This has been a year of big LinkedIn changes, and with this change comes great opportunities for you in 2013 and beyond.  

To help you find those opportunities, I am going to be presenting a one-time-only seminar in Milwaukee the morning of November 14 called “Your LinkedIn Strategy: What’s changed in 2012 and what is new for 2013.” So if you are in the area, be sure to register soon as space is limited.  

Speaking of LinkedIn changes, you may have already caught wind of the fact that LinkedIn is rolling out the biggest changes ever to our profiles. Yes, your new profile will look significantly different from the current version. To learn more and get in line for your new profile, click here.

I will be sure to share my question marks thoughts and strategy ideas/changes with you once most people are on the new profile platform. But until then I want to address something that will be the same no matter which version you are on, and it ties back to a question I get all the time from my audiences:

. 

“What information should I include on my LinkedIn profile?”

As a general rule, if your answer to either or both of these questions is “Yes,” you should include it on your profile:

1.  Does putting this on my profile add to my story or increase my credibility? 
2.  Does putting this on my profile make it easier for people to find me?   

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Here are some of the questions I’m asked on a regular basis:
 
Should I include my high school?           
 
          People will find you when searching for your school, and people love doing business with fellow alumni.

Should I include my Rotary Club membership?

           People will find you when searching for other Rotarians, and people do like to do business with like-minded fellow club members. Also, others in the community will respect you for helping others. 

Should I include all the jobs I’ve ever had?

           When adding connections, many people look for individuals they’ve worked with in the past. This will obviously help your past colleagues find you. Also, your job experiences help you tell your story, and information you share might be just what a viewer of your profile is looking for. 

Should I include the awards I won ten years ago at a prior job?

         Awards enhance your credibility and add to your story even if they are unrelated to your current job duties.

Should I include specific industry training programs?

          It will obviously enhance your credibility and increase your chances of being found when someone is searching for people with that specific type of training.

Should I include certifications I hold?

         Certifications are instant proof of credibility, and people will search for professionals with those credentials.

Should I include local groups or associations I currently belong to or have belonged to in the past?

          Because people like doing business with others who have the same interests and affiliations, including your groups and associations could open the door. This is also another way to enhance your credibility. 
         
Should I include personal hobbies or interests that are totally unrelated to my current job?              
          When I was looking for an architect to join me in a charity bicycling event my company was sponsoring, LinkedIn helped me find an avid biker. So believe me when I tell you a few personal items may help you be found and lead to a productive business relationship or your next great job.  

Bottom line:  If you’ve done it, you’re proud of it, and you want the professional world to know about it, put it on your LinkedIn profile!