Here are a few tips for writing a successful profile headline: Your headline should also illustrate the value you bring to the table. The keywords you choose for your headline should be relevant and important to your job function, expertise, and/or industry and your headline can maximize the 220 character limit if needed. Not only should your LinkedIn headline show your professional expertise, but it should also contain specific keywords that will help you appear higher in LinkedIn searches by recruiters or hiring managers. It is tied to its search algorithm and is one of the most visible sections of your profile. Your LinkedIn profile headline is what sets you apart from other job seekers in the social media cluster. ‍ Your LinkedIn headline also shows up in the results of Google and other search engines so we recommend adding keywords if possible. The more compelling that headline is, the more likely they'll take the next step in their LinkedIn searches to click into your profile and learn more. ‍ Think of your LinkedIn headline as a one-line resume to entice recruiters and hiring managers to learn more about you. And, you should! LinkedIn is an important tool for job searching, and it's critical to level up the information above. ‍ You've even utilized the 'Featured' section to highlight the top posts and content you've created. You've sourced recommendations from your peers and previous managers. You've built out your Experience section with multiple keywords that recruiters and hiring managers are looking for. You've written your bio in the About section, crafting it in a way that tells your story and what you bring to the table. ‍ As part of your job search to-do list, you've given your LinkedIn profile a complete overhaul. And when someone searches for you there, your headline is one of the first pieces of information people see about you - along with your name and photo. In addition to being a professional network, LinkedIn is a search engine. Your facial expression should be smiling to show that you are someone who is friendly, trustworthy, and likable. Avoid photos that show you from far away, have busy backgrounds, or where you are not making direct eye contact with the camera. Have someone take the photo for you or set a timer. Use soft natural lighting and avoid any photos that look like a selfie. You should crop the photo from the top of your shoulders to just above your head so that it looks like a headshot. For the photo to look professional, choose a plain background and make sure your face fits 60% of the frame. The ideal size of a LinkedIn profile picture is 400 x 400 pixels. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a professional photo with the available features on many smartphones and cameras today, such as the ability to take portrait shots where the background is blurred out. You want to wear attire that shows you as the professional you want to portray to your LinkedIn network and relevant industries/companies. Investing in a good profile photo makes sense since your photo is your first chance to show your professional brand visually. An easy place to start is with your profile picture.

LinkedIn profile optimization is a crucial step of the job search process to ensure that your profile is visible to recruiters and sending the right message.

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