As we build the various components to your profile, we'll start at the top and work our way down. Your profile is laid out in the following structure:

Background Photo

Not to be confused with your profile picture, your background photo is a way to visually showcase your professional experience and/or aspirations. Think of it like your personal billboard. It provides key information you want others to see at a glimpse.

It might include location (ex: the city skyline where you live or plan to live), target industry (ex: image inside a large warehouse for logistics roles), areas of specialization, relevant education or certifications, or a short 5-10 word personal pitch.

You can find images to use in your background photo by doing a Google search for "royalty-free images." Popular sites include Pexels, Pixabay, and Unsplash. Each site allows you to easily search by keyword.

Alternatively, you can use a site like Canva to fully customize your own version. They have pre-made templates, which provide a good starting point. While it's free to create a Canva account, there is a paid version (~$15 per month) with expanded features and components.

Profile Picture

Next on your to-do list is adding a profile picture. Keep the saying, "dress for the job you want," in mind as you think about your picture.

Your photo doesn't have to be a headshot from an expert photographer, but it should look professional. That means appropriate attire, a non-distracting background, well-lit, and not cropped from a group photo.

If you have the budget, you can consider hiring a professional photographer. You may also be able to find a local veteran-focused organization that offers them at free or discounted rates. Alternatively, Canva's paid option allows you to remove and replace image backgrounds.

You might notice the green #OpenToWork and purple #Hiring banners around profile pictures of some users. LinkedIn provides 2 options for letting others know you are open to new opportunities.

The first option let's all users know and adds the green #OpenToWork banner to your profile picture. The second option is more discreet, allowing only recruiters to know you are open to opportunities and does not add the green banner to your picture.

Headline

Your headline appears below your picture and name on your profile. This is one of the most important areas of your profile. It provides an opportunity to immediately highlight what you want others to know about you.

Many people start their headline by listing their job title and employer. You can supplement that with keywords, skills, and certifications that are relevant to the industry and role you're targeting.

Remember that recruiters often filter their search by keywords. Including industry-specific keywords you have experience in can improve your search rankings. Since a portion of your headline shows up in LinkedIn searches, it's an easy way for others to identify your key qualifications, experience, and skills.

If you're pivoting into a new industry / career path and aren't sure what to include, read through existing job postings in that area. Pay particular attention to the qualifications and responsibilities listed. What keywords keep coming up? If you possess them, consider adding them to your headline.

Location

Recruiters, as well as other users, can search by location. Aside from connecting with people in your local area, making sure your location is up to date ensures you show up in the correct search results for recruiters.

If you're planning to move to another area of the country in the next few months, it can be advantageous to list the new area for your location.

Featured Section

The featured section is an area to pin resources and previous posts you want others to see. Although optional, this is an opportunity to highlight things like a personal website, portfolio, GitHub page, articles you are mentioned in, or even a personal blog or YouTube channel if it focuses on relevant career topics.

About Section

The about section is similar to the summary section of your resume. It provides an overview of your experience, qualifications, and career goals. Unlike the summary section of your resume, the About section on your LinkedIn profile can be much longer (up to 2,600 characters).

Although you aren't limited to a few sentences, you still want the most important information up front. Imagine a recruiter visits your page and has 30 seconds to learn more about you. What do you want them to know right away?

Your About section is another area to include relevant keywords. Even if profile viewers don't read this section entirely, the keywords still contribute to your search rankings.

Your LinkedIn Profile: Part 1

If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, there's no better time to set on up.