Create your LinkedIn profile

Fine-tune your profile, whether you’re on LinkedIn to explore careers or find a job. It’s important and useful.

• The professionals you connect with will view your profile. It is better to make a good impression, regardless of whether you are looking for work.
• LinkedIn is a public tool that is used by various types of professionals, such as recruiters, as well as by visitors who want to learn more about you for a selection process (e.g. a competition).
• A strong and complete profile is more likely to be at the top of search results.

So make sure to complete each section properly. Specifically, avoid language mistakes, strong opinions and publications that don’t reflect well on you.

A LinkedIn profile functions much like a CV, except that instead of being adapted to a job offer, it is adapted to your career objective. This is the objective that you will place in your title and your summary, and that will be reflected throughout your profile.

When you apply to a company, there is a strong chance that the recruiter will be checking your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that your profile covers your various objectives and does not contradict any information on your CV.

No photo in your profile? You run the risk of the visitor thinking that your profile is incomplete and weak. This could work against you.

Professionals who view your profile want to be able to put a face to a name. This is what they expect:

• Your face is distinguishable.
• You have a real smile.
• Your photo is appropriate. No frowning, duckfaces, sunglasses, inappropriate backgrounds, plunging necklines, excessive make-up or photos of your graduation ceremony.

Make sure your About section is polished—its your preview. In addition, recruiters are much more likely to read a profile when there is an About section to give them an idea if the person is a good candidate.

• This is the place to show your ability to stand out. The form here is more flexible. For example, you can write in the first person, write a structured text, or talk about yourself.
• Using key words in line with your career objective will increase the chance of your profile showing up in search results.

The following are some examples of what to write in your About section:

• Your objectives: career objectives and target fields and sectors
• Your main areas of interest
• Aspects of your CV: achievements, training, experience, titles or certifications, transferable skills, computer skills, distinctions (e.g. awards, scholarships or medals)
• Anecdotes that reflect well on you

Are you just starting your career or looking for a new direction? It is crucial indicate your career objective in your title rather than the position you currently hold.

If you are looking for a specific position, say so. If you do not yet have experience in this job, use the terms “future” or “aspiring,” for example:

• Aspiring IT project manager
• Future business analyst
• Aspiring marketing coordinator

Focus on what sets you apart, for example:

• a certification (SAP, PMP)
• your membership with a professional order (CHRP, CPA)
• an award (winner of the APICS International Case Competition).

Don't want to limit yourself to a single type of position? Interested in a range of positions in a particular field? Name the specific field.

• Recruitment – Staffing – Talent Acquisition
• Investment banks – mergers and acquisitions
• Business development – import-export
• Marketing coordination – product management

Do not include information that is obvious or already stated in your profile:

• HEC Montréal student – this is already written in your profile and is not part of your objective.
• Looking for new challenges – this won't make you stand out.

Your skills and recommendations are key components of your profile. They emphasize and enhance your credibility. Ask for recommendations from your colleagues, managers, partners or professors.

A recommendation has a great deal of value in and of itself.

Your skills must recognized by many other people if they are to hold any value.

Some people have a hyphenated name or more than one first or middle name. This can result in their names not appearing exactly the same on each tool. which can hinder a search for their profile. If this applies to you, make sure to use exactly the same name in every tool (CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, business card).