What's the best way of setting up your LinkedIn Profile?

[northernladuk]

I haven't updated mine for ages but I think I will be steering away from the CV idea. I have to tailor each one to show the skills from old gigs that match the new one. If the role title or activities are considerably different I am worried that an agent, who doesn't know the difference, will think I am lying on my CV because it doesn't match the skills or experience in Linkedin.

I have yet to use linkedin in anger so will need to decide how to present myself so don't get people questioning the differences. At the moment LinkedIn seems more of a bane because of this than it is useful but am sure I can get my head around it.

[saptastic]

Well, I'll admit it - I'm not sure that I'm using LinkedIn to it's best advantage.

I've basically just cut and paste my CV into my profile, but I've seen advice that your profile (certainly the 1st part) should be more informal and 1st person based. Would this be in a narrative style?

I do know that agents are beginning to challenge differences in your CV to your LinkedIn Profile but I think that provided contract dates align you could confidently push back by saying that the 2 are different beasts used for different purposes.

What does the panel think?

I haven't tried so cant recommend - but you can even get a professional Linkedin profile written.

How to write a Linkedin Profile | Technojobs

Its not so much you can get a gig because of it - but potentially you could lose one because of it.

[MyUserName]

I haven't updated mine for ages but I think I will be steering away from the CV idea. I have to tailor each one to show the skills from old gigs that match the new one. If the role title or activities are considerably different I am worried that an agent, who doesn't know the difference, will think I am lying on my CV because it doesn't match the skills or experience in Linkedin.

I have yet to use linkedin in anger so will need to decide how to present myself so don't get people questioning the differences. At the moment LinkedIn seems more of a bane because of this than it is useful but am sure I can get my head around it.

Are you sure you are cut out for contracting?

[cojak]

I haven't tried so cant recommend - but you can even get a professional Linkedin profile written.

How to write a Linkedin Profile | Technojobs

Its not so much you can get a gig because of it - but potentially you could lose one because of it.

That's what I'm on about.

But since I wouldn't expect people to pay for iffy CV advice when they can come here and get battle-hardened contractors telling them what really works for nothing, I thought I'd try the same tack for LinkedIn.

Has writing their profile in a more relaxed, blog-like manner worked for anyone here?

[cojak]

Thanks to all btw, all useful info.

I'm just at the equivalent stage of reducing my 7 pages of cluttered CV to a 3 page elegant missive. The fact that my profile now looks cluttered with my previously 3 page elegant missive has shown me that the 2 media types really do need a separate approach.

[Diver]

2 words

Key Words

[BolshieBastard]

Well, I'll admit it - I'm not sure that I'm using LinkedIn to it's best advantage.

I've basically just cut and paste my CV into my profile, but I've seen advice that your profile (certainly the 1st part) should be more informal and 1st person based. Would this be in a narrative style?

I do know that agents are beginning to challenge differences in your CV to your LinkedIn Profile but I think that provided contract dates align you could confidently push back by saying that the 2 are different beasts used for different purposes.

What does the panel think?

Nooooo!

Just put job title, company worked with and brief role description OR responsibilities and achievements.

Oh, and set your profile so that anyone who links to you doesnt get free access to all your contacts. Agents just love it when you let everyone see your contacts as its easy pickings for them.

[TheFaQQer]

Oh, and set your profile so that anyone who links to you doesnt get free access to all your contacts. Agents just love it when you let everyone see your contacts as its easy pickings for them.

My contacts are private for exactly this reason - I have a few agents in there and want to keep my contacts a bit private. That said, most of the agents I'm connected to already know most of my connections.

[Darksider]

I used to pay for the professional version as it allowed me to track who viewed my profile, which search functions they used to find me etc. Now you get to see the last 5 viewers free. Very handy when looking for new work.

Recommendations on there are definitely worth it as well but lock them down so they're only viewable to people you add and not Joey Public.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

K.I.S.S

Having all your schoolmates and ex-colleges on your profile just looks awful. I'm always very suspicious of people with 100's of linkedIn connections - just seems like sad trolling to me (kind of like these "social networking" sites.)

I completely disagree with this, I try to connect with every person I have done business with and everyone that works in my field that I know about. I also try to connect with people in companies I know might need someone with my skillset one day.

I get all my contracts through linkedin and recommendations, its a shame its not costing £1200 per year to use it.....