding resource for Tippie students. Another straightforward way to contribute to the platform is sharing articles and news of interest. It does not need to be original content to get attention.
   
   Chances are no one’s really “reading” your profile—they are skimming it. Do you know what will make them more likely to stay on your page? Adding media—whether it is a link to a blog post you wrote, a PowerPoint presentation or a video of you speaking at an event. Plus, having real-life examples of your work will only boost your credibility.
    
5. Summary & keywords
   The LinkedIn Summary is a wonderful place to describe yourself professional. The summary is the digital equivalent to your elevator pitch—2,000 characters; readable in 10-15 seconds. It is completely appropriate to write in the first person, “I” statements are inviting and a little more casual. Also, remember that on a mobile device (phone or tablet) and on a computer (laptop or desktop), that the first two lines of text (or less) of your Summary Section is all that people will see when they first look at your LinkedIn Profile. 
   
   For this reason, your first two lines are the most important for enticing readers into clicking 'Show more.' The summary is your opportunity to tell potential connections who you are and what you want to do. Tippie encourages you to speak to what you can do for a particular company, you will write about your passion for your chosen industry, talents, and key skills. It is your opportunity to share little personal history or context.
    
6. Details
   Customized URL:
   - The 'Me' icon (top right), view profile, edit public profile & URL
   - Under EDIT your custom URL, click the pencil/Edit icon 
   - an address that looks like www.linkedin.com/in/yourname
   - Type additions to your custom URL and SAVE
    
7. Skills & endorsements
   You control this—you can pick the skills, delete, and rearrange this section. Your first step is to list 5-6 select skills that suit your career direction. I would suggest that you think about the classes, work and volunteer experiences, and skills you are enhancing as a University of Iowa student.
    

8. Relevant groups
   LinkedIn Groups are an incredible resource—and they can do wonders for your job search. By joining groups relevant to your profession or industry, you will show that you are engaged in your field. But more importantly, you will instantly be connected to people and part of relevant discussions in your field—like an ongoing, online networking event. Following people who are in roles or companies that you admire share professional advice regularly. Consider it a virtual mentor.

   Similar interests or common ground:
   - University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business 
   - Industry, Roles/Professions, Expertise
   - Similar interests or common ground (i.e., sustainability)
   - Join Tippie Career Services on LinkedIn
    

9. Experiences—professional and volunteer
   The trick is to break apart your responsibilities and accomplishments into bullet lists. For each position you have held, write one or two sentences about the position, and then think of four to five responsibilities and/or accomplishments and put them in list format. This will fill out your profile nicely and make it easy for potential employers to read. It can be shorter and more casual than your resume. Do not forget about your volunteer experience, projects, and certifications. If you have them, add them!
    

10. Education
    Adding your programs of study, institutions, certifications, and licenses are important. But more important is tying these achievements to a date. This date indicates that the degree or certificate have been earned/completed—the most important detail of this section.

    LinkedIn profile acts like a resume, you should keep it updated and accurate. It is estimated that more than 300 million people use LinkedIn worldwide. If you are looking for an internship, job, or simply want to network, LinkedIn is the place to be.