There are different levels of LI optimization which determine how effective your profile is when it comes to attracting the opportunities you want and connecting you with the right people. Below, you will find a rubric that I’ve put together from my own perspective. Keep in mind there is no monopoly of knowledge and I am not the authority on LinkedIn. You too will gain your own experiences to expand on and better apply this knowledge.

  1. Optimized: Optimized CV/Résumé + Optimized LI Profile (+ Engagement and Posting and Blogging on LinkedIn Articles)
  2. High Road: Optimized CV/Résumé + LI Profile + LI Engagement (Comment, Like, Share, etc.)
  3. Middle of the Road: Optimized CV/Résumé + LI Profile (Bullet points under work XP + Sample Files in Featured)
  4. Low Road: Optimized CV/Résumé + Basic LI Profile

Putting Yourself Out There on LI

You can share whatever you feel like sharing. A good place to start is sharing things you already come across in your own time. This way, you don’t have to think about what to share.

Engagement: Comments, Reactions, DMs, InMail

Reposting: Online Articles, YouTube Videos, Academic Papers, LI Posts from Connections, Content from other Social Media Platforms, etc.

Posting: Blog Reposts, Original Opinions, LinkedIn Articles, LinkedIn Articles Newsletters

LI is an engagement-driven platform.

HR LI Dealbreakers

HR personnel check LI when assessing candidates to see if they know how to market themselves and understand how to make LI work to their advantage. In other words, to see if candidates are savvy LI users.

To succeed, position yourself as an expert/specialist, spark curiosity in the profile viewer and network with people you interact with and even those you don’t. Start form the inside out.

Personal Brand

Having a personal brand really sets you apart from other candidates who have not established themselves as such yet. Remember to move at your own pace and build up to this point. You are not losing or missing out if you are not doing this at this point in time. At every stage, there is something you can do to give yourself a competitive edge in the job market.