If you are concerned about advancing your career, having a profile on LinkedIn is a necessity. It is a place where you can sell yourself and your expertise. But to get the most out of LinkedIn, you need to be sure to update your profile on a regular basis. Here are things to look at

1. Your photograph
Your photo on LinkedIn shows you with that beard you grew last summer. The problem is, you shaved it off in the fall. Or you have a simple head shot of yourself. You could use something a little more professional looking, maybe a shot of you giving a presentation. Also, don’t use a group picture.

2. Bring your summary up to date.
Make sure your list of skills and accomplishments is current. And if you haven’t bothered to write a summary, take the time to put one together.

3. Tighten up your writing
Look for descriptions or words that really don’t add anything to your background. If you have descriptions like creative, team player, innovative, energetic, get rid of them. Replace these vague place markers with concrete, specific examples that show your creativity, your energy, and how you work with others.

4. Don’t forget to include volunteer work.
This is another way of showing your skills and experience.

5. Make sure your list of skills is current.
It is vital to keep your skills up to date because it is a favorite place for recruiters to check out.

If you are not sure how to express a particular skill – and this sometimes happens because the way skills are described can change – you can use the LinkedIn skill search applications for assistance. You just enter the general type of skill into the skills search box, and the application will compare the type of skill you entered with others descriptions to determine which version is the most popular.

6. Add any recent training.
If you have taken any courses online or acquired any certifications, make sure you include them as well.

7. Ask and answer questions on LinkedIn
This is a great way to highlight your expertise and will impress recruiters.

If you are looking for work in the New York City area, Winston Resources is the place to go. Winston has the experience and expertise to find the right job for you. We know the New York job market, and we know what employers are looking for. Give Winston a call today