Setting up a LinkedIn® profile was never meant to be a one and done activity. Just because you currently have a job or run a business and aren’t looking to make a change is no reason not to update your LinkedIn® profile.
Below there are 5 reasons why you should change your mindset and update your profile.
Key takeaways of the article:
- Why being relevant matters to career & business success
- Your LinkedIn profile is your digital calling card
- You are more than your resume
- Are you taking advantage of the latest LinkedIn profile features
- Recommendations are your social proof to career advancement & business
Why a LinkedIn® Profile Matters for Professional Success
With over 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn remains the #1 social platform for professionals. If you want to be seen and found in a search for your expertise, enhance your online presence for more opportunities and strengthen your overall brand, updating your profile at least twice a year is a must.
5 Reasons You Should Be Updating Your LinkedIn Profile
1. If you haven’t updated your profile in years, you simply aren’t relevant.
Here’s what I mean…even if you haven’t made a company change, it is 100% likely over the years you have accomplishments, added skills and taken on new roles and responsibilities.
Why it matters: You could experience a sudden layoff as so many did in 2020 and without warning find yourself looking for a new job competing with others who have updated their career journey, noted accomplishments, updated skills that others have endorsed and current recommendations. Without layoffs, if you want to be considered for internal promotions, you will be left behind by those who are more relevant than you.
Source: How to Develop Your Personal Brand & Skills to Land Your Next Job
2. LinkedIn is your digital business card.
We operate in a digital world and people will either look you up on LinkedIn or ‘Google’ search you and in that case, your LinkedIn profile will come up in the first search result by your name. (Go ahead and try it)
In fact, because LinkedIn ranks so highly on Google, your profile often shows up first when someone searches your name—making your profile your digital first impression.
Why it matters: You either are or are not creating a great digital first impression.
You have about 7 seconds or less for a visitor to your LinkedIn profile to make a decision about you and whether they want to scroll and learn more. If your profile is outdated with no header background image, current profile photo or refreshed headline then the signal you are sending is one of complacency about who you are and what you do.
In today’s world, good enough is NOT good enough to get noticed. You want to build your online brand year after year.
3. Your profile reads like a resume.
You are so much more than your resume which typically is filled with historical descriptions of your past roles. You are a brand and not a resume!
Today’s top performers are positioning themselves as thought leaders, not job seekers. According to Business Insider, optimizing your headline and About section with clear, compelling messaging helps you stand out and attract the right opportunities.
Why it matters: Past roles should highlight key accomplishments and not long-drawn-out narratives on what you did in your role. Think differently about what happened because of you? Quantify your accomplishments by highlighting things like the number of people you led in your team, what percentage of savings your actions played a part in or the percentage of sales growth that occurred because of you.
4. You haven’t implemented the latest LinkedIn profile feature into your profile.
LinkedIn® has made hundreds of changes to the platform each year for the past few years. Some of those changes have been to the LinkedIn profile itself. Some of the best features are:
- Add a headline not just a title to highlight your expertise
- Top 5 skills added to your About section
- Featured section – showcase your work
- Skills – update & apply skills to each section of your profile
- Verification of your profile – authenticating you vs many fake profiles now showing up
When you haven’t added the newest features to your profile, you simply don’t appear relevant.
5. You have no recommendations or yours are many years old.
This again speaks to your relevancy, credibility and trustworthiness. We care about and make decisions based on the opinions of other people, so recommendations matter to gaining a promotion or a new client.
Why it matters: Your recommendations reassure the company you work for or the clients you want to attract that others value your work by providing social proof. People are promoted when others have spoken about their skills, the same for attracting clients – people want to buy from others that are spoken about in a positive way.
Social proof matters. LCS reports that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to evaluate candidates—and glowing recommendations can tip the scale in your favor when seeking a promotion or landing a client.
Conclusion
Staying current on LinkedIn® isn’t just a best practice, it’s essential. Whether you’re actively job hunting, growing your business, or simply wanting to stay visible in your industry, updating your LinkedIn profile gives you a competitive edge. A current, compelling profile shows you’re relevant, active, and invested in your professional brand. Don’t wait until you need a change—stay ready by keeping your profile fresh and aligned with where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.
Feeling overwhelmed about where to start with your LinkedIn profile, or unsure what to write that is meaningful? Don’t tackle it alone, I can help
tell your story that gains more visibility and builds trust.
RESOURCE: https://joannefunch.com/done-for-you-profile-update/
FAQ’s
LinkedIn personal branding is how you intentionally present yourself on the platform to reflect your expertise, values, and the unique value you offer, helping you attract the right opportunities and connections.
Yes, regular updates ensure your profile reflects your current skills, achievements, and goals, which helps you stay competitive and relevant in your industry.
Absolutely, an updated LinkedIn profile increases your visibility to recruiters, hiring managers, and referrals, making it easier for the right opportunities to find you.
