How to make a successful LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn, the first professional social network which brings together more than 756 million members, including 22 million French people, offers its share of opportunities. Whether in the context of a job search or with a view to business development, LinkedIn facilitates connections and gives access to decision-makers who would have been impossible to contact otherwise.
1 – Have a professional profile picture
LinkedIn is a professional network, so the profile photo must respect this principle. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid:
- Images that represent a landscape, an object or a logo.
- Photos taken in a private setting (restaurant, nightclub or holiday photo).
- Photos in which several people are present.
The LinkedIn profile picture should be a representative portrait of the person. A neutral background and correct dress are to be preferred.
2 – Customize the profile with a cover photo
The cover photo is used to personalize a LinkedIn profile. It is also very useful to differentiate itself from other professionals in its sector.
Unlike the profile photo, the cover photo allows more originality. It can be representative of the vision that the professional has on his profession, be representative of his sector of activity or highlight an inspiring quote.
3 – Customize the profile URL
Few people know it, but it is quite possible to customize the URL address of a LinkedIn profile. It is also recommended to insert a keyword related to your profession or sector of activity in the URL. This has several advantages:
- Customize the LinkedIn profile.
- Show that the functionalities of the platform are mastered.
- Improve the SEO of the LinkedIn profile.
4 – Optimize the title
The title is the line of text that appears between the person's name and their location. Extremely important, it allows LinkedIn to reference the profiles. The title is also an opportunity for professionals to formulate a catchphrase to attract the attention of other members of the network.
Many prospects use the social network to find service providers. The same goes for the recruiters who carry out daily monitoring there. Optimizing the title of your LinkedIn profile then increases your visibility with the right people.
To write a LinkedIn profile title, you must first insert a keyword related to your profession and then use a sentence structure to highlight its added value as in this example: [the profession exercised] | I help [the target customer] achieve [the issue or objective of the target customer].
Example of the structure adapted to a freelance web editor: “Web editor | I write optimized texts to improve the SEO of your website. »
5 – Write the summary well
LinkedIn allows its users to write summaries of up to 1,000 words to introduce themselves. To hold the attention of its reader, this summary must be clear and selling.
- A summary of a successful LinkedIn profile has several key elements:
- information on the background and vision of the professional;
- information on what he has to offer professionally;
- figures that attest to its effectiveness;
- a call to action.
6 – Well build the CV
Even if a LinkedIn profile is much more than an online CV, it is nevertheless necessary to correctly inform your past professional experiences:
- Respect the chronological order of jobs.
- Highlight the missions entrusted.
- Highlight the goals achieved.
- Highlight the skills acquired.
7 – Enrich the profile with content
It is possible to add content to LinkedIn profiles. These contents can be an internet link, a publication or an article published on LinkedIn, a media (image and document).
Enriching a LinkedIn profile with content adds value for the people who consult it. This content can also make it possible to highlight certain elements such as a website or a portfolio.
Note that it is also possible to add content in the CV part of your profile.
9 – Get recommendations
Recommendations are important because they provide evidence of a person's skills and professionalism. This is a big plus, so don't hesitate to reach out to former bosses, colleagues and clients for profile recommendations.
This article has just presented 9 tips to apply for a successful LinkedIn profile. Of course, an impeccable profile is not enough to make the most of the opportunities offered by the professional social network. To go further, download this free guide and learn how to optimize your profile, your business and your network.



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