5 Ways to Spring Clean your LinkedIn Profile

5 Ways to Spring Clean your LinkedIn Profile5 Ways to Spring Clean your LinkedIn Profile3If youre like many people, you have a fairly decent LinkedIn profile. Its (somewhat) up-to-date, and you check it whenever you receive a Please add me to your LinkedIn network email or a Congratulate _________ on the new position email. But frankly, your LinkedIn upkeep ends there. Thing is, if your profile is not completely current, then youre missing out on opportunities for networking with new people and possibly finding a new job. So dust the cobwebs off of your LinkedIn profile and get it nice and sparkly clean with these tips.Fill out your LinkedIn profile completely.It goes without saying that your profile on LinkedIn should be completely filled out. That said, its estimated that only half of users have a 100 percent completed profile. Not only does having a complete profile make you look mora professional, it also makes you that much more searchable, both on the site and via Google. So be sure to fill out all of the fields. Too time-consuming? Here are the most important sections to completeYour industry and locationTwo previous employersYour education (including awards)Your skills (at least 3)A professional profile photoAt least 50 connectionsGrow your network.Up until now, your professional network has mostly consisted of college friends, a few former colleagues, and the occasional odd request from a complete stranger. Youll need to make your network more focused if you want to attract the eye of a tauglichkeit hiring manager, though. After all, if your network doesnt really have a common underlying theme (such as writing or web design), then it wont tell people who you really are in the professional world- and why they should want to know you. So reach out to a few key people whom you would like to get to know, send a small note (dont use the pre-generated LinkedIn one), and watch your network grow.Join a group.Its important to join groups that fit in with your i ndustry. By joining a LinkedIn group, you not only create a larger LinkedIn presence, but you can take the opportunity to become an expert in your, well, area of expertise. Believe it or not, hiring managers stalk these circles looking for potential new hires. If youre more of a low-key type, you can join groups and learn from other thought leaders, which can also boost your knowledge.Follow the leader. LinkedIn is all about creating connections with people you know- and people you want to know. While its frowned upon to friend a potential boss on Facebook, theres absolutely nothing wrong with sending a request on LinkedIn. You can also follow the persons company to show your interest.Get your recs.One of the best ways to establish credibility is by having online recommendations on your LinkedIn profile. You can ask former bosses and colleagues for one- and offer one in exchange to sweeten the deal. If they can offer endorsements for some of your top skills, thats even better. The m ore people who vouch for you as a worker, the more professional you appear- and the more hiring managers will take notice.LinkedIn is one of the best ways to build your network as you job search. So as youre cleaning out your home schreibstube for spring, shake some of the winter doldrums off of your LinkedIn profile- and watch new contacts and connections blossom.Readers, have you filled out your LinkedIn profile completely? How do you utilize this social media tool for finding a job? Let us know in the comments section below