5 common LinkedIn mistakes to avoid

1). Bad photo

Don't crop a group photos so that it zooms in on you with the edge of someone else’s t-shirt in shot.

LinkedIn is your professional online portfolio and you should have a professional picture to match.

You can take the photo yourself, just wear a nice outfit, find a blank wall and get someone to take a good photo with a smartphone. 

If in doubt, you can always go black and white.

2). Not using the headline area to its best advantage

There’s an area just below your photo - the headline space - where most people just enter their current job title, but it’s meant to be used as your first pitch, marketing yourself as the superstar that you are.

If you’re a looking for a new job in social media, go from 'Jane Doe - social media writer' to 'Jane Doe - social media writer, strategist and content manager seeking new opportunity.'

3. Not being consistent or having enough detail in your work history

Recruiters will spot gaps and inconsistencies in your work history a mile off.

Make sure you fill in the gaps, if you unemployed for a year, tell them what you were doing and make it sound good. Were you travelling, were you freelancing, were you training and acquiring a new skill?

4). Not customising your URL

Did you know you could go from 'linkedin.com/in/jane-doe-24569785' to 'linkedin.com/in/jane-doe'?

Well, now you do!

Get rid of those messy-looking numbers at the end of your profile and customise your URL to be just your name - if you have a unique name - and if not, then simplify the numbers. 

5). Not having enough recommendations 

Ask colleagues past and present for recommendations and endorsements to boost your profile.

Make sure to ask them to leave enough detail so it gives recruiters an idea of what you’re like to work with and of course, offer to return the favour.