How to Choose the Right LinkedIn Photo

June 5, 2016July 9, 2017Leave a comment

So you’ve added a solid Summary, Headline, and Experience to your LinkedIn Profile. What’s next?

A great headshot that exudes leadership qualities, conveys confidence, and makes employers eager to meet you.

If you’re unsure how to select a photo for your LinkedIn Profile, you have plenty of company. Many job seekers pull in a hastily cropped family photograph or select a picture with a vacation scene, rather than taking the time to use the right LinkedIn headshot.

However, just like your best interview suit or a powerfully written Profile, a positive, personality-infused LinkedIn photo can make a great first impression. These tips will help you avoid a LinkedIn photo disaster (especially the kind that turns off potential employers): Continue reading →

How to Convey Your Leadership Brand in Your LinkedIn Profile

March 23, 2016June 18, 2017Leave a comment

Put together a barely-there LinkedIn Profile, but you’re not sure how to expand it or make it stronger?

Nearly every executive I speak with laments the lack of time and ideas for creating an engaging, interesting LinkedIn presence.

Yet, all it takes is a quick glance at your Profile, changing it section by section, until you’re happy with the final result.

Try these strategies for building a strong, relevant portrait of your executive competencies on LinkedIn:

Continue reading →

How to Stop Your Work Anniversary Notifications on LinkedIn

June 14, 2014July 13, 20185 Comments

Annoyed with the flood of “Congratulations!” notes on LinkedIn every time your work anniversary rolls around?

Try removing the Months on your jobs in the Experience section. Navigate to the job on LinkedIn, click the pencil icon to edit the dates, and select “Choose” instead of specifying the month. Hit Save and you’re done!

And don’t stop at this change if LinkedIn isn’t producing the results you want:

7 Phrases to Delete From Your LinkedIn Profile

How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile on The Sly

Are You Faceless on LinkedIn?

Write a Memorable, Knockout LinkedIn Profile Summary

The 5 Most Worthless Phrases in Your LinkedIn Headline

Is Your LinkedIn Photo a Joke?

In a nutshell, use the right type of message and content on LinkedIn to attract your target audience and keep the focus where you want it: on your qualifications.

Need a competitive edge in your job search? My clients win interviews at Fortune 500 firms including Citibank, Google, Disney, and Pfizer, plus niche companies, start-ups, and emerging industry leaders.

As an award-winning executive resume writer and a former recruiter, I create branded, powerful resumes and LinkedIn Profiles that position you as the #1 candidate.

Get in touch with me to experience the outstanding results I can bring to your career transition.

– Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC

How to Block Stalkers on LinkedIn

February 24, 2014March 14, 2014Leave a comment

Waiting for a way to block specific users on LinkedIn? You’ll be happy to hear about LinkedIn’s new Member Blocking feature, which was announced in February 2014.

Hailed by account holders as a significant improvement, Member Blocking allows you to prevent another user from viewing your professional details.

The feature was built in response to a growing volume of requests from LinkedIn users who found that their workplaces, location, and other details were viewable to potentially dangerous contacts.

Member Blocking requires that you visit the Profile page of the offending party, and choose the “Block or report” option from the Send InMail dropdown list.

There’s a bit more to know, however: here’s the lowdown on what REALLY happens when you block another member, with steps to take if you truly want to avoid releasing details to a potential stalker: Continue reading →