LinkedIn has come a long way since its inception in 2002. Today, with over 830 million members across more than 200 countries, it has become the standard bearer of professional social networking. As executive search consultants, we have reviewed thousands of LinkedIn profiles, and we have seen a common trend – profiles that are incomplete, outdated, or simply not engaging.
It’s essential to understand why you are on LinkedIn. Is it to grow and maintain a professional network, sell products and services, search for jobs, research, build your brand, or learn and educate others? Whatever your reason, it’s crucial to maintain an up-to-date and complete profile on LinkedIn if you plan on engaging in any of the mentioned activities.
An incomplete or outdated profile can hurt your chances of making the most of LinkedIn. If you have a sparse profile with few connections, your search results may be limited, and your engagement with your network will be limited too. So, it’s crucial to keep your profile up to date.
Updating your company page is equally important. For instance, if you’re seeking external investment in your firm, potential investors will likely review your company’s website, the profiles of people that work at your firm, and your company’s LinkedIn page. An outdated company page may send a negative message to potential investors.
In addition, if you’re looking to recruit for a position, an outdated or incomplete profile may hurt your chances of finding the right candidate. A profile with little to no detail or activity history may give the impression that the candidate is not actively seeking opportunities, or worse, not qualified for the position.
Engaging with your network is also critical. LinkedIn expert writer and editor, Heidi Scott Giusto, PhD, offers up a great strategy in her blog post, “7 LinkedIn Content Sharing Ideas for Reluctant Users.” This post can help you engage with your network and grow your professional presence.
In conclusion, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for professionals across the globe. But having an incomplete or outdated profile can hurt your chances of making the most of it. So, it’s crucial to maintain an up-to-date and complete profile on LinkedIn and engage with your network to achieve your professional goals.
If you need help with your LinkedIn profile or want to understand how you can overcome some of these issues, please contact us.