If you haven't touched your LinkedIn profile in months or years, it's time to take action.
Think of it like a makeover for your professional image.
The site has steadily transformed its profile pages from simple resumes to a smorgasbord of n interactive tools for job seeking and networking.
It's no longer enough to just list your past jobs and schooling.
But you have to log onto the site and use these tools.
Ready?
Update your photo
Nothing says fresh like a new photo. This isn't Facebook, but that's no reason to stick with a stiff, boring head shot. Pick a photo that shows you off well, in a professional light.
Think: not blurry, not a group shot, not a pic with your girlfriend/boyfriend, or you wearing something you can't wear to work ... you get the idea.
Freshen up your summary
What's the biggest accomplishment you had in 2012? The Summary section is the place to tell folks about it.
If you haven't filled out a summary yet, write one. If you wrote one last year, update it.
Kill the 2012 and 2011 buzzwords
Is your profile filled with old buzzwords? They make you sound old, out of touch.
So kill them, kill them dead.
According to LinkedIn they are: creative, organizational, effective, extensive experience, track record, motivated, innovative, problem solving, communication skills, dynamic.
Other buzzwords to avoid include: results oriented, team player, self-starter, multitasking.
Most of them are adjectives trying to describe you. Instead use action words—preferably verbs—that show your accomplishments. Here's a good list of them from Money Zine.
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